Arthritis can be a
debilitating disease,  but new treatments and techniques are available to
help. Because more than 100 forms of the disease exist, it is important
to receive a correct diagnosis and begin treatment as early as possible.
If detected early, pain and joint damage can often be reduced.
Treatment may include:
- Diagnosis and treatment by rheumatologist
- DXA bone density testing
- IV Infusion Treatment
Arthritis Community Services
Arthritis Community Services
includes the Northwest Missouri Regional
Arthritis Center (NWMRAC) and
services provided by the Midland Empire Arthritis Center Fund.
Northwest Missouri Regional Arthritis Center
The Northwest
Missouri Regional Arthritis Center (NWMRAC) is one of seven such
regional centers established in Missouri. The center is designed to
offer arthritis education and outreach programs to people with
arthritis, community members, allied health professionals, and
physicians.
The NWMRAC serves a 12-county area including: Nodaway, Andrew, Buchanan,
Atchison, Holt, Gentry, Harrison, Worth, Dekalb, Daviess, Caldwell and
Clinton counties.
If you need more information about the disease or any programs available
through the Center, call the Northwest Regional Arthritis
office at:
(816) 271-7057
Monday-Friday
8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
or write to:
Northwest Missouri Regional Arthritis Center
802 N. Riverside, Suite 225
St. Joseph, MO 64507
Go to NWMRAC
to view our newsletter, articles and upcoming programs.
Facing Facts...
Arthritis does have many faces, and because of
this, it is the number one crippling disease throughout the state of
Missouri. More than 1.4 million Missourians have arthritis, that’s one
in every six people. Based on a survey done by the Missouri Arthritis
Program, this equals about one out of every three persons over 18 years
of age. In addition, there could be as many as 5,000 children in the
state afflicted as well, and the number of diagnosed cases keeps
growing.
In 1995, Missouri established the Juvenile Arthritis Service
Coordination Program. Working in conjunction with the Bureau of Special
Healthcare Needs, the program offers service benefits to children with
arthritis while providing information and support to their families.
There are as many different causes of the disease as there are types,
but it is believed that three major factors play vital roles in certain
forms of arthritis:
- Genetics
- What happens to you
- How you live
Attending educational offerings can help you learn more about arthritis,
how to spot it, what to do, and how our services can benefit you.
Looking At Figures...
- Arthritis is a term that refers to more than 100 related Rheumatic
diseases, each with different symptoms and patterns and each
requiring different treatments.
- Arthritis affects more than 46 million Americans.
- Arthritis affects people of all age groups, including as many as 294,000 children.
- In the workplace, arthritis is responsible for the annual loss of
45 million work days, $127.8 billion in lost wages and medical care.
- Overall, arthritis costs the American economy an estimated $128
billion a year.
- Arthritis constitutes the most widespread crippling disease in
Missouri.
Warning Signs of Arthritis
- Pain
- Stiffness
- Swelling (sometimes)
- Difficulty moving a joint
Everyone should be aware of these warning signs of arthritis and see a
doctor should they appear and last more than two weeks. These symptoms
can develop suddenly or slowly. Only a doctor can tell if it’s
arthritis.
Reaching Out...
Services available at the Arthritis Center:
- Free Information - Facts about, and advice on how to cope
with arthritis are available at the various literature sites which
are maintained in the area.
- Joint Venture Newsletter
- Joint Venture Library
- Self Help Aids
- Speaker’s Bureau - Featuring professionals who will speak
on arthritis-related topics for clubs, community organizations or
religious gatherings.
- Community Education - Conducted by physicians and other
healthcare professionals who work daily with people suffering from
arthritis.
- Group Activity Classes - Adult and child water exercises,
AF Exercise, Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Disease self-management
courses and arthritis toolkit.
- Referrals - For early diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitative
care, and other appropriate community resources.
- Juvenile Arthritis - Quarterly Pediatric Rheumatology
Clinic; Carol Lindsley, MD, Pediatric Rheumatologist.
- Patee Market Healthcare Center - An indigent clinic
providing health benefits for people with arthritis.
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