Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a major cause of disability affecting about 1% of the population. Although much effort has been expended on research into the causes and cures of RA, little progress has been made. The focus of treatment in RA is on reducing the disabling consequences of the disease and controlling the symptoms.Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis examines the nature of RA and its symptoms of pain and stiffness. The role of health care professionals and the indivi...

Originally published in 1984, this book focuses, firstly, on how patients interpret and act in response to symptoms of illness; secondly on how social and psychological factors influence the treatment process; and thirdly, on certain kinds of illness where the psychosocial perspective is of particular importance to the providers of health care – for example, chronic or particularly disabling illnesses. It demonstrates how essential it is to bring an interdisciplinary perspective from the s...

The use of home detoxification enables health care workers to avoid episodes of in-patient care, with its inherent high costs and secondary problems of label attachment and possible stigmatization. Patients, their carers (professional, voluntary and domestic), families and friends all involved in this 'at-home' process, thereby leading to empowerment and increased compliance. This book provides practical advice and guidance. If all the procedures here are followed, the care worker of whate...