Phone: 928.680.4255Patient Education
- Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)
- Arthritis: Osteoarthritis (OA)
- Arthritis: Rheumatoid (RA)
- Exercise for Osteoarthritis
- Gout
- Lupus: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
- Osteoporosis
- Rheumatology: What is a Rheumatologist?
- Sjogren’s Syndrome
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Arthritis
Arthritis causes inflammation, pain, stiffness, and damage to the joints. It takes many forms, including osteoarthritis (the most common type of arthritis), rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune form), reactive arthritis, gout, and psoriatic arthritis (related to the skin disease called psoriasis). There are a variety of treatment options, including NSAIDs, and newer “biologics“.
Biologics for Arthritis
Biologics are a class of medications used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. These new biologic agents block specific parts of the immune system that cause excessive inflammation, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and cytokines (IL-12, IL-23). Because of their expense, biologic medications are often reserved for people with moderate to severe forms of arthritis who have not responded to an adequate trial of other standard treatments, such as methotrexate.
Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus)
Lupus (SLE) is one of many disorders of the immune system known as autoimmune diseases. Lupus can affect many parts of the body, including the joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and brain. Although people with the disease may have many different symptoms, the most common ones include extreme fatigue, painful or swollen joints (arthritis), unexplained fever, skin rashes, and kidney problems. These symptoms can come and go in periods of flares and remissions. At present, there is no cure for lupus, but there are medications that help most people with lupus to lead active, healthy lives.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a bone disease that increases the risk of developing fractures (broken bones). It is defined as a decrease in bone mineral density (BMD) and bone strength. Osteoporosis is the major underlying cause of fractures in postmenopausal women and the elderly. A bone mineral density (BMD) test may be used to diagnose osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is largely preventable and people who already have osteoporosis can slow its progression and reduce their risk of developing fractures.
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