Many autoimmune diseases are more common among women than men. In fact, nine out of ten patients with lupus are women, and physicians and researchers currently do not understand why. Clinical research is playing a vital role in discovering why conditions like lupus affect more women than men. Read on to find out more. What …
What is Lyme Disease? Lyme disease is an infection caused by a bacterium carried by deer ticks. The bacterium is called borrelia burgdorferi. The carrier tick passes the bacteria to animals and humans through their bites. The bacteria travels through the blood stream and will settle in various body tissues, causing a different number of …
Muscle pain and stiffness, party of one. Name? Polymyalgia Rheumatica. Polymyalgia Rheumatica, often times referred to as PMR, is an inflammatory condition that causes widespread muscle pain and stiffness, most commonly occurring in people over the age of 50. PMR symptoms typically develop quickly and are more severe during the morning, after hours of inactivity. …
Lupus can affect just about any part of the body. It affects different people in different ways, which is something that can make lupus hard to diagnose. Technically speaking, lupus is an inflammatory disease that causes the immune system to attack its own tissues. Often times, those suffering with the disease don’t have any visible …
Raising a family is a challenge in itself. When you throw Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) into the mix, things can get a little dicey. Rheumatoid arthritis affects more than 2 million Americans, with the majority of them being women. RA occurs when your body’s immune system targets the healthy tissues of your joint linings. RA commonly …
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is a digestive disorder that can cause symptoms like chest pain and burning, especially after eating, and difficulty swallowing. GERD is a chronic disease that occurs when stomach acid flows into the food pipe, irritating the lining. Acid reflux and frequent heartburn are common GERD symptoms. Avoiding trigger foods may …
Celiac disease (CeD) is a serious autoimmune disorder triggered by the consumption of a protein called gluten, which is found in wheat, barley, and rye. CeD causes symptoms like abdomen pain, diarrhea, and bloating. CeD affects approximately 1 in 133 Americans, but it’s estimated that over 80% of those with celiac disease are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed with …
It’s Healthy Aging Month and there’s no better time to get started on better health practices! As we get older, we’re more susceptible to developing conditions like arthritis which can cause pain and stiffness in the joints. The goal of Healthy Aging Month is to focus on the positive aspects of getting older. For seniors, …
Ankylosing Spondylitis, or AS, is an inflammatory form of arthritis that affects the spine and large joints. It can cause inflammation between the vertebrae, the joints between the spine and the pelvis, and typically results in reduced flexibility in the spine which can lead to some degree of spinal fusion. This reduced flexibility can eventually …
Osteoarthritis, or OA, affects more than 27 million Americans making it the most common form of arthritis. Known as the “wear and tear” arthritis, it occurs when the cushioning (cartilage) between the joints breaks down causing symptoms like pain, swelling, and stiffness. Many factors come in to play when it comes to determining whether or …
