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Fibromyalgia(RH002)
Introduction
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a rheumatologic disorder characterized by long-standing pain (> 3 months) that originates from tendons, ligaments, bursae and muscle tissue, but without inflammation. FMS is thought to be a multifactorial syndrome characterized in part by abnormal central sensory processing of pain signals.
FMS has been divided into two types: primary and secondary. In primary FMS there is no underlying diagnosis causing the syndrome. Secondary FMS has a probable cause. It may be the result of trauma, such as a car accident, or an overlay of a mechanical or skeletal malalignment.
It is thought that 3-6 million persons in the United States are affected by FMS. The syndrome occurs most commonly in women between the ages of 20 and 50, however children, men and the elderly can also be affected.
The cause of FMS is not known. Research is investigating the possibility that injury or trauma may affect the central nervous system and subsequently lead to the syndrome. Also being studied is the role of stress, and changes in the metabolism in the head and face as well as skeletal muscles. Several studies have suggested that heredity also plays a role.
Because the cause of fibromyalgia is not known, treatment is aimed at managing its symptoms. This is accomplished with a variety of medications, lifestyle and dietary interventions, as well as complementary approaches.
Get the Facts... With your MediFocus Guide
The Medifocus Guide on Fibromyalgia provides answers to the following important questions and medical issues:
What are the most common symptoms of fibromyalgia?Are there any recognized risk factors for developing fibromyalgia?What kinds of medical tests are used to establish the diagnosis of fibromyalgia?What is the current standard of care for the treatment of fibromyalgia?What treatment options are available for the management of fibromyalgia?Are there any promising new developments or potential breakthroughs in treatment?Who are the most notable medical authorities who specialize in fibromyalgia?Where are the leading hospitals and centers of research for fibromyalgia?What are the most important questions to ask my doctor about fibromyalgia?What Your Doctor Reads:
This MediFocus Guide contains an extensive listing of citations and abstracts of recent journal articles that have been published about this condition in trustworthy medical journals. This is the same type of information that is available to physicians and other health care professionals. A partial selection of journal articles that are abstracted in this MediFocus Guide includes:
Is it juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia?.Medical Clinics of North America. 2000 Neuroendocrine deficiency-mediated development and persistence of pain in fibromyalgia: a promising paradigm?.Pain. 2000 Multidisciplinary rehabilitation for fibromyalgia and musculoskeletal pain in working age adults.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews [computer file]. 2000 What happens to the fibromyalgia concept?.Clinical Rheumatology. 2000 Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and myofascial pain syndrome.Current Opinion in Rheumatology. 2000 Fibromyalgia.Health News. 2000 Trauma and fibromyalgia: is there an association and what does it mean?.Seminars in Arthritis & Rheumatism. 2000 Update on fibromyalgia syndrome.Bulletin on the Rheumatic Diseases. 1999 Review of juvenile primary fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics. 1999 Diagnosis, etiology, and therapy of fibromyalgia.Comprehensive Therapy. 1999 MediFocus Guides... When You Need Trustworthy Medical Information
MediFocus.com understands that consumers who are facing serious medical issues need access to credible, up-to-date medical information to help them make informed health-care decisions. That's why we've developed the MediFocus Guides...the most advanced and trustworthy patient research guides for over 200 chronic and life-threatening conditions. Each MediFocus Guide includes a detailed overview of the condition including information about diagnosis, treatment options, cutting-edge research, and new developments; excerpts of important journal articles from the current medical literature focusing on standard treatments and treatment options; a directory of leading authors and medical institutions who specialize in the treatment of the condition; and a listing of organizations and support groups where you can obtain additional information about the illness.
MediFocus Guides are the perfect solution for consumers who wish to gain an in-depth understanding of their medical issue and avail themselves of the same type of professional level medical information that is used by physicians and other health-care professionals to help then in the clinical decision making process.
© Copyright 2000-2001 Medifocus.com, Inc. All rights reserved.
MediFocus MedCenter ©
Gout(RH004)
Introduction
Gout is a syndrome resulting from the deposition in and around joints of crystals composed of a substance called uric acid (monosodium urate crystals). Uric acid is the end product of the metabolism of a food component called purine. Increased levels of uric acid (hyperuricemia) is a result of either over-production or under-excretion of the substance.
Acute gout typically presents with pain, swelling, warmth and redness in a joint. Usually the first attack affects only one joint. Commonly affected is the large joint at the base of the big toe (podagra). Other joints commonly involved are the ankle, knee, instep or forefoot, wrist and fingers, elbows, and even the spine.
Acute attacks commonly start during the night and usually peak within one to two days of symptoms onset. Untreated attacks may last seven to 10 days.
Treatment goals include termination of the acute attack, prevention of recurrent attacks and prevention of complications (especially kidney disease) associated with the deposition of urate crystals in tissues. Treatment of associated features such as obesity, alcohol use, hypertension, and elevated cholesterol levels also figures prominently in the overall plan.
Get the Facts... With your MediFocus Guide
The Medifocus Guide on Gout provides answers to the following important questions and medical issues:
What are the most common symptoms of gout?Are there any recognized risk factors for developing gout?What kinds of medical tests are used to establish the diagnosis of gout?What is the current standard of care for the treatment of gout?What treatment options are available for the management of gout?Are there any promising new developments or potential breakthroughs in treatment?Who are the most notable medical authorities who specialize in gout?Where are the leading hospitals and centers of research for gout?What are the most important questions to ask my doctor about gout?What Your Doctor Reads:
This MediFocus Guide contains an extensive listing of citations and abstracts of recent journal articles that have been published about this condition in trustworthy medical journals. This is the same type of information that is available to physicians and other health care professionals. A partial selection of journal articles that are abstracted in this MediFocus Guide includes:
Clinical manifestations of gout and their management.Medical Journal of Australia. 2000 Gout update: from lab to the clinic and back.Current Opinion in Rheumatology. 2000 Renal transplant-associated hyperuricemia and gout.Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. 2000 How well have diagnostic tests and therapies for gout been evaluated?.Current Opinion in Rheumatology. 1999 Kienbock's disease and gout.Journal of Hand Surgery - British Volume. 1999 Diagnosis and management of gout.American Family Physician. 1999 Gout and hyperuricemia.American Family Physician. 1999 Reappraisal of the pathogenesis and consequences of hyperuricemia in hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and renal disease.American Journal of Kidney Diseases. 1999 Care of the patient with gout.Geriatric Nursing. 1999 Finger pad tophi.Cutis. 1999 MediFocus Guides... When You Need Trustworthy Medical Information
MediFocus.com understands that consumers who are facing serious medical issues need access to credible, up-to-date medical information to help them make informed health-care decisions. That's why we've developed the MediFocus Guides...the most advanced and trustworthy patient research guides for over 200 chronic and life-threatening conditions. Each MediFocus Guide includes a detailed overview of the condition including information about diagnosis, treatment options, cutting-edge research, and new developments; excerpts of important journal articles from the current medical literature focusing on standard treatments and treatment options; a directory of leading authors and medical institutions who specialize in the treatment of the condition; and a listing of organizations and support groups where you can obtain additional information about the illness.
MediFocus Guides are the perfect solution for consumers who wish to gain an in-depth understanding of their medical issue and avail themselves of the same type of professional level medical information that is used by physicians and other health-care professionals to help then in the clinical decision making process.
© Copyright 2000-2001 Medifocus.com, Inc. All rights reserved.
MediFocus MedCenter ©
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis(RH005)
Introduction
Chronic arthritis in childhood is not a single entity but a heterogeneous group of disorders. The term juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA) had been common in Europe while Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) was used in North America. In 1997, these terms were discarded for a broader, universal term, Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). JIA defines arthritis beginning at less than 16 years of age and persisting for at least 6 weeks and with no known cause.
Rheumatoid factor positive polyarthritis (with RF testing positive on at lest two occasions three months apart) include approximately 10% of children with polyarticular JIA. The majority of affected children are adolescent girls who develop symmetrical polyarthritis affectingmany joints but usually including the small joints of their hands. This will frequently progress to an erosive arthropathy with a disease course similar to that of adult rheumatoid arthritis. This is essentially early onset 'adult-type' rheumatoid arthritis.
As with adults, treatment of Juvenile Arthritis is aimed at controlling inflammation and minimizing its effects on the joints. Localized joint problems can be minimized by good early control of the inflammatory process. Drug treatment is combined with physical therapy and the judicious use of splinting to maintain correct joint position and function.
Get the Facts... With your MediFocus Guide
The Medifocus Guide on Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis provides answers to the following important questions and medical issues:
What are the most common symptoms of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis?Are there any recognized risk factors for developing Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis?What kinds of medical tests are used to establish the diagnosis of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis?What is the current standard of care for the treatment of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis?What treatment options are available for the management of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis?Are there any promising new developments or potential breakthroughs in treatment?Who are the most notable medical authorities who specialize in Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis?Where are the leading hospitals and centers of research for Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis?What are the most important questions to ask my doctor about Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis?What Your Doctor Reads:
This MediFocus Guide contains an extensive listing of citations and abstracts of recent journal articles that have been published about this condition in trustworthy medical journals. This is the same type of information that is available to physicians and other health care professionals. A partial selection of journal articles that are abstracted in this MediFocus Guide includes:
Is it juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia?.Medical Clinics of North America. 2000 Oral health and juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a review.Rheumatology (Oxford). 2000 Musculoskeletal diseases in adolescence.Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of London. 2000 Gene therapy for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis?.Journal of Rheumatology. 2000 The role of bone marrow transplantation in pediatric rheumatic diseases.Journal of Rheumatology. 2000 Effects of rheumatic disease and corticosteroid treatment on calcium metabolism and bone density in children assessed one year after diagnosis, using stable isotopes and dual energy x-ray absorptiometry.Journal of Rheumatology. 2000 Bone mineral status in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.Journal of Rheumatology. 2000 The pain puzzle: a visual and conceptual metaphor for understanding and treating pain in pediatric rheumatic disease.Journal of Rheumatology. 2000 Update on functional assessment tools.Journal of Rheumatology. 2000 Innovative strategies for trial design.Journal of Rheumatology. 2000 MediFocus Guides... When You Need Trustworthy Medical Information
MediFocus.com understands that consumers who are facing serious medical issues need access to credible, up-to-date medical information to help them make informed health-care decisions. That's why we've developed the MediFocus Guides...the most advanced and trustworthy patient research guides for over 200 chronic and life-threatening conditions. Each MediFocus Guide includes a detailed overview of the condition including information about diagnosis, treatment options, cutting-edge research, and new developments; excerpts of important journal articles from the current medical literature focusing on standard treatments and treatment options; a directory of leading authors and medical institutions who specialize in the treatment of the condition; and a listing of organizations and support groups where you can obtain additional information about the illness.
MediFocus Guides are the perfect solution for consumers who wish to gain an in-depth understanding of their medical issue and avail themselves of the same type of professional level medical information that is used by physicians and other health-care professionals to help then in the clinical decision making process.
© Copyright 2000-2001 Medifocus.com, Inc. All rights reserved.
MediFocus MedCenter ©
Rheumatoid Arthritis(RH009)
Introduction
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, inflammatory, systemic disease characterized by joint pain and swelling, joint destruction, and the formation of pannus (a membrane of granulation tissue on the surfaces of the joint). RA typically affects many different joints and may also affect internal organs. It can be chronic and is often characterized by flares and remissions.
In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system, for unknown reasons, attacks a person's own cells inside the joint capsule. White blood cells that are part of the normal immune system travel to the synovium and causes inflammation called synovitis. In addition, the cells of the synovium grow and divide abnormally, making the normally thin synovium thick and resulting in joint swelling.
As rheumatoid arthritis progresses, these abnormal synovial cells begin to invade and destroy the cartilage and bone within the joint. The surrounding muscles, ligaments, and tendons that support and stabilize the joint become weak and unable to work normally. It is thought that significant damage to bones begins during the first year or two that a person has the disease. This is one reason early diagnosis and treatment is so important in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis affects 2.1 million Americans, mostly women (1.5 million women / 600,000 men). Onset is usually in middle age, but may occur in the 20s and 30s.
Treatment is designed to control disease activity, reduce symptoms, slow joint damage and optimize quality of life.
Get the Facts... With your MediFocus Guide
The Medifocus Guide on Rheumatoid Arthritis provides answers to the following important questions and medical issues:
What are the most common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis?Are there any recognized risk factors for developing rheumatoid arthritis?What kinds of medical tests are used to establish the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis?What is the current standard of care for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis?What treatment options are available for the management of rheumatoid arthritis?Are there any promising new developments or potential breakthroughs in treatment?Who are the most notable medical authorities who specialize in rheumatoid arthritis?Where are the leading hospitals and centers of research for rheumatoid arthritis?What are the most important questions to ask my doctor about rheumatoid arthritis?What Your Doctor Reads:
This MediFocus Guide contains an extensive listing of citations and abstracts of recent journal articles that have been published about this condition in trustworthy medical journals. This is the same type of information that is available to physicians and other health care professionals. A partial selection of journal articles that are abstracted in this MediFocus Guide includes:
Leflunomide for rheumatoid arthritis.Drug & Therapeutics Bulletin. 2000 Pharmacoeconomics of drug therapy for rheumatoid arthritis.Rheumatology (Oxford). 2000 New and future drug therapies for rheumatoid arthritis.Rheumatology (Oxford). 2000 Current treatment paradigms in rheumatoid arthritis.Rheumatology (Oxford). 2000 Prognostic factors in early rheumatoid arthritis.Rheumatology (Oxford). 2000 Functional disability and quality-of-life assessment in clinical practice.Rheumatology (Oxford). 2000 Radiographic imaging: the 'gold standard' for assessment of disease progression in rheumatoid arthritis.Rheumatology (Oxford). 2000 New insights into the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis.Rheumatology (Oxford). 2000 Tumor necrosis factor inactivation in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.Southern Medical Journal. 2000 Yttrium radiosynoviorthesis in the treatment of knee arthritis in rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review.Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. 2000 MediFocus Guides... When You Need Trustworthy Medical Information
MediFocus.com understands that consumers who are facing serious medical issues need access to credible, up-to-date medical information to help them make informed health-care decisions. That's why we've developed the MediFocus Guides...the most advanced and trustworthy patient research guides for over 200 chronic and life-threatening conditions. Each MediFocus Guide includes a detailed overview of the condition including information about diagnosis, treatment options, cutting-edge research, and new developments; excerpts of important journal articles from the current medical literature focusing on standard treatments and treatment options; a directory of leading authors and medical institutions who specialize in the treatment of the condition; and a listing of organizations and support groups where you can obtain additional information about the illness.
MediFocus Guides are the perfect solution for consumers who wish to gain an in-depth understanding of their medical issue and avail themselves of the same type of professional level medical information that is used by physicians and other health-care professionals to help then in the clinical decision making process.
© Copyright 2000-2001 Medifocus.com, Inc. All rights reserved.
MediFocus MedCenter ©
Scleroderma (Systemic Sclerosis)(RH010)
Introduction
Scleroderma is a disease of the skin, joints and sometimes, internal organs. Its cause is not known. Scleroderma means hardening (fibrosis) of the skin, and due to malfunction of the vascular and immune systems, results in the overproduction of collagen (connective tissue in the body). Scleroderma can be localized to the skin or may become systemic with excess collagen building up in various organs such as the esophagus, kidneys, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, heart skin, and peripheral nervous system.
Fortunately, scleroderma is relatively rare affecting approximately 300,000 persons in the United States. The disorder most commonly occurs in women between the ages of 20 and 40, however men and children can be affected as well. The disease is not contagious and is not thought to be inherited.
Early diagnosis is important in allowing initiation of treatments designed to prevent long-term complications. Medications are commonly used. Surgery may be required for some conditions. Research is investigating bone marrow transplants for persons with scleroderma.
Get the Facts... With your MediFocus Guide
The Medifocus Guide on Scleroderma provides answers to the following important questions and medical issues:
What are the most common symptoms of scleroderma?Are there any recognized risk factors for developing scleroderma?What kinds of medical tests are used to establish the diagnosis of scleroderma?What is the current standard of care for the treatment of scleroderma?What treatment options are available for the management of scleroderma?Are there any promising new developments or potential breakthroughs in treatment?Who are the most notable medical authorities who specialize in scleroderma?Where are the leading hospitals and centers of research for scleroderma?What are the most important questions to ask my doctor about scleroderma?What Your Doctor Reads:
This MediFocus Guide contains an extensive listing of citations and abstracts of recent journal articles that have been published about this condition in trustworthy medical journals. This is the same type of information that is available to physicians and other health care professionals. A partial selection of journal articles that are abstracted in this MediFocus Guide includes:
Prazosin for Raynaud's phenomenon in progressive systemic sclerosis.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews [computer file]. 2000 Cyclofenil for Raynaud's phenomenon in progressive systemic sclerosis.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews [computer file]. 2000 Ketanserin for Raynaud's phenomenon in progressive systemic sclerosis.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews [computer file]. 2000 Iloprost and cisaprost for Raynaud's phenomenon in progressive systemic sclerosis.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews [computer file]. 2000 De novo systemic sclerosis after radiotherapy: a report of 3 cases.Journal of Rheumatology. 1999 Polyneuropathy as initial manifestation of systemic sclerosis (scleroderma).Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology. 1999 Morphea and localized scleroderma in children.Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine & Surgery. 1999 The treatment of systemic sclerosis.Advances in Experimental Medicine & Biology. 1999 Early diagnosis of systemic sclerosis.Advances in Experimental Medicine & Biology. 1999 Raynaud's phenomenon and vascular disease in systemic sclerosis.Advances in Experimental Medicine & Biology. 1999 MediFocus Guides... When You Need Trustworthy Medical Information
MediFocus.com understands that consumers who are facing serious medical issues need access to credible, up-to-date medical information to help them make informed health-care decisions. That's why we've developed the MediFocus Guides...the most advanced and trustworthy patient research guides for over 200 chronic and life-threatening conditions. Each MediFocus Guide includes a detailed overview of the condition including information about diagnosis, treatment options, cutting-edge research, and new developments; excerpts of important journal articles from the current medical literature focusing on standard treatments and treatment options; a directory of leading authors and medical institutions who specialize in the treatment of the condition; and a listing of organizations and support groups where you can obtain additional information about the illness.
MediFocus Guides are the perfect solution for consumers who wish to gain an in-depth understanding of their medical issue and avail themselves of the same type of professional level medical information that is used by physicians and other health-care professionals to help then in the clinical decision making process.
© Copyright 2000-2001 Medifocus.com, Inc. All rights reserved.