Arthritis: A Difficult But Manageable Condition

Arthritis occurs when there is inflammation in one or more of your joints, for example your wrists or knees. The biggest symptoms of arthritis are stiffness and joint pain, while the two most common types of arthritis are rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when a person's immune system attacks the joints and causes inflammation, leading to pain and swelling.

Along with stiffness and pain in the joints, other symptoms that are often experienced include fatigue, fever, night sweats, redness, weight loss and breathing problems.  Arthritis can eventually end up destroying the bone and cartilage in the joints.

Some of the most common risk factors for arthritis are obesity, past joint injury, age and family history.  Women are also more likely than men to suffer from rheumatoid arthritis.

When arthritis is severe, it can interfere with your daily routine, making many everyday tasks much more difficult.  Before seeking medical advice, it is a good idea to gather information about your family's history, your symptoms, previous medical problems you've had and any medications you take.  This will allow your doctor or specialist to help you better.

Once you have made an appointment to be seen, your doctor will most likely have you get lab work, such as the testing of bodily fluids like urine and blood.  You may also have X-Rays or an MRI done so that problems can be detected and treated more precisely.

The treatment of arthritis focuses on improving joint function and alleviating your symptoms. You may need to experiment with different combinations and types of treatments, such as therapy, medications and surgery.

For personalized help and treatment of your arthritis symptoms, please call Allegheny Medical today.  Our PeopleCare team consists of specially trained physicians, nurses, dietitians, physical therapists 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.

Non-Surgical Relief for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome occurs when the nerve running from the forearm to the hand, known as the median nerve, becomes squeezed at the wrist. This nerve controls sensations to the thumb and fingers, as well as impulses to some of the hand muscles.  The median nerve and tendons are located in a passageway of bones and ligaments at the base of the hand, which is known as the carpal tunnel.

Sometimes, the median nerve becomes compressed due to thickening from irritated tendons or other swelling. This can result in numbness, weakness or pain in the wrist and hand, which can travel up the arm. In most cases, the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome usually start to appear gradually, with frequent itching, tingling, burning or a swollen feeling in the palm and fingers. It is common for these symptoms to begin in the middle of the night.

As for the cause of the disorder, it is most likely congenital. Wrist injury or trauma, arthritis, fluid retention, an overactive pituitary gland, stress or hypothyroidism can also play a role.

In order to avoid permanent damage to the median nerve, early treatment is recommended. A physical exam can help determine whether the symptoms being experienced are caused by Carpal Tunnel.  Physicians can also use specific tests in order to diagnose the problem, such as the Tinel test, the Phalen test or other electrodiagnostic tests.

Fortunately, many times Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can be treated without surgery. Allegheny Medical can design a comprehensive treatment program on an individual basis which includes pain management, chiropractic care, massage therapy, physical therapy, exercise, nutritional assessment and rehabilitation.

To learn more about Allegheny Medical's Carpal Tunnel Syndrome treatment program, call (412) 494-4554 today.

Migraine Therapy Can Improve Your Quality of Life

Migraine headaches usually fall into one of two types: a migraine occurring with an aura (formerly known as a "classic" migraine) and a migraine occurring without an aura (formerly known as a "common" migraine).  Auras are sensory warning signs such as blind spots, flashes of light or tingling in the leg or arm that can precede or accompany these chronic headaches.

Other common symptoms include moderate to severe pain on one or both sides of the head, pain that has a pulsating quality, pain that gets worse with physical activity, light and sound sensitivity and nausea with or without vomiting.  If a migraine is left untreated, it can last from four to 72 hours.

The cause of migraines isn't yet clearly understood, but environmental factors as well as genetics seem to both play a role.  There are also several things that may trigger them including stress, certain kinds of foods such as alcohol, chocolate and aged cheese, female hormonal changes, certain medications, changes in sleep patterns and more.

Sufferers can experience migraines only once every few years, or as frequently as several times a week.  Sometimes migraines can be so severe that they interfere with a person's normal routine.

You should see a doctor immediately or go to the emergency room if you experience other signs which accompany a headache such as weakness, fever, numbness, rash, stiff neck, confusion or double vision--or if the headache follows a head injury, coughing, sudden movement or exertion.

The goal of migraine therapy is to prevent headaches, reduce their frequency and severity and improve quality of life.  The migraine therapy offered at Allegheny Medical is a safe, conservative and proven method of treatment.  Call today to find out more about how we can help improve the quality of your life: (412) 494-4554.

Osteoporosis: A Debilitating Disease that Can Be Prevented and Treated

Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to lose their mass and break easily.  It affects over 25 million Americans, and 80% of its victims are women.

The good news is that osteoporosis can be prevented. However, if it is not prevented or is left untreated, osteoporosis can continue to silently progress without pain until a bone breaks.  These breaks or fractures often occur in the wrist, spine, and hip.

When a hip is fractured, it usually requires hospitalization and major surgery. It can mean that a person is only able to walk with assistance, and may cause prolonged or disability or death. Vertebral or spinal fractures can be just as serious, and can come with intense back pain, deformity and height loss.

An alarming 55% of people 50 and older face the health threat of osteoporosis.  It is estimated that 34 million people in the United States suffer from low bone mass, something that increases their risk of developing osteoporosis.

An individual may not even realize that they have osteoporosis until their bones are so weakened that a sudden fall or strain causes a fracture or a collapsed vertebra. Signs of a collapsed vertebrae include of height loss, severe back pain or deformities of the spine such as stooped posture.

Factors increasing the likelihood that an individual will develop osteoporosis include current low bone mass, being female, advanced age, a family history of the disease, vitamin D deficiency, low testosterone in men, excessive alcohol intake, cigarette use and more.

A bone mass measurement or bone density tests can be done by a doctor in order to tell if you have osteoporosis.  If you would like a quick, complimentary screening, this can be performed at Allegheny Medical.  Your results can be delivered in as little as 5 minutes. Call (412) 494-4554 to schedule your appointment today.

Need more information? Check out The National Osteoporosis Foundation at http://www.nof.org.

Need Encouragement to Improve Your Health and Lifestyle?

Allegheny Medical's PeopleCare offers full scale physical medicine treatment programs for individuals with chronic or acute pain, and helps those with recurrent or frequent illnesses. The PeopleCare team knows the importance of living long, happy and healthy lives.

The goal of PeopleCare is to help individuals understand their current health status. PeopleCare's team offers these individuals the opportunity and encouragement needed to actively participate in improving their health and successfully bring about lasting lifestyle changes.

Some of the more common conditions addressed by the PeopleCare team include the chronic pain illness fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis and osteoporosis, migraine headaches and more.

The personalized care programs our team creates begin with an in-depth evaluation of an individual's health status. Once the patient's health has been assessed, the health risks and needs are identified, and treatment initiatives that target specific area of concerns are developed.

Through the program, patients receive many different educational materials, wellness information, health screenings and seminar opportunities. Individuals are also encouraged to take advantage of our monthly support group meetings and workshops.

The PeopleCare team consists of specially trained physicians, physical therapists, dietitians, rehabilitation specialists and nurses dedicated to solving individuals' key health problems as well as addressing their health needs.

Interested in a complimentary, personalized consultation appointment?  Schedule one today by calling (412) 494-4554.