Polymyalgia Rheumatica Center - Pawtucket, RIPawtucket 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 Pawtucket * Memorial Hospital Internal Medicine  Rheumatology Associates  Rheumatology Associates  Rheumatology Associates  Rheumatology Associates  Rheumatology Associates  University Medical Group  University Medical Group  University Medical Group  Anchor Medical Associates  Arthritis Center of Rhode Island  University Medicine Foundation  University Medicine Foundation  University Medicine Foundation  Ocean State Health Care Clinics  Jack Mourad MD  Orthopaedic Associates Inc  J Scott Toder MD  Medical Group of Rhode Island Inc  Ralph A DiGiacomo MD  Metacom Medical Walk In  Kent Rheumotologists  Kent Rheumotologists  Newport Rheumatology Services  Coastal Rheumatology  Coastal Rheumatology Pawtucket, Rhode IslandUpcoming Local Events2012-06-10
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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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Nearby Pawtucket Hospitals *Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island The Miriam Hospital Butler Hospital Arbour-Fuller Hospital Providence VA Medical Center Roger Williams Medical Center Our Lady of Fatima Hospital Hasbro Children's Hospital Rhode Island Hospital Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island Southern New England Rehabilitation Center St Joseph Health Services Bradley Hospital Sturdy Memorial Hospital Rehabilitation Hospital of Rhode Island Eleanor Slater Hospital Pastore Center Landmark Medical Center Kent Hospital Taunton State Hospital Morton Hospital & Medical Center Charlton Memorial Hospital Saint Anne's Hospital Milford Regional Medical Center Eleanor Slater Hospital Zambarano Unit Boston VA Healthcare System Brockton Kindred Specialty Hospital Stoughton  Caritas Good Samaritan Medical Center  Caritas Norwood Hospital  New England Sinai Hospital & Rehabilitation Center  Westwood Lodge Hospital  Massachusetts Hospital School  New Bedford Rehabilitation Hospital  Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital  Hubbard Regional Hospital  Newport Hospital  Day Kimball Hospital  Kindred Specialty Hospital Braintree  Kindred Specialty Hospital Natick  MetroWest Medical Center Leonard Morse Hospital  MetroWest Medical Center Framingham Union Hospital  Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Needham  St Luke's Hospital  Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital  Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital Westborough  VA Boston Healthcare System West Roxbury Campus  Milton Hospital  South Shore Hospital  Bournewood Hospital  South County Hospital  Westborough State Hospital  Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for the Aged  Quincy Medical Center  Faulkner Hospital  Caritas Carney Hospital  Newton Wellesley Hospital  Massachusetts Mental Health Center  Lemuel Shattuck Hospital  Arbour Hospital  UMass Memorial Medical Center University Campus  Worcester State Hospital  Radius Specialty Hospital Boston  UMass Memorial Marlborough Hospital  VA Boston Healthcare System Jamaica Plain Campus  St Vincent Hospital at Worcester Medical Center  New England Baptist Hospital  UMass Memorial Medical Center Memorial Campus  Brigham & Women's Hospital  Adcare Hospital of Worcester  Caritas St Elizabeth's Medical Center  Dana Farber Cancer Institute  Kindred Hospital Boston  Children's Hospital Boston  Franciscan Hospital for Children  Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center 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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