How to Wear a Scarf

By Cynthia Nellis, About.com Guide

Do Choose a Sophisticated Monochromatic Look

Tone-on-tone scarf and outfit looks work best with neutrals -- black, navy, camel, cream -- and take on a sophisticated vibe when you mix fabrics (satin, shine, wool, etc.) Charlize Theron's all-black is elegant because she paired a long knit scarf with a metallic jacket. 

Get This Look: Take a long scarf and hold it in front of you. Twist it a few times in the middle, then toss the ends straight over your back. Bring each end back to the front on the opposite side and leave the ends to dangle.


Don't Think a Scarf Can Save a Bad Outfit

Even gorgeous Faith Hill looks frumpy in a voluminous shirt and skinny scarf.

Faux Pas to Fab: Save skinny scarves for more fitted tops and jackets. Although monochromatic looks can be chic, they can also be boring unless you mix textures.


Do Wear a Flattering Color Next to Your Face

A flattering pop of color -- like Anjelica Huston's choice of a red scarf -- can add lots of excitement to a winter coat look.

Get This Look: Wear a long, fringed winter scarf -- in cashmere, blends, wool or knit -- tied once close to your neck to get this look.


Don't Overwhelm Your Look with a Scarf

It may have been a stab at being trendy, but Julianne Moore's oversized scarf looks like it's choking her.  

Faux Pas to Fab: Skip the trend of giant knotted scarves on your neck, and go for a more timeless look with a simply draped or tied scarf.


Do Make a Scarf Your Spotlight Accessory

Olivia Palermo's white scarf, which contrasts nicely with her black pantsuit, is all she needs for a sophisticated evening look.  

Get This Look: Start with a long scarf, holding it midpoint in front of your neck. Toss the ends over your back, then pull the ends forward on the opposite sides of your shoulder and leave the ends to dangle.


Don't Throw on a Scarf as an Afterthought

Throwing on a random scarf with an cocktail dress doesn't work for Diane Krueger.

Faux Pas to Fab: Eveningwear works best with a pashmina shawl, gracefully draped around the shoulders.


Do Wear a Scarf for Dressy Events

Cameron Diaz adds color and warmth with a scarf tossed over a dress.  

Get This Look: Use a larger scarf or shawl and toss the ends over each side. You can use a decorative brooch to keep it in place.


Don't Overaccessorize

A scarf and a floppy hat for Naomi Watts is too much of a good thing (it's only a pair of sunglasses short of looking like a disguise).  

Faux Pas to Fab: Wear a smaller brimmed or knit hat with a large scarf so the two accessories don't compete with each other.


Do Try a Print Scarf

Kelly Osbourne's natty Burberry plaid scarf sets off her coat perfectly.  

Get This Look: Loosely drape a long scarf around the front of your neck, pulling the ends over opposite sides and letting them hang free.

Children's Shoe Size Conversion Chart - Inches to International

Boys and Girls Shoe Sizes

By Desiree Stimpert, About.com Guide

When shopping for children's shoes online, or around the world, the numbers can get kind of confusing; in addition to manufacturer's variations, there are different shoe size charts.

The following chart will help you convert kids' shoe sizes, but remember, the best way to get the proper fit is by having your child try on the shoes, or to measure your child's feet and compare those measurements to the size charts offered by the manufacturer.

If you do by online, be sure to check for a return policy in case the shoes don't fit.

After checking the chart below, you may want to check out these Children's Shoe Shopping Tips.

 

Boys and Girls Conversion Chart

 

Inches	US / Canada	Europe	Japan	UK
5.38	6.5	23	-	5.5
5.56	7	23.5	14	6
5.75	7.5	24	-	6.5
5.88	8	24.5	15	7
6.06	8.5	25	-	7.5
6.25	9	25.5	16	8
6.38	9.5	26	-	8.5
6.47	10	26.5	16.5	9
6.67	10.5	27	-	9.5
6.83	11	27.5	17.5	10
6.98	11.5	28	-	10.5
7.14	12	28.5	18.5	11
7.30	12.5	29	-	11.5
7.46	13	30	19	12
7.77	1	31	20	13
7.93	1.5	31.5	20.5	13
8.09	2	32.5	21	1
8.25	2.5	33	21.5	1.5
8.40	3	33.5	22	2

Character Shoes Your Kids will Love

By Desiree Stimpert, About.com Guide

When it comes to kids' shoes, it can be hard to make both you and your child happy. Kids' shoes need to be durable, but if you want to avoid a scene at the shoe store, you might want to consider shoes that will also make your children happy.

Let's face it, we all want our shoes to look good, and kids are no different! These top character shoes will make everyone happy.

 

1. Spiderman Kid's Shoes will Delight Young Super Heroes

If your kid loves Spiderman, these kid's shoes will definitely do the trick. With a cool slip-on style and rubber outsoles, these shoes are mostly black with Spiderman images on the vamp.

2. Meow Kitty Rain Boots from Western Chief

Some of the cutest rainboots I've ever seen, and will brighten even the greyest of days. Pink with a cat face on the vamp, and cat tail winding up the side, these children's rain boots even have handles to make pulling them on a breeze.

3. Hannah Montana Shoes

These cute sneakers feature every girls' favorite pop star on the side, and lots of pink accents. The double mary jane straps are a nice touch, and the rhinestone accents are sure to please.

4. Hello Kitty Boots for Rain and Fun

These rain boots are so cute I can hardly stand it, and they're sure to please little Hello Kitty fans in your own house as well. Available in toddler and youth sizes, the best part is they're totally practical too.

5. Pirates of The Caribbean Shoes for Kids

Classic sneakers with a Pirates of The Caribbean theme, these black lace-ups feature a skull and cross bones on the side, and plenty of personality to boot.

Children's Shoes

Tips & Advice for Choosing the Right Shoes for Children

By Desiree Stimpert, About.com Guide

Unlike many adults, kids don't really enjoy shopping for shoes. But at the rate they outgrow them, trying shoes on is absolutely essential for growing feet. Here are some tips that will help you be certain that your children's shoes fit properly, and remove some of the nightmare elements of shopping for kids' shoes. 

When to Buy New Shoes for Your Child

Unless your child complains that they are uncomfortable, you may not know when it's time for a new pair of shoes.

It's a good idea to periodically check your children's shoes to make sure what they're wearing is still working for them.

Look for particularly worn areas, or stressed seams. If the sides are bulging or wearing out more quickly than the rest of the shoe, then they may not be wide enough. Toes that bend upwards are also a sign of shoes that don't fit properly, and worn out toes or heels can also mean it's time for a new pair of shoes.

 

Shopping Tips for Children's Shoes

• Shoe shopping should always be done later in the afternoon or evening, since feet swell over the course of the day.


• If you're child is particularly not into shoe shopping, look for a store that specializes in children's footwear, as the staff should be well-versed in how to deal with the reluctant shoe shopper.


• While there are so many cute and trendy shoes available for kids, unless it's for a very special occasion, it's best to avoid overspending as children outgrow shoes so quickly and new shoe occasions are seemingly always right around the corner.

 

Getting the Right Fit in Kids' Shoes

• Have your children's feet measured when buying shoes, since what might seem comfortable to them for a minute or two in the store is very different from what will be comfortable after a day of playing. Feet should be measured while standing, and always have both feet measured. Since one foot is usually larger than the other, buy shoes to accommodate the larger of the two feet.


• When your child is wearing the shoes, and their feet are fully extended (watch for toe crunching!), there should be a bit of room between the edge of the shoe toe and the edge of your child's toes - about a half inch.


• With the rate children outgrow shoes, it's probably tempting to buy shoes that are too big, but you should never buy shoes that are more than one size too large for your child. Shoes that are too big can cause a child to trip and develop foot problems while trying to walk in shoes that are too large.


• Obviously a shoe that has too tight of a heel will cause discomfort, but having shoes that are too loose is also very problematic. The heel of the shoes should rest snugly but not tightly around your the back of the child's heel.


• As adults, we often say we're "breaking in" a pair of shoes - this is really a bad idea for anyone, but particularly for kids. Shoes need to be immediately comfortable - don't allow for a breaking in period or expect shoes to get more comfortable over time - they need to fit and feel good now.

 

Choosing Shoes for Children

• Children's shoes should have laces, velcro or some other fastening system. As a general rule, avoid backless or slip-on shoes for kids.


• Look for shoes made from breathable materials, such such as canvas or leather. In addition to being more durable, they will help to keep the child's foot cooler and dryer, helping to prevent blisters, discomfort, and smelly shoes.


• While they may look cute, always avoid heels on children's shoes. Not only is it difficult for kids to walk in heels, they are particularly bad for proper foot development. When it comes to children's shoes, stick with flats and even soles.


• Look for a pattern or textured sole, as this will provide traction and help prevent your child from easily slipping on slick surfaces.


• Soles should be sturdy and thick enough to protect the feet from pain and injury, but the sole also needs to be flexible too so that it will bend with the foot.


• Once you've found shoes that fit and are appropriately designed for a child's feet, allow your children some input as to which shoes they prefer. It's bound to make for a better shopping experience if they get to choose a color or design they like from shoes that fit well and are appropriate for growing feet.

How to Care For Your Shoes

By Elizabeth Larkin, About.com Guide

Shoe care can save you money. I know a very wealthy man -- we’re talking private jet owner here -- who hasn’t purchased a new pair of shoes in a decade. He gets them shined regularly, and once a year he takes them to the cobbler where they are re-soled, re-lined, cleaned and back in fighting form within two days.  

A good cobbler can transform your shoes into something that very closely resembles “new.” Before you buy a new pair of shoes, consider the services a cobbler can offer:

Basic Shoe Repair:

• Replace heels and soles
• Install a protective outer sole
• Replace or repair inner sole (tip: Don't repair, just replace the insole!)
• Cleaning and reconditioning
• Stretching – this is key for people, like me, who have one foot slightly larger than the other.

High Heels:

• Repair the heels
• Recover a heel in new fabric (suede, leather, etc.)

Boots:

• Waterproof the outside
• Stretch or tighten the shaft

Beyond the Basics:
In addition to the basics, a “luxury” or “upscale” shoe repair outfit may offer the following services:

• Change a wide heel into a stiletto
• Additionally, can widen a stiletto into a traditional heel
• Lengthen or shorten straps on your strappy sandals or sling backs
• Have shoes dyed to a new color (tip: Many women do this to their wedding shoes.)

If you're not sure where to find an upscale cobbler ask around at the most high-end stores in your area. My friend Meghan, a confirmed fashionsita on a budget, once needed a pair of J Crew pants hemmed. She asked the store and they sent her to their own tailor who works independently at a store front in her neighborhood. Score!

TIP: Once you get your shoes back, don’t expect them to fit exactly the way they previously did; think of them like new shoes you need to break in.

How to Organize Shoes

By Elizabeth Larkin, About.com Guide

Assess Your Shoes

Go around your house and gather all of your shoes including flip flops, slippers and sneakers. If you have a sneaky suspicion that shoes are lurking in places not immediately visible, check the following:

• Under the couch and bed - I once found a pair of shoes wedged between my friend's night table and the wall.
• In your gym bag - especially if you have extra pairs of sneakers.
• Luggage - Missing a pair of flip flops and just returned form a beach vacation? If you had no place to store your shoes and no organizational system, you may have just "forgotten" them in your suitcase. In general, it's much easier and more pleasant to unpack if you have a proper place for every item.
• Under your desk at work - this is especially true for women who commute in sensible shoes and change into three-inch heels once in the office.

Most likely, they are all by the door - usually in a pile.


Declutter Your Shoes

A common theme in personal organizing is editing and purging your collections - everything from clothes, books, take-out menus and old receipts. If you're not using something or you don't love it, it's just clutter. With this in mind, create three piles of shoes:

1. Toss: Shoes beyond repair, or shoes you haven't worn in over a year.
2. Keep: You love them, you need them and you wear them regularly.
3. Maybe:The ones you're oddly attached to and can't bear to part with.

If you're still hoarding shoes, I've compiled a list of tips to stop the hoarding habit here.

Options for Shoes in the "Toss" and "Maybe" Piles:

1. Cobbler: Cobblers can mend heels, recondition linings and re-sole just about any pair of shoes. More about How to Use a Cobbler.
2. Donate: Many charities will gladly take your shoes. Find a donation center Where to Donate
3. Swap: They may not have fit you perfectly or exactly gone with the outfit you thought they would, but your "maybe" might be a friend's new perfect pair.

Plan Shoe Storage Solutions

Now create piles of shoes by type and size, and be specific: work flats, snow boots, dressy shoes-you get the idea-and decide how much space you need for each type of shoe. Here are your storage options by size, from smallest to largest. There are several different options for shoe storage. Here, we'll focus on the most simple.

Small Collection:

• A Hanging Canvas Bag: if you're especially short on space and have a relatively small shoe collection, this option should work for your non-boot shoes.

Medium Collection:

• Over the Door Shoe Organizers: This is another good option if you're short on closet floor space.

Large Collection:
I recommend using the original boxes for shoe and boot storage. This is by far easiest method for three reasons:

1. The boxes are very easy to stack.
2. Shoe boxes always come labeled. If you have more than one pair from the same brand, label the boxes accordingly.
3. Boxes are easy to move when you swap out your Spring/Summer shoes for your Fall/Winter shoes. 

Maintain Shoe Organization

Now that you have the proper storage solutions, think about location. Here are some tips:

• Boot Storage To preserve the boot's shaft, store them upright or in a box, and stuff them with tissue paper. Unless they are super-sturdy work boots, rain boots or snow boots, I don't recommend boot hooks. They tend to stretch the boot shaft. Check out our Boot Storage Guide.
• Swap Your Shoes Twice a Year If you live in a four season climate, out of season shoes should be stored in boxes or bins very high up in a closet. Your knee-high black leather boots should not be taking up prime closet real estate during the summer months, nor should your strappy sandals be front-and-center in February. If you decide in the middle of July to take a ski trip to Argentina then you can take the snow boots down from the top of your closet. (And bonus, since you just moved them up there a few months earlier for storage, you'll know where to find them when you're packing.)
• Keep Frequently Worn Shoes Nearby If, like me, you're the kind of person who takes their shoes off by the door and never bothers to store them in the bedroom closet, then allow yourself some flexibility here and carve out a storage space in your entry way. This will keep your shoes from piling up by the door. Remember: you should be storing shoes by utility. They don't all have to be lined up next to each other in the same space.
• Store Dressy Shoes in a Closet or On A Shelf Your dressy shoes are likely to be your most expensive shoes. I recommend these are stored either in their original boxes or in clear plastic shoe boxes on a shelf to keep them clean and safe from kids, pets and spills.

Test out your new organization system for a few weeks and then ask yourself the following questions:

• Is it too complicated?
• Do I have a good idea of where most of my shoes are stored?
• Is it a hassle to keep my shoes organized?

If the answer is yes to any of the above, adjust accordingly. If you find the over-the-door rack is not realistic for you, try the under-the-bed bag. If you're having trouble getting your shoes into your bedroom closet daily, move them to a closet closer to your door.

In short: your system should fit you; you shouldn't be struggling to use a product.

10 Tips for Healthy and Permanent Weight Loss

By Tracee Cornforth, About.com Guide


Your weight reflects your total calorie consumption, how much you exercise, and your metabolic rate, but the composition of the food you eat is also important. Here are some tips.

1. Reduce carbs. We have found that it's almost impossible to lose weight and keep it off without eating substantially fewer carbohydrates, particularly those with a high glycemic load (GL). As we discussed in "Carbohydrates and the Glycemic Load," consumption of high-GL carbohydrates leads to a desire for more carbohydrates.
   Eating a low-carbohydrate, low-GL diet will help you control your appetite and decrease cravings. You'll feel full sooner, you'll find it far easier to stop eating once you're satisfied, and you'll find yourself less hungry between meals. If you are trying to lose weight, we recommend you keep total carbohydrates under one-sixth of your calories and eliminate all high-GL carbohydrates such as sugary foods, pastas, and breads.
   
   
2. Reduce fats. Reducing fat in the diet aids weight loss because high-fat foods are more calorically dense -- 9 calories per gram versus 4 for carbohydrates and protein. 
    
3. Go for veggies. Emphasize foods that are low in caloric density (that is, low in calories but high in weight). The ideal category: low-starch vegetables, which have a low glycemic index and are rich in valuable nutrients of all kinds, high in fiber, and filling.
   
   
4. Eat fiber. Consume at least 25 grams per day, including at least 10 grams of insoluble fiber.
    
5. Don't switch foods radically. While you are losing weight, we strongly recommend against diets that involve eating in a significantly different way from how you intend to eat when not "dieting." People count the days until they are released from this type of gastronomic prison. They do not associate the benefit of weight loss with learning proper eating habits -- changing tastes, desires, and attitudes -- but rather with the artificial eating patterns that they are anxious to leave.
    
6. Make health, not weight loss, your goal. If you set a healthy lifestyle as your goal, you are more likely to succeed in both improving your health and attaining permanent weight loss. Don't be too anxious to drop pounds right away. Enjoying the experience is crucial. You want to associate the experience of reaching a healthy weight with that of healthy eating. It may take a few months longer, but it will ensure that you'll never have to lose weight again.
    
7. A major reason people get discouraged and drop out of weight-loss programs is weight plateaus. Gained muscle mass and blood-vessel expansion due to exercise may temporarily halt weight loss or cause a small gain, but these are actually very desirable phenomena. Since muscle weighs more than fat, you can lose body fat and inches without dropping pounds if you are building muscles at the same time. Changes in medication, menstruation, constipation, water retention, and other factors may also cause weight loss to slow down or even reverse. Remember that your goal is to lose body fat. None of these factors causes an increase in body fat, so do not be discouraged by minor shifts of weight in the wrong direction. Be patient.
    
8. Don't rush weight reduction. One of the most important issues in weight loss is recidivism. Most people who lose weight end up gaining it back. Preliminary research on the ghrelin hormone, which is secreted in the stomach, may explain part of this troublesome problem. Ghrelin stimulates appetite at the same time that it slows down metabolism. Both of these effects contribute to increased fat storage. Levels of this hormone spike before each meal and drop after you're full. People given injections of ghrelin become extremely hungry, and studies show they eat much more when unlimited food is available, such as at a buffet.
   A recent study at the University of Washington showed that ghrelin levels increase substantially after a period of rapid weight loss. Dr. David E. Cummings, the lead scientist on the study, thinks this was an evolutionary adaptation to encourage the body to regain the lost fat as protection from possible future famine. This genetic program no longer applies to our modern situation. Research is currently under way to develop medications that block ghrelin and its stimulation of appetite and storage of body fat.
   
   Slow, gradual weight loss does not appear to cause the same spike in ghrelin levels, however. This is another important reason to approach your ideal weight gradually. Setting your daily caloric level to match your target weight's maintenance level is the best way to lose weight once and to keep it off.
   
9. Get exercise. Physical activity is very important for burning calories, lowering your "set point" (the weight your body gravitates toward), and increasing your metabolic level (rate of burning calories), even while you are not exercising. We recommend burning at least 300 calories daily through exercise.
   
10. Raise your metabolic rate. A primary factor in determining your metabolic rate -- the rate at which you burn calories -- is the number of mitochondria in cells. Mitochondria are tiny energy factories that fuel every cell. The more you have, the more energy you will burn, which will keep you leaner. Unfortunately, we cannot simply take a mitochondria supplement. However, fat cells have very few mitochondria because fat cells store energy rather than burn it, whereas muscle cells have many because they need energy to perform their job. So as you build muscle cells from a regular exercise program, you increase your mitochondria, thereby permanently raising your metabolic rate, even when you are not exercising.

We suggest the following guidelines:

• Eat a minimum of 12 calories per pound of your optimal weight. For example, a man with an optimal weight of 150 pounds should eat a minimum of about 1,800 calories per day; a woman with optimal weight of 125 pounds should eat at least 1,500 calories per day. Depending on your activity level, these figures are 10 percent to 33 percent lower than recommended in the above tables of maintenance calories.

• Set your minimum weight at 95 percent of your optimal weight. For example, if your optimal weight is 200, your minimum weight would be 190 (200 times 0.95). If your weight falls below this minimum number, increase your calorie consumption.

• Select foods low in caloric density. The best way to reduce calories is to eat low-starch vegetables such as broccoli and summer squash, which are filling and have relatively few calories, instead of potatoes and rice.

• Focus on fiber. Another choice is foods rich in fiber, which provides bulk and texture with no digestible calories. Fiber also has health benefits by lowering cholesterol levels, improving regularity, and reducing the risks of colon cancer. Most vegetables are, of course, high in fiber. There are also many foods designed to be carbohydrate substitutes that use fiber (as well as vegetable protein) to replace the bulk and texture of starch, such as low-carbohydrate cereals and breads (see Fantastic-Voyage.net for recommendations of specific products). 

Why can't I lose weight?

By Paige Waehner, About.com Guide

Question: Why can't I lose weight?

Answer:
There are a number of reasons you may not be losing weight, but there are a few key areas to look at first: 

1.  Eating too many calories - This may seem obvious, but humans are notorious for underestimating how many calories we're eating.  In fact, one study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, found that participants underestimated calories in fast food meals by up to 38%.

It's frighteningly easy to eat too many calories. If you have one donut, one soda, one more piece of bread, or even an extra tablespoon of salad dressing, you can easily go over your calorie allotment without realizing it.

Then there are the secret calories we eat each day, mindless eating that we barely remember, much less count:  That handful of M&Ms at work, the nuts you nibbled on during a meeting, the food you helpfully ate to clean your child's plate.  It all adds up, sometimes to a point where you're eating more calories than you're burning.

2.  Not exercising enough -   Just as we underestimate how many calories we eat, we tend to overestimate how many calories we burn with exercise.  This may be because we don't have a good idea of how many calories different workouts should burn or because we're relying on gym machines, which are notoriously inaccurate when it comes to calorie counts.  The average person may need 60-90 minutes of exercise a day to lose weight.  If you're not exercising at all or you're not even close, that may be one reason you're not seeing results.

3. Unrealistic expectations - If you ever talk to or read about successful weight losers, you'll find that it took years for them to lose the weight and learn how to keep it off. Now think about your timeline for losing weight and how long you've been working on it. If it's only been a few weeks, you may need to give your body more time to respond to what you're doing. Think of that time as a period of adjustment, a time when your body is learning how to assimilate all these new changes in a way that makes sense.

4. Ignoring success - Here's another common problem: You're getting results, just not the way you wanted or expected. If you're losing inches, but not losing weight, you may think you're failing, but that's a sign of success. If you gain muscle as you're losing fat, the scale may not change, but you'll see more definition in your body, a sure sign that you're losing body fat.

We also sometimes ignore results if we're not getting them in the right place. Most of us have places where we store excess fat (the belly, hips, butt and thighs come to mind) and if you don't see changes in those areas, you chalk it up to failure. Remember, it isn't possible to tone certain areas of your body with specific exercises. Your body, as well as your genes, hormones, gender, age, etc., determines where and when you lose fat. It's a good bet that if you have excess fat somewhere, it will take longer to lose from those areas.

If you're seeing changes somewhere, even if it's not exactly where you want, that's a sign you're on the right track and, if you keep losing fat, your body will eventually get to those areas.

Careful tracking of your diet, exercise and daily activity levels may tell you what you need to know about why you're not losing weight. Your next step is to figure out what to do about it.

Self-Treatment Arthritis

By Carol Eustice

You may, like many others, decide to self-treat when you first experience symptoms. With the hope that the problem is minor and will go away, you may try self-treating with over-the-counter pain relievers or using even more conservative treatment (e.g., heat, ice, rest, supplements). There is a place for self-treatment in arthritis management, but not without evaluation by a medical professional.

With over 100 types of arthritis, each having different treatment options, it's necessary for you to be diagnosed accurately first. Think of your diagnosis as a cogwheel that sets everything in motion, so you can develop a strategy with your doctor for treatment and management of the disease.

The principle taught to all medical students seems to also apply to patients with regard to self-treatment: First do no harm. You must act cautiously. If you feel inclined to try over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications and pain medications, dietary and herbal supplements, or any one of myriad concoctions that claim to cure arthritis, you should consult your doctor about everything you intend to try. You should not begin to self-treat without the knowledge of potential side effects, adverse reactions, or possible drug interactions.

Essential

The Arthritis Foundation recommends seeing a doctor if you have joint pain, stiffness, or swelling which persists for two or more weeks, whether or not your symptoms began suddenly or gradually. Arthritis can only be diagnosed by a doctor, and proper treatment depends on a proper diagnosis.

For example, acetaminophen or Tylenol can cause liver damage or death if the maximum allowable daily dose (4000 mg or 8 extra-strength caplets) is exceeded. The cumulative amount of acetaminophen in multiple OTC products must also be considered.

For joint health, there is glucosamine, MSM, and SAMe sold as dietary supplements. Acetaminophen is a pain reliever sold over-the-counter. Ibuprofen, Naprosyn, and Ketoprofen are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications also sold over-the-counter in a strength which is less than prescription strength. Topical creams are also popular self-treatments for arthritis.

If you do actually have one of the more severe types of arthritis, the time spent pursuing useless or ineffective treatments takes valuable time away from starting early, aggressive treatment, which is the current recommendation.

Certain aspects of self-treatment are definitely good for you and may be incorporated into your treatment plan after you have been diagnosed. Tips for healthy self-treatment include:

• Follow joint protection principles
• Balance activity and rest
• Use relaxation techniques
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Stop smoking

Your self-care regimen should still be documented in your medical record at your doctor's office. Studies have shown that patients who work with their doctor to develop their treatment plan are more likely to be compliant and feel better about their care. Together with your doctor, you will decide which aspects of prescribed care and self-care should be used together, with the goal being to improve your health.

Alert

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications have an expectation of being safe, just because they are sold in front of the pharmacy counter rather than behind. There are potential side effects with OTC drugs, and you need to know how the OTC interacts with everything else you are taking before it can be deemed safe.

10 Things You Should Know About Arthritis

Beyond Misconceptions and Misinformation

By Carol Eustice, About.com Guide

If you have been diagnosed with arthritis, it is important to learn all that you can about the disease. There are 10 things you should know about arthritis. The basic information will enhance your understanding of living with the disease, as well as managing the disease.

1 - Arthritis is not a single disease.

Many people speak of arthritis as if it were a single disease. Actually, there are over 100 types of arthritis and related rheumatic conditions. It is important to obtain an accurate diagnosis regarding which type of arthritis you have, so that proper treatment can begin.

2 - There is no known cure for arthritis but there are many treatment options.

There is no single medication or treatment which cures arthritis for everyone. There are treatment options which help with managing pain, controlling arthritis symptoms, and reducing joint damage or deformity.

3 - There are many myths and misconceptions about arthritis.

Have you heard that arthritis only affects old people? Not true. Did you know that arthritis causes only minor aches and pains? Not true. Arthritis can be cured by changes in your diet? Not true again. These and several other examples of myths and misconceptions about arthritis, perpetuated by the spread of inaccurate information, can keep a person.

4 - A rheumatologist is a medical doctor who specializes in treating arthritis and other rheumatic conditions.

Your primary care doctor can refer you to a rheumatologist or you can get an appointment through self-referral if your health insurance allows it. Evaluation by a rheumatologist is important so that you can determine your type of arthritis and start a treatment plan.

5 - Early diagnosis and treatment may prevent joint deformity and disability.

Since there are various types of arthritis and many treatment options, it is important to be properly diagnosed and treated early in the course of the disease. Delaying diagnosis and treatment allows arthritis symptoms to worsen. The best chance for preventing joint deformity and disability begins with early diagnosis and treatment.

6 - You may have to try several treatment options before finding the most optimal treatment plan for you.

There are two important points to remember about arthritis treatment. Patients vary in their response to arthritis medications or other arthritis treatments. What works for one person may not work for another. Also, to find the safest and most effective medication or combination of medications, you'll have to weigh the benefits versus the risks.

7 - A healthy lifestyle and good habits may positively impact the course of arthritis.

Regular exercise, maintaining ideal weight, stress reduction, being a non-smoker and getting good sleep are part of better living with arthritis. Learn why it is important to adopt these lifestyle modifications.

8 - Besides the physical limitations imposed by arthritis, living with chronic pain can have emotional consequences.

So many emotions are stirred by living with chronic pain. Anger, resentment, depression, isolation and fear are just a few. It is important for you and your loved ones to realize that living with arthritis affects your emotions.

9 - There is a financial impact associated with chronic arthritis.

Arthritis and related rheumatic conditions are recognized as the leading cause of disability in the United States. According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the total cost of arthritis is $128 billion/year and rising. Medical expenses and lost wages are factored into the financial impact of arthritis.

10 - Arthritis can cause functional limitations which interfere with activities of daily living.

According to the CDC, about 41% (19 million) of adults with doctor-diagnosed arthritis report arthritis-attributable activity limitations. Some of the activity limitations are vital activities of daily living such as bending, stooping, walking and climbing stairs. Consequently, cleaning, cooking, personal hygiene and other daily activities are affected.