How to Cope with Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain

Someone who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis has lots of different medication options, but painful flare-ups can still plague an individual with RA. Fortunately, there are several things one can do minimize and prevent pain.

Rheumatoid arthritis affects people throughout their life, so having ways to protect your joints while still being able to engage in everyday activities is important.

Here are some of the ways to ease the pain of rheumatoid arthritis:

1. Exercise: Exercise can be great for keeping joint pain to a minimum.  Consider swimming, light weight training or walking three times a week for 30 minutes.  Be sure to be gentle with yourself and take a break if you start to feel pain.

2. Protect your joints: Think about other ways you can accomplish tasks that might be easier on your joints.  For example, using your shoulder to open a door instead of your hand.

3. Stretching: Stretching your joints in the morning can help you feel looser for the rest of the day.  In order to warm your joints up, consider taking a shower first before beginning your stretches.

4. Be sure to rest: Giving yourself breaks to rest during the day can help ease fatigue and pain. Staying active is of course also important, so try to strike a balance between taking it easy and still incorporating activity into your daily routine.

5. Using warm, moist heat: Moist heat seems to provide relief from RA pain, so taking warm showers or baths or soaking your hands in warm water can be very effective.  Moist heating pads are also an option.

RA can be painful, but it doesn't have to be debilitating.  Follow some of these suggestions and you'll soon be able to manage it, while also enjoying your life and the activities you love.

Fibromyalgia: A Commonly Misdiagnosed Condition

Fibromyalgia affects 3.7 million Americans and is characterized by general fatigue, sleep disturbances, musculoskeletal aches and pains and soft tissue tenderness.  Those with Fibromyalgia experience many different symptoms that come and go.  The cause of Fibromyalgia is still a mystery.

When someone suffers from this condition, everyday pain and discomfort are greater than in those without fibromyalgia. Even minor bumps and bruises can lead to severe pain.

Fibromyalgia is often diagnosed by a doctor examining 18 specific spots on the body known as "tender points." People with fibromyalgia are more sensitive and have more tenderness at these points.  When pain is found in at least 11 of the 18 points, a fibro diagnosis is often made.  However, it is not always so cut and dry.  The vagueness of the symptoms associated with this disorder make it easy to misdiagnose it as something else, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or thyroid dysfunction, to name a few.

Because of this, it's important to do some preparation for your appointment with a doctor.  You should be ready to clearly articulate any and all symptoms that you have been experiencing, when they started, whether they are on and off or continuous, whether you've been taking any medications, whether you have had any surgeries, if anything triggers your symptoms, whether your symptoms affect your feelings, etc.

Finding the right doctor is also very important.  According to Mary Rose, PsyD, a clinical psychologist and behavioral sleep specialist at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, "It's important to find a doctor who cares about you--and wants to help you.  It's very common, physicians having very little time. Sometimes they don't really hear everything a patient says."

Fortunately, Dr. Neal Fanelli and his team at Allegheny Medical have created the "Fibromyalgia Flow" treatment protocol and can help you experience reduced pain and overall better health through their personalized Fibromyalgia treatment plans.  If you suffer from Fibromyalgia or related symptoms, schedule your complimentary consultation today by calling 412-494-4554.

Knee Injuries: When to See a Doctor?

The knee is comprised of four bones that come together, with the femur and the tibia forming the joint itself.  In order for the knee to work, every part of the anatomy needs to function properly. Trauma, injury and overuse of the knee often cause inflammation, redness, swelling and pain.

Types of Knee Injuries

When stress is placed on the knee, ligaments can stretch or tear causing sprains. Depending upon how much damage has been sustained, sprains are graded as first, second, or third degree.

Tendon or muscle injuries are caused by overuse, hyperflexion or hyperextension and are referred to as strains.

When an injury is caused due to twisting, this can cause stress on the cartilage and can pinch it, leading to tears.

Finally, bursitis, or inflammation of the bursas can occur because of overuse or direct blows.

Injuries of the knee are usually categorized in one of two ways: those where there is swelling in the joint and those where there is pain and discomfort on one side of the knee, but with minimal swelling.

When to Receive Medical Treatment?

When an individual's knee is injured, medical care should be sought if the pain is intolerable, there is loss of sensation, the ankle and foot become cold, there is immediate swelling, the knee is unable to bear weight or the bones look deformed.

If a knee is examined and it is determined that no surgery is necessary, then rest, ice, compression, and elevation along with strengthening exercises and possibly physical therapy will be suggested.  If surgery is required, the injury may be treated with an arthroscope, using a camera and punctures.

The PeopleCare division of Allegheny Medical can treat knee injuries from the most minor to the most debilitating.  The PeopleCare team consists of specially trained physicians, physical therapists, nurses, dietitians and rehabilitation specialists dedicated to solving individuals key health problems and addressing their health needs. Complimentary, personalized consultation appointments can be scheduled by calling (412) 494-4554.

What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a disorder marked by extreme fatigue that does not get better even after resting.  There have been many theories about the true cause of CFS, but as of today it is still unknown.

Chronic fatigue was not always accepted as being a real condition, mainly because the symptoms are not always easy to measure.  However, in recent years there has been a general consensus in the medical community that it is a serious and very real condition.

Fortunately, many people do end up recovering from chronic fatigue syndrome, and there are available treatments.

The main symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome include loss of memory, sore throat, fatigue, headache, extreme exhaustion, joint pain without swelling, enlarged, painful lymph nodes, muscle pain and more.  Symptoms often come and go over time.

An individual must have fatigue that persists for six months or more that cannot be explained, along with at least four primary symptoms in order to meet the criteria for being diagnosed with chronic fatigue.  In order to make a diagnosis, your doctor must rule out other conditions or diseases that may be causing the symptoms you are experiencing.

Chronic fatigue syndrome does not have any specific treatment, but usually doctors use a combination of treatments to relieve symptoms, including cognitive beahvioral therapy, depression medication, low blood pressure (hypotension) medication, sleep problem treatment, reduced physical activity, treatment of allergies and more.

Self care is also an important part of managing your fatigue--including reducing stress, getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly.

If you believe you are suffering from chronic fatigue or related symptoms,  schedule your complimentary consultation with Allegheny Medical today by calling (412) 494-4554.