When should you consult a Rheumatologist?
If you have pain, swelling or stiffness in joints, muscles or spine, lasting more than 6 weeks. If you have symptoms like fever, rashes, weight loss, cough, shortness of breath, red eyes etc along with joint pains. If joint pains are not resolving with simple pain killers and you are having recurrent episodes of pain
Can arthritis be prevented?
The risk of developing certain types of arthritis can be reduced by avoiding smoking, avoiding being overweight and avoiding injuries. Regular physical activities, eating a healthy diet, avoiding stress are all beneficial
How is arthritis treated?
The aim of treatment is to control pain, minimize joint damage and improve or maintain physical function. The drugs used to treat a rheumatoid type of arthritis are called disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. Apart from medications, exercise, patient education, and sometimes surgery also play a role.
How is arthritis diagnosed?
Diagnosis is mostly by taking a history from the patient and doing a clinical examination. Certain blood tests help in confirming the diagnosis. X rays and sometimes MRI help in assessing the severity of arthritis
What are the symptoms of arthritis?
Pain, stiffness and swelling in joints are the most common symptoms. Symptoms can develop suddenly or gradually over time. Certain autoimmune conditions like lupus, apart from having joint pains as a symptom, can also have skin rashes, mouth ulcers, dry eyes and mouth, Raynaud’s, hair fall etc. Psoriatic arthritis can be associated with skin psoriasis
What causes arthritis?
Although the cause for many types of arthritis is not known, it is thought to be due to a combination of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors. Smoking, obesity greatly increases the risk of developing various types of arthritis
What are the types of arthritis?
There are two broad types, namely degenerative and inflammatory arthritis.
Degenerative arthritis, the more common type, is found in people over 45 years of age and occurs due to wear and tear in the joints. Symptoms are limited to the joints involved, in the form of pain on using the joint and relief with rest.
Inflammatory group of arthritis includes rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, gout, etc. Most of these are due to immune dysregulation and affect younger people, usually 25-45years age group.
What is arthritis?
The term arthritis is used for any condition that affects joints, causing pain and stiffness in the affected joints
How can you prevent vascular disease?
Some of the best ways to prevent vascular disease are:
- Quit smoking as it harms your blood vessels in many ways and increases the risk
of vascular disease.
- Intake of healthy food like fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meat and
poultry, fish, beans and low-fat or fat-free dairy products.
- Regular physical activity can help you reduce the risk of vascular disease.
- Follow your treatment plan and take medications for diabetes, high cholesterol,
and high blood pressure.
What are the vascular treatments?
The vascular treatments are Amputation, Carotid Endarterectomy, Catheter-Directed Thrombolytic Therapy, Diabetic Foot Care, Dialysis Access, Endovascular Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms, Endovascular Treatment of Aortic Dissection, Open Surgery Treatment of an Aortic Dissection, Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter Line, Repair of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm, Surgical Bypass, Surgical Bypass for Aortoiliac Occlusive Disease, Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair, Thrombolytic Therapy and Transcarotid Artery Revascularization
