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martin health for you - Don't delay getting help for rheumatoid arthritis

Stuart News - 11/29/2017

If lately your hands have felt a bit achy, swollen and stiff, you might think that's just another middle-aged pain to mention to your doctor – someday.

You're right about the part to tell your doctor. But not about the part to wait.

The reason? You may have rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Getting a timely diagnosis, and starting treatment as soon as possible, can help limit the amount of destruction RA causes to the joints.

Unlike osteoarthritis, RA isn't caused by wear and tear of the joints. Instead, the body's defense system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues around the joints, often damaging the hands, wrists, fingers or feet. In some cases RA can affect other major organs.

Stiff joints is a common symptom of both osteoarthritis and RA. But the difference is that the stiffness from RA is often worse in the morning and may last several hours-even the entire day. Osteoarthritis usually doesn't cause prolonged morning stiffness.

Other signs and symptoms of RA include a loss of energy, low fevers, and firm lumps under the skin in places such as the elbow and hands.

What does a rheumatologist do?

A rheumatologist is a physician who received further training in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disease and systemic autoimmune conditions commonly referred to as rheumatic diseases.

These diseases can affect the joints, muscles, and bones causing pain, swelling, stiffness, and deformity. Rheumatologists treat joint disease similar to orthopedists but do not perform surgeries.

As a rheumatologist, I treat the following: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, psoriatic arthritis, spondyloarthopathy, gout, lupus, scleroderma, ankylosis spondylitis, pseudogout, myositis, tendinitis, vasculitis, polymyalgia reheumatica, bursitis, trigger finger, carpal tunnel syndrome, shoulder pain, hip pain, tennis elbow, golfer's elbow.

Dr. Pachiadee's office is located in the South Medical Office Building, 2150 SE Salerno Road, Suite 200, in Stuart. To schedule an appointment, call 772 223-5757.

Sukanya Pachaidee

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