Polymyalgia Rheumatica Center - Palo Alto, CAPalo Alto Rheumatologist Doctors for Polymyalgia RheumaticaType 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 Palo Alto * Palo Alto Medical Clinic Medical Specialties  Palo Alto Medical Clinic Medical Specialties  Medical Specialties Clinic  Medical Specialties Clinic  Medical Specialties Clinic  Stanford University Medical Center  Menlo Medical Clinic  SOAR Sports Orthopedic & Rehabilitation  SOAR Sports Orthopedic & Rehabilitation  Umesh Sab MD  Camino Medical Group Mountain View Clinic  Camino Medical Group Mountain View Clinic  G Ang-Fonte MD  Kaiser Santa Clara Rheumatology  Michael P Stevens MD  Peninsula Medical Center San Mateo Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation  Barry E Shibuya MD  Fremont Medical Group  Arthritis Care Center  Lipton Kucera & Associates  Arthritis & Rheumatism Center  Arthritis & Rheumatism Center  Arthritis & Rheumatism Center  Burlingame Pacifica Medical Group  Peninsula Medical Group  East Bay Rheumatology  Feng Lee & Restifo MD  Feng Lee & Restifo MD  Feng Lee & Restifo MD  Bruce J Dreyfuss MD  Hisaka Ohmoto & Charlene Hu MDs  Washington Arthritis Center  Richard R Fong MD  Arthritis and Rheumatology Center  Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center  UC Davis Rheumatology  KPMC Santa Teresa Medical Center Rheumatology  Thomas A McDermott MD  Ephraim P Engleman MD  UCSF Rheumatology  Pacific Rheumatology Associates  Weitz Medical Management  Nancy Lee Carteron MD FACR  Michael K Chan MD  Pacific Rheumatology Associates  Pacific Heights Medical Group  Mercy Doctors Medical Group  SOAR Medical  Pacific Rheumatology Associates  Pacific Heights Medical Group  Robert J Deitz MD  Internal Medicine  Nishio & Sharma MD  Nishio & Sharma MD  UCSF VA Medical Center  Northern California Arthritis Center  Northern California Arthritis Center  Northern California Arthritis Center  Northern California Arthritis Center  Northern California Arthritis Center  Northern California Arthritis Center  John Muir Medical Center Hospitalist  Ronald G Connolly MD  Joan V Barber MD  Thaila Ramanujam MD  Lester Miller MD  Santa Cruz Medical Foundation Soquel Ave  Kaiser Permanente Medical Group Rheumatology  Ernest I Katler MD  Peter H Stein MD  Joan T Campagna MD  Gerlie L Papillion MD  Monterey Joint Replacement & Sports Medicine  Heart Institute  Arthritis Center  Arthritis Center  Albert A Ferrari MD  Kaiser Stockton Rheumatology  Kaiser Stockton Rheumatology  Kaiser Stockton Rheumatology  Lisa B Kremer MD  Kaiser Permanente  Kanwal Khanna MD  Northern California Medical Associates  UC Davis Specialty Clinic  Sutter Gould Medical Foundation  Raul J Romea MD  Woodland Healthcare Clinic  UC Davis Medical Group Internal & Family Practice Clinic  UC Davis Medical Group Internal & Family Practice Clinic  Mercy Medical Group Medical Specialties  Sutter Medical Foundation Subspecialty  Sutter Medical Foundation Subspecialty  Midtown Internal Medicine Group  Douglas E Roberts MD  Sacramento Rheumatology Consultants  Sacramento Rheumatology Consultants Palo Alto, CaliforniaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-16
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Polymyalgia RheumaticaRead the Polymyalgia Rheumatica article » What is polymyalgia rheumatica?Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a disorder of the muscles and joints characterized by pain and stiffness, affecting both sides of the body, and involving the shoulders, arms, neck, and buttock areas. Patients with polymyalgia rheumatica are typically over the age of 50 years. What causes polymyalgia rheumatica?The cause of polymyalgia rheumatica is not known. Recent research has indicated that genetic (inherited) factors play a role in who becomes afflicted with the illness. Theories have included viral stimulation of the immune system in genetically susceptible individuals. Rarely, polymyalgia rheumatica is associated with a cancer. In this setting, the cancer may be initiating an inflammatory immune response to cause the polymyalgia rheumatica symptoms.
What are symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica?The onset of the illness can be sudden. A patient may have a healthy history until awakening one morning with stiffness and pain of muscles and joints throughout the body. These symptoms persist and are often accompanied by an intense sensation of fatigue. Some patients notice a gradual loss of appetite, weight, and energy. Depression can occur.
How is polymyalgia rheumatica diagnosed?The doctor frequently notes muscle tenderness and that the motion of the shoulders is limited by pain. The joints are usually not swollen. However, swelling of the small joints of the hands, wrists, and/or knees can occur. Blood testing for inflammation is generally abnormal, as indicated by a significant elevation in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and/or C-reactive protein. There are no specific tests, however, for polymyalgia rheumatica and X-rays... Recommended Reading Related to Polymyalgia RheumaticaDepression facts
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