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Range-of-motion exercises for arthritis The pain and stiffness of arthritis can make it difficult to perform the daily tasks most people take for granted, from putting on socks to cooking dinner. Fortunately, stretches and range-of-motion exercises can help improve the mobility and flexibility of your joints. To increase your range of motion, move a joint as far as it can go and then try to gently push a little farther. Get your copy of Living Well with Osteoarthritis This report focuses primarily on osteoarthritis — the most common type of arthritis, which affects 33 million Americans. Many people believe it’s a crippling and inevitable part of growing old. But things are changing. Treatments are better, and plenty of people age well without much arthritis. If you have osteoarthritis, you can take steps to protect your joints, reduce discomfort, and improve mobility — all of which are detailed in this Special Health Report, Living Well with Osteoarthritis: A guide to keeping your joints healthy. If you don't have osteoarthritis, the report offers strategies for preventing it.   SHOW ME MORE → Here are four range-of-motion exercises that you can do at home any time, even when your joints are painful, as long as you do them gently. Hand Open your hand, holding the fingers straight. Bend the middle finger joints. Next, touch your fingertips to the top of your palm. Open your hand. Repeat 10 times with each hand. Next, reach your thumb across your hand to touch the base of your little finger. Stretch your thumb back out. Repeat 10 times. Shoulder Lie on your back with your hands at your sides. Raise one arm slowly over your head, keeping your arm close to your ear and your elbow straight. Return your arm to your side. Repeat with the other arm. Repeat 10 times. Knee Sit in a chair that is high enough for you to swing your legs. Keep your thighs on the seat and straighten out one leg. Hold for a few seconds. Then bend your knee and bring your foot as far back as possible. Repeat with the other leg. Repeat 10 times. Hip Lie on your back, legs straight and about 6 inches apart. Point your toes toward the ceiling. Slide one leg out to the side and then back to its original position. Try to keep your toes pointed up the whole time. Repeat 10 times with each leg. To learn more, check out the Harvard Special Health Report Living Well with Osteoarthritis. Image: © Getty Images Share this story: FEATURED CONTENT Living Well with Osteoarthritis • Your Joints • A closer look at osteoarthritis • Diagnosing osteoarthritis • Treating osteoarthritis without surgery • SPECIAL SECTION: Self-care strategies for coping with arthritis • Surgical treatment of osteoarthritis • Resources Click here to learn more » How does Ozempic work? Understanding GLP-1s for diabetes, weight loss, and beyond Ozempic and other GLP-1 receptor agonists have gained attention for their role in treating type 2 diabetes and promoting weight loss. These medications mimic a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar and appetite. While their benefits are clear, they also come with potential risks and side effects. How do GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic work? GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonists are a class of medications that work by mimicking the natural GLP-1 hormone. This hormone is released by the gut in response to eating and has several effects that help regulate blood sugar levels, hunger, and slow digestion. Tirzepatide is a related drug that mimics GLP-1 as well as a hormone called a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). Most GLP-1 drugs are administered by injection into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Get your copy of A Guide to Weight-Loss Medications Losing weight is hard to do. For some people diet and exercise alone may not be enough. Anti-obesity, or weight loss drugs can help. From endless ads for medications like Ozempic or Wegovy to news stories of successful weight loss, almost everyone is aware of the newest weight loss medications, GLP-1s.  But how do they work? Are they safe? And most importantly… who is most likely to benefit from them?  A Guide to Weight-Loss Medications covers the science, risks, potential side effects, pros, and cons of this medication-assisted weight loss. This guide is your trusted resource to help you have informed conversations with your doctor about weight and metabolic health.    SHOW ME MORE → How do GLP-1s help manage diabetes? For people with type 2 diabetes, controlling blood sugar levels is essential to preventing complications like nerve damage, kidney disease, and heart problems. GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide (Ozempic), liraglutide (Victoza), and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) help by increasing insulin secretion in response to meals, thereby lowering blood sugar levels. They also lower levels of glucagon, a hormone that raises blood sugar. GLP-1 drugs lower blood sugar only when it's high, unlike insulin, which works regardless of glucose levels. This glucose-dependent action reduces the risk of dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), making them a safer option compared to some other diabetes treatments GLP-1 receptor agonists also reduce the likelihood of developing heart-related problems such as heart attacks or strokes. This is an important consideration because diabetes increases heart disease risk. How do GLP-1s support weight loss? One of the reasons GLP-1 receptor agonists have gained so much attention is their ability to help with weight loss. These medications slow down stomach emptying, keeping you feeling full longer. They also send signals to the brain that increase feelings of fullness, leading to reduced food intake. GLP-1s are typically prescribed at a higher dose for obesity than for diabetes. Liraglutide (Saxenda), semaglutide (Wegovy), and tirzepatide (Zepbound) are all FDA-approved for weight loss. In some studies, participants using GLP-1s have lost an average of 10% to 15% of their body weight over a year. The most effective GLP-1 medications can lead to weight loss of over 20% of body weight. This level of weight loss is significant because even a 5% to 10% reduction in body weight can improve metabolic health, lower blood pressure, and decrease the risk of conditions like fatty liver disease and obstructive sleep apnea. Side effects you may experience with GLP-1s Like any medication, GLP-1 receptor agonists may cause side effects in some people. These side effects often improve as the body adjusts to the medication. To minimize them, doctors typically start with a low dose and gradually increase it over time. Some of the most common GLP-1 side effects include: nausea vomiting diarrhea constipation abdominal discomfort. Other less common but possible side effects include headaches, increased heart rate, dizziness, and fatigue. Some individuals may also experience mild injection site reactions such as redness or itching. Dr. Chika Anekwe, Obesity Medicine Clinical Director at Massachusetts General Hospital Weight Center and instructor at Harvard Medical School, points out that a common misconception is that everyone experiences major side effects. "While gastrointestinal side effects like nausea and constipation are common, they are usually temporary and manageable," she notes. Possible risks of GLP-1s While GLP-1 drugs are generally considered safe, they do come with potential risks. Persistent nausea or vomiting can lead to dehydration, kidney problems, or malnutrition in some cases. People with serious gastrointestinal conditions, like gastroparesis or uncontrolled inflammatory bowel disease, should not take GLP-1 medications. And these medications are not considered safe for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Other health risks include: Pancreatitis: Some studies suggest a possible link between GLP-1s and inflammation of the pancreas, though the risk appears to be low. Gallbladder problems: Some people develop gallstones or gallbladder inflammation while taking GLP-1s. (Gallstones can also result from rapid weight loss in the absence of GLP-1 medication.) Thyroid tumors: Animal studies have raised concerns about a potential link between GLP-1s and thyroid tumors, but ongoing surveillance has not shown that this applies to humans. Muscle loss: Some reports suggest that rapid weight loss from GLP-1s may lead to a decrease in muscle mass. (Weight loss even without GLP-1 medication results in some loss of muscle.) This is of particular concern for older adults, who may be at a higher risk for frailty and falls. If you are taking or considering a GLP-1, discuss these risks with your doctor. There may be things you can do to mitigate some of these risks. For example, your doctor may advise you to increase your protein intake to reduce the risk of muscle loss. Finally, beware of compounded GLP-1 drugs, which became popular during a GLP-1 drug shortage starting in 2022. The FDA has issued warnings about compounded GLP-1 drugs because of reports of harmful side effects. The FDA does not check compounded drugs for safety, effectiveness, or quality. Potential benefits of GLP-1s under investigation Beyond diabetes and weight loss, researchers are exploring other potential benefits of GLP-1 drugs. Major areas of exploration include: Heart health. Heart health remains a major area of interest. Research has suggested GLP-1s may reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in people with diabetes or obesity. Brain health. Research is ongoing to determine whether these drugs could help protect against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. Dr. Anekwe highlights that "some research shows GLP-1s may slow cognitive decline and have a role in neuroprotection." Addiction treatment. Some early studies suggest GLP-1 drugs may help reduce cravings for substances like alcohol and nicotine. Liver disease.Metabolic associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), formerly known as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), are conditions linked to obesity and insulin resistance. GLP-1 drugs may help reduce liver fat and inflammation, potentially slowing disease progression. Sleep apnea. In December 2024, the FDA approved tirzepatide (Zepbound) to treat moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity. "The most notable benefits of GLP-1 receptor agonists for patients with diabetes or obesity are their ability to promote significant weight loss, reduction in appetite, and improvement in blood sugar control," says Dr. Anekwe. She continues, "The cardiovascular protection and other emerging benefits, such as improvements in outcomes related to metabolic-associated liver disease and obstructive sleep apnea, are additional benefits of these medications." For more on GLP-1s, read A Guide to Weight-Loss Medications, an Online Guide from Harvard Medical School. Image: © GettyImages Share this story:

FEATURED CONTENT A Guide to Weight-Loss Medications • The new science of weight loss drugs • The new GLP-1 drugs • Older weight-loss drugs • Side effects of GLP-1 drugs • Things to consider • Benefits for other health conditions • Nutrition and lifestyle considerations Click here to learn more »

Harvard doctors share... Nine Keys to Managing an Autoimmune Disease Discover how to curb and control the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, MS, lupus, IBD, psoriasis, Type 1 diabetes, and more.

Inside Living with an Autoimmune Disease, you’ll discover: ✓ What is an autoimmune disease? ✓ What makes for a faulty immune system ✓ Common autoimmune disorders ✓ What do autoimmune diseases have in common? ✓ Lifestyle approaches to support your health ✓ Strategies for optimizing your daily routine ✓ And so much more! Dear Reader, What does RA which attacks the joints have in common with IBD which affects the intestines...or Graves’ disease which assaults the thyroid have in common with psoriasis’ inflammation of the skin? They, as well as MS, lupus, type 1 diabetes, are conditions in which the immune system attacks the body itself. Known as autoimmune diseases, they affect one of every 15 Americans. While autoimmune diseases may appear to be quite different, they share fundamental characteristics. Each has no known cause and no cure, so managing an autoimmune disease is a lifelong journey. This empowering new online report is about managing that journey with fewer symptoms and greater ability to lead a full, active life. You’ll meet “the defining nine”... practical, proven measures that can minimize the impact of an autoimmune disease on your life. In this downloadable guide you’ll discover that by adopting simple lifestyle changes and embracing specific proactive measures you can maintain greater control over your autoimmune disease. The right food choices, for example. You’ll learn about dietary patterns that offer the greatest benefits for autoimmune health. You’ll discover the supplements people with RA or lupus should consider. You’ll find a mineral people with Hashimoto’s disease or Graves’ disease may want to avoid. And you’ll learn the best way for people with type 1 diabetes to manage dietary issues. LEARN MORE → This is guidance you can use — from a source you can trust! Direct from Harvard Health Publishing, you’ll be briefed on ways to maximize the services of your health care providers. You’ll get tips for keeping medical costs in check. You’ll be introduced to sources of positive emotional support. And you’ll want to read the report’s timely recommendations for vaccines and the special considerations for anyone with an autoimmune disease. Not surprisingly, exercise is important. You’ll discover routines to boost your energy and immune system without taxing your joints. You’ll learn why exercise is particularly useful to people with diabetes...two easy aerobic alternatives to jogging...and tips for renewing your muscle strength. Because stress is a trigger for symptom flare-ups with many autoimmune diseases, the Report shares six effective stress management techniques. You’ll learn about an approach helpful to people with RA...a practice that improves physical function in people with multiple sclerosis or IBD...and more. Without question, living with an autoimmune disease can present challenges. This report is designed to help you meet those challenges and manage your condition with knowledge and confidence. Don’t wait. Order Living with an Autoimmune Disease today! Timothy Cole Editoral Director, Harvard Health Publishing GET STARTED TODAY

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