StemCell Therapy

There are more than 100 types of rheumatic diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, gout andlupus. These diseases can greatly impact a persons ability to move without pain.

Rheumatic diseases cause more disability than heart disease, cancer ordiabetes, according to the American College of Rheumatology, but rheumatic diseases tend to be much less understood than the big-name, high-profile diseases. Through practice and education, UCF Health elevates the care of rheumatic diseases to give patients a better quality of life.

Patients often go months or even years in pain before they are accurately diagnosed, says Dr. Shazia Bg, a rheumatologist at UCF Health. There are efforts being made within the rheumatology profession to increase awareness of rheumatic diseases among primary care providers so patients get proper care in a timely manner and thereby have better outcomes. This is especially important in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, where the first six months of symptoms can lead to joint damage if not treated.

For some, the struggle with rheumatic disease begins at a young age, and arthritis is often overlooked. This can make accurate diagnoses a struggle for many patients, a number of whom spend years seeking an explanation for their symptoms. Misdiagnoses are not only frustrating, but there can be long-term effects when diseases go untreated.

Managing a disease like rheumatoid arthritis to prevent joint damage and other systemic complications, such as early heart disease, requires a partnership between the patient, the rheumatologist, the primary care physician and sometimes other specialists such as cardiologists. Although there are several treatment options for people with rheumatic diseases, medications can have different effects on different patients. What works for one person might not work for another.

The medications we have today offer patients a much improved quality of life, says rheumatologist Dr. Neha Bhanusali. But finding the best medication that controls their symptoms with minimal to no side effects can take some trial and error.

The rheumatologists at UCF Health incorporate the latest medical literature in treatment and prevention and customize treatment plans based on the patients history, goals, concerns and values to find the best fit for arthritis medications. This is a highly individualized disease, and therefore treatment should always be highly individualized, says Dr. Bhanusali.

Improving the clinical skills of medical professionals is especially important for the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic diseases since symptoms can differ widely from person to person, making diagnosis difficult.In addition to treating patients, the UCF Health rheumatology team also teaches at the UCF College of Medicine, elevating the awareness of rheumatic diseases among the medical students and residents. Through the med students required course work, they gain exposure to elements of rheumatology, which not only helps decrease misdiagnoses, and therefore shortens the gap between symptom onset and treatment, but also can encourage more students to join the subspecialty.

Dr. Bg works with patients to manage pain and mobility issues commonly associated with rheumatic diseases, improving their quality of life and overall health. She is actively involved with the Arthritis Foundation and the Lupus Foundation of Florida to improve education and awareness of these diseases. Dr. Bgs research projects include managing chronic RA pain with a multidisciplinary team that includes physical therapists, psychologists and physicians, and finding possible environmental and microbial triggers for autoimmune rheumatic diseases.

Dr. Bhanusalis areas of specialization include inflammatory arthritis, lupus, osteoarthritis, advanced biologic therapies and osteoporosis. As a believer in the benefits of an active lifestyle, especially when it comes to arthritis management, she works closely with her patients to develop strategies for increasing mobility and improving their quality of life. Dr. Bhanusalis research has examined the effects of yoga on myositis patients and better approaches to patient care in managing RA.

Dr. Hassan decided to specialize in rheumatology to help people have better functionality and therefore a better quality of life. She is especially interested in helping patients with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. With a firm understanding of each patients goals as it relates to their disease and the quality of life they desire, she works with a team of professionals to improve each patients outcomes.

If your joints are stiff or hurting, you should never assume its just the aging process. Similarly, you should not assume your childs joint pain is growing pains or that they are just too lazy to move. If inflammatory arthritis is not detected and treated early, it can lead to permanent joint damage, which is why it is important to discuss your symptoms with your primary care physician who can assess the need for referral to a rheumatologist.

UCF Health is the College of Medicines physician practice, offering primary and specialty care to the community. Its newest office is located in Lake Nona at the corner of Narcoossee Road and Tavistock Lakes Boulevard. Most major insurance plans are accepted. Visit UCFHealth.com for more information, or call (407) 266-DOCS to schedule an appointment.

Lindsay is a marketing professional in the architecture/engineering/construction industry.

See the article here:
Understanding the Different Types of Arthritis - Nonahood News (press release)

This entry was posted on March 22, 2017 at 5:41 pm and is filed under Arthritis. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed. |