ALT MEDICINE  Nearly one in five U.S. adults suffers from the pain, loss of movement and swelling related to arthritis. In fact, there are more than 100 different diseases that affect areas in and around joints, with women being affected more often than men. But virtually all types of arthritis share a common cause: a misdirection of the body’s inflammatory response. Medications are often used to tame the inflammation, but are there things you can do to decrease your risk for developing arthritis and minimize its impact on your life?

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COVER STORY  After sitting in a classroom all day studying everything from biochemistry and pathology to disease prevention and even psychiatry, K. Maria Duthie unwinds by picking up a sword. Read More>>

COVER STORY  Dave Adams - Age 56 - Occupation: Air Traffic Manager at the Spokane International Airport Read More>>

COVER STORY  Francesca DePaolo - Age: 47 - Occupation: Teacher’s aide at an alternative school Read More>>

COVER STORY  Anne Kirkpatrick - Age: 48 - Occupation: Chief, Spokane Police Department Read More>>

COVER STORY  Your head hurts. Your stomach churns. Your body aches with exhaustion. You lie awake at night, too anxious to fall asleep. During the day, you drag yourself along, too worn out to accomplish much. Read More>>

COVER STORY  Can your job kill you? Recent studies have shown there’s a possible connection between on-the-job stress and heart disease. People who can’t cope with chronic pressure also tend to eat unhealthy food, smoke, drink and skip exercise. Workplace stress contributes to absenteeism, diminished productivity and higher medical, legal and insurance costs. Read More>>

FROM THE EDITOR  Forget New Year’s resolutions, spring brings a natural surge of energy, making this season the perfect time to take stock of our health and follow through on those nagging doubts about how we’re treating our bodies. Read More>>

GUEST COLUMN  Coming soon to a community near you: Free lead screening for children ages 6 and younger. Local nonprofit environmental group the Lands Council, with the help of a nurse and funding from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), recently began making the rounds with their portable blood-testing machine, which gives results in only three minutes. Read More>>

HEALTH LINK  Spring is such a great time of year. Everything is in bloom, the sun warms the land (and quite frankly our spirits), and the kids can finally break free and head outside. It’s also a time of change and organization. We clean our homes, wash our cars, and plan an out-of-school getaway with the family. Read More>>

HEALTH LINK  Driving nearly three hours each way for a yearly mammogram was not on Linda Matthews’ agenda. “I hadn’t had one for over 10 years,” says the 63-year-old Matthews. “Why I decided to have it I don’t know. But I did, and they found cancer.” Read More>>

INNOVATION  In pale blue and green scrubs, Dr. Bradford Nelson leans into the door, enters the operating room and introduces his surgery partner — the da Vinci robotic surgical system. “Impressive, huh?” Nelson says. Read More>>

LIFESTYLES  I first sighted the Safari Room desserts at lunch during the holiday season. Saying the usual “no thank you” I suddenly did an about-face as the six little shot glasses (pictured here) were waved before my eyes. “You can choose one or sample from a variety of six, ” said our waitress, displaying them before my eyes. Read More>>

LIFESTYLES  Are you bored with your indoor workouts — slaving away on that treadmill, stair climber, or stationary bike? Do you feel stifled by a mundane fitness routine? It’s time to get back on track, exercise outside and have some fun. A study at the University of Tennessee found that exercise performed outdoors has a lower perceived difficulty. You’ll also have the crisp air and surrounding environment to look at — motivating you through your entire workout. Read More>>

NEWS  Ah, the toilet! If it is disgusting, flush it away. Dead goldfish? Flush them. Old antibiotics for that long-gone strep throat? In the commode. Unused birth control pills? Whoosh! Read More>>

PARENTING  “Birth is a miracle, a rite of passage, a natural part of life. But birth is also big business,” starts the Website synopsis of former talk show host Ricki Lake’s new documentary, The Business of Being Born, now available on DVD. Read More>>

PARENTING  Q: We are having a baby next month and I’m confused about car seats. All I hear is that they aren’t used correctly very often. What is the safest car seat and how do you use them properly? Read More>>

PEOPLE  Sometimes the simplest things can become the most daunting. With a diagnosis of cancer comes a host of other mundane problems, like paying the bills, finding affordable medications, or even help with cab fare and gas money. Read More>>

SENIORS  Nothing escapes the scrutiny of science — not even love. In the quest to sift through millennia of anecdotal wisdom about what restores the spark to long-term relationships, researchers are closing in on some answers. It’s not simply time together that does the trick — even pleasant, quality time. It’s when seasoned couples attempt the novel and challenging, together, that they feel the best about their relationships. Read More>>