Effective polymyalgia rheumatica treatment can make all the difference for patients who are suffering from this disease that is characterized by pain, inflammation, and muscle stiffness and aching. The muscles of the shoulders, neck, upper arms, thighs or hips may be involved. In a number of cases, the patient may have felt completely fine just before any symptoms appeared. The causes and triggers for this malady are not fully understood, but the disease will usually only appear in individuals who are over fifty years of age and are of the Caucasian race. A problem with the immune system is strongly suspected, although doctors also feel that there may be environmental or genetic connections. The need for polymyalgia rheumatica treatment can be long lasting. Some patients may show symptoms for one to two years. Thankfully, there are a number of ways to treat this illness that can alleviate a patient's suffering. Medications are generally called for as well as specific steps that a patient can follow to help expedite relief.
Polymyalgia rheumatica, or PMR, affects the large arteries, which become inflamed. The severity of symptoms and the type of polymyalgia rheumatica treatment will vary from person to person. In addition to moderate to severe aching and stiffness in the neck, shoulders, arms, hips and thighs, patients will often be anemic and complain of an overall sense of sickness that is difficult to define. In some cases, particularly at the beginning of the illness, only one side of the body may be impacted. But eventually, the symptoms will usually spread to both sides of the body. Diagnosis can be difficult since many of the symptoms may masquerade as other illnesses. Morning stiffness is generally the most severe, although some patients have reported being woken up during the night by the pain and discomfort that this illness causes. The inflammation is the result of white blood cells that begin to attack the lining of the joints. It is not clear what causes this to happen, but some experts feel that there may be a connection between PMR and some viruses. The adenovirus is suspected to have involvement and is a virus that causes respiratory infections. This disease is most likely to afflict women, but men have been known to contract the disease as well.
In less severe cases, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may provide successful polymyalgia rheumatica treatment. These medications would include aspirin and ibuprofen. There can be a number of harmful side effects associated with the long term use of these over the counter drugs, however. Bleeding in the stomach or intestines, elevated blood pressure, the retention of fluid, liver and kidney problems, and cognitive problems may result from using these medications over an extended period of time. Doctors will more frequently prescribe corticosteroids for polymyalgia rheumatica treatment. These medications will usually provide positive results right away. Blood tests will be taken as the patient begins to recover. These tests will tell the doctor when it is safe to begin to slowly ween the patient off of the corticosteroid medications. Communication between the patient and the doctor during this time is very important. If the dosage of the corticosteroid is cut back too quickly, the patient's symptoms may return. By letting the doctor know that some symptoms have worsened, the physician can then adjust the dosage. Remaining on corticosteroids for an extended period of time can take a toll on the patient's health as well. For this reason, it is very important to begin to decrease the dosage as soon as it is safe for the patient.
Patients that find benefit in polymyalgia rheumatica treatment can unfortunately also face serious complications such as giant cell arteritis. Both of these illness can be contracted independently of one another, but both seem to have ties to the immune system. In many cases, patients who have had to deal with polymyalgia rheumatica may also find that they will at some time have to deal with giant cell arteritis. The exact cause of giant cell arteritis is not known, but some experts have theorized that the immune system is malfunctioning and is attacking the patient's body. The disease involves a serious inflammation of the blood vessels. Symptoms of this illness may include headaches, muscle pain, fatigue, low fever, vision disturbances, and weight loss. Without polymyalgia rheumatica treatment, patients may suffer strokes, mini strokes, or even blindness. Steroid medications are most commonly administered to treat this serious and painful malady. The disease can, unfortunately, be very persistent and long lasting. It can take up to two years to run its full course. But with timely treatment, patients can survive this illness and regain their health. The Bible assures believers that God has not forgotten them. "For the needy shall not always be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever." (Psalm 9:18)
Patients can also implement polymyalgia rheumatica treatment through a number of steps that they can incorporate into their everyday life. Regular exercise can be very beneficial and may help the patient stay more flexible. Corticosteroid drugs can sometimes cause weight gain and exercise can help to ward this off. A healthy diet is important as well. Taking vitamins and other dietary supplements can be helpful, but should only be done after consulting a physician. Patient should also take pains to make sure that they do not overtax themselves and that they get sufficient rest. Working with a physician, patients can find relief and eventual recovery from this illness.
Polymyalgia rheumatica, or PMR, affects the large arteries, which become inflamed. The severity of symptoms and the type of polymyalgia rheumatica treatment will vary from person to person. In addition to moderate to severe aching and stiffness in the neck, shoulders, arms, hips and thighs, patients will often be anemic and complain of an overall sense of sickness that is difficult to define. In some cases, particularly at the beginning of the illness, only one side of the body may be impacted. But eventually, the symptoms will usually spread to both sides of the body. Diagnosis can be difficult since many of the symptoms may masquerade as other illnesses. Morning stiffness is generally the most severe, although some patients have reported being woken up during the night by the pain and discomfort that this illness causes. The inflammation is the result of white blood cells that begin to attack the lining of the joints. It is not clear what causes this to happen, but some experts feel that there may be a connection between PMR and some viruses. The adenovirus is suspected to have involvement and is a virus that causes respiratory infections. This disease is most likely to afflict women, but men have been known to contract the disease as well.
In less severe cases, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may provide successful polymyalgia rheumatica treatment. These medications would include aspirin and ibuprofen. There can be a number of harmful side effects associated with the long term use of these over the counter drugs, however. Bleeding in the stomach or intestines, elevated blood pressure, the retention of fluid, liver and kidney problems, and cognitive problems may result from using these medications over an extended period of time. Doctors will more frequently prescribe corticosteroids for polymyalgia rheumatica treatment. These medications will usually provide positive results right away. Blood tests will be taken as the patient begins to recover. These tests will tell the doctor when it is safe to begin to slowly ween the patient off of the corticosteroid medications. Communication between the patient and the doctor during this time is very important. If the dosage of the corticosteroid is cut back too quickly, the patient's symptoms may return. By letting the doctor know that some symptoms have worsened, the physician can then adjust the dosage. Remaining on corticosteroids for an extended period of time can take a toll on the patient's health as well. For this reason, it is very important to begin to decrease the dosage as soon as it is safe for the patient.
Patients that find benefit in polymyalgia rheumatica treatment can unfortunately also face serious complications such as giant cell arteritis. Both of these illness can be contracted independently of one another, but both seem to have ties to the immune system. In many cases, patients who have had to deal with polymyalgia rheumatica may also find that they will at some time have to deal with giant cell arteritis. The exact cause of giant cell arteritis is not known, but some experts have theorized that the immune system is malfunctioning and is attacking the patient's body. The disease involves a serious inflammation of the blood vessels. Symptoms of this illness may include headaches, muscle pain, fatigue, low fever, vision disturbances, and weight loss. Without polymyalgia rheumatica treatment, patients may suffer strokes, mini strokes, or even blindness. Steroid medications are most commonly administered to treat this serious and painful malady. The disease can, unfortunately, be very persistent and long lasting. It can take up to two years to run its full course. But with timely treatment, patients can survive this illness and regain their health. The Bible assures believers that God has not forgotten them. "For the needy shall not always be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever." (Psalm 9:18)
Patients can also implement polymyalgia rheumatica treatment through a number of steps that they can incorporate into their everyday life. Regular exercise can be very beneficial and may help the patient stay more flexible. Corticosteroid drugs can sometimes cause weight gain and exercise can help to ward this off. A healthy diet is important as well. Taking vitamins and other dietary supplements can be helpful, but should only be done after consulting a physician. Patient should also take pains to make sure that they do not overtax themselves and that they get sufficient rest. Working with a physician, patients can find relief and eventual recovery from this illness.
0 коммент.:
Отправить комментарий