Step 6: Managing the disease
long-term or dealing with
complications
This step is for a small group of patients with long term and/or very serious disease. The disease can sometimes involve other organs in addition to the joints and can therefore occasionally cause serious complications. For example, the heart, lung and eyes can be involved.
The following topics will be covered in this step:
- Links to information on possible eye conditions
- Links to information on the possible effects on major organs
- Links to information on other possible related diseases
- Help with more practical matters
- Help for carers
Links to information on possible eye conditions
Uveitis Information Group
Iritis Website
Royal National Institute for the Blind
British Sjogren's Syndrome Association
Links to information on the possible effects on major organs
NRAS website article on the use of assessment tools to decide upon your risk of cardiovascular disease
NRAS article on how lifespan is affected by rheumatoid arthritis? (CV risk mainly)
NRAS article on the effects of rheumatoid arthritis on the lungs
The British Lung Foundation
The British Thoracic Society
The British Heart Foundation
Kidney Research UK
Links to information on other possible related diseases
Crohns Disease
NRAS article on Rheumatoid Vasculitis
Macmillan Cancer Support
Help with more practical matters
Age UK - Age UK aims to improve later life for everyone by providing life-enhancing services and vital support on a wide range of issues
Benefits and pensions – information provided by the DirectGov website
Help for carers
Information for carers – provided by the DirectGov website
Carers UK
Young Carers
Care Quality Commission - the Care Quality Commission is the new health and social care regulator for England which aims to ensure better care for everyone in hospital, in a care home and at home.
Help the Hospices - resources for understanding hospice care