Polyarteritis Nodosa Center - Portage, MI
Portage Rheumatologist Doctors for Polyarteritis NodosaType of Physician: Rheumatologist What is a Rheumatologist? A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; practitioners treat diseases of the joints, muscles, bones, and tendons. The rheumatologist diagnoses and treats arthritis, back pain, muscle strains, common athletic injuries, etc. The rheumatologist may work closely with other specialists such as orthopaedic surgeons and physical therapists. Specialty: Rheumatology Common Name: Rheumatologist Doctors in Portage * Rheumatology PC  Rheumatology PC  Midwest Arthritis Center  Midwest Arthritis Center  Midwest Arthritis Center  Associated Internal Medicine Specialists PC  Associated Internal Medicine Specialists PC  Healthpark Medical Specialists  West Michigan Rheumatology PLLC  West Michigan Rheumatology PLLC  West Michigan Rheumatology PLLC  West Michigan Rheumatology PLLC  Arthritis Specialists Western Michigan  Arthritis Specialists Western Michigan  Arthritis Specialists Western Michigan  Arthritis & Rheumatology Center of Hillsdale PC  Beals Institute PC  Beals Institute PC  Beals Institute PC  Justus Fiechtner MD  Justus Fiechtner MD  Advanced Rheumatology, PC  Carla Guggenheim DO  Allegiance South  Allegiance South  Muskegon Rheumatology  John Kolstoe MD  Richard A Pittsley MD PC  Niti Thakur MD Portage, MichiganUpcoming Local Events2012-06-02
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Polyarteritis NodosaRead the Polyarteritis Nodosa article » What is polyarteritis nodosa?Polyarteritis nodosa is a rare autoimmune disease (immune system attacking its own body) featuring spontaneous inflammation of the arteries (arteritis). Because arteries are involved, the disease can affect any organ of the body. The most common areas of involvement include the muscles, joints, intestines (bowels), nerves, kidneys, and skin. Poor function or pain in any of these organs can be a symptom. Poor blood supply to the bowels can cause abdominal pain, local bowel death, and bleeding. Fatigue, weight loss, and fever are common. Polyarteritis nodosa is most common in middle-age people. Its cause is unknown, but it has been reported after hepatitis B infection. Polyarteritis is not felt to be an inherited condition.
How is polyarteritis nodosa diagnosed?The diagnosis is supported by tests that indicate inflammation including elevation of blood sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein. The white blood cell count and platelet count can be elevated, while the red blood count is decreased (anemia). Hepatitis B virus testing (for either antigen and antibody) can be found in 10%-20% of patients with polyarteritis nodosa. Urine testing can show protein and red blood cells in the urine. In patients with nerves affected, nerve function tests are abnormal. The diagnosis of polyarteritis nodosa is confirmed by a biopsy of involved tissue that reveals the inflamed blood vessels (vasculitis). Examples of tissues that are sometimes biopsied include nerves, muscle, kidneys, and bowel. Vasculitis of the bowel and kidneys can often be detected with an angiogram (x-ray testing while contrast "dye" is infused into the blood vessels). The American College of Rheumatology established criteria for the classification of polyarteritis nodosa in 1990. For classification purposes, a patient is said to have polyarteritis nodosa if ... Recommended Reading Related to Polyarteritis NodosaScleritis facts
What is scleritis?Scleritis is an inflammation of the sclera, the white portion of the eye. What is the sclera?The sclera is the tough, white fibrous outer wall layer of the eye. It is a type of connective tissue. The sclera provides both the white color of the eye and allows the eye to maintain its shape. It extends from the edge of the cornea (the clear, dome-shaped window in the front of the eye) all the way to the optic nerve in the back of the eye.
What causes scleritis?Scleritis is an uncommon disease and is differentiated from episcleritis, which is a more common ocular condition. In episcleritis,... Other Related Polyarteritis Nodosa ArticlesEmergency Contact for Portage
Nearby Portage Hospitals *Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital Bronson Vicksburg Hospital Bronson Methodist Hospital Borgess Medical Center Three Rivers Health Bronson LakeView Hospital Borgess Pipp Hospital Battle Creek VA Medical Center Fieldstone Center Battle Creek Health System Southwest Regional Rehabilitation Center Allegan General Hospital Sturgis Hospital Borgess Lee Memorial Hospital Oaklawn Hospital Community Hospital Watervliet Pennock Hospital Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
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Vasculitis
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Scleritis
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