Polymyalgia Rheumatica Center - Penn Hills, PAPenn Hills 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 Penn Hills * Margolis Rheumatology Associates  Margolis Rheumatology Associates  Margolis Rheumatology Associates  Margolis Rheumatology Associates  Arthritis & Rheumatic Disease Associates  Lupus Center of Excellence  Arthritis & Rheumatic Disease Associates  Arthritis & Rheumatic Disease Associates  Arthritis & Rheumatic Disease Associates  Allegheny North Arthritis Center PC  Allegheny North Arthritis Center PC  Arthritis & Internal Medicine Associates UPMC  University of Pittsburgh Arthritis & Autoimmunity Center  Arthritis & Internal Medicine Associates UPMC  Arthritis & Internal Medicine Associates UPMC  Arthritis & Internal Medicine Associates UPMC  Arthritis & Internal Medicine Associates UPMC  University of Pittsburgh Arthritis & Autoimmunity Center  University of Pittsburgh Arthritis & Autoimmunity Center  University of Pittsburgh Arthritis & Autoimmunity Center  University of Pittsburgh Arthritis & Autoimmunity Center  Arthritis & Internal Medicine Associates UPMC  University of Pittsburgh Arthritis & Autoimmunity Center  Lupus Center of Excellence  Lupus Center of Excellence  Lupus Center of Excellence  Larry W Moreland MD  Domingo G Ottenello MD  Allegheny North Arthritis Center PC  Ajay K Mathur MD  Pittsburgh Rheumatology Associates  Pittsburgh Rheumatology Associates  Pittsburgh Rheumatology Associates  Pittsburgh Rheumatology Associates  Mitra Arthritis & Osteoporosis Center PC  Pucevich & Pucevich MDs  Geri L Bacu MD  Heritage Valley Rheumatology  Heritage Valley Rheumatology  Arthritis & Rheumatology Associates  Richard H Kim DO  Northwest Physicians Associates  Alleghenies Independent Physicians Inc  Magdy K Iskander MD  Altoona Arthritis & Osteoporosis Center  Altoona Arthritis & Osteoporosis Center  Altoona Arthritis & Osteoporosis Center  Altoona Arthritis & Osteoporosis Center  Altoona Arthritis & Osteoporosis Center Penn Hills, PennsylvaniaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-02
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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
Other Related Polymyalgia Rheumatica ArticlesEmergency Contact for Penn Hills
Nearby Penn Hills Hospitals *HEALTHSOUTH Harmarville Rehabilitation Hospital UPMC St Margaret VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System LifeCare Hospitals of Pittsburgh Main Campus Transitional Infant Care Hospital The Children's Institute UPMC Shadyside Western Pennsylvania Hospital UPMC Braddock The Western Pennsylvania Hospital Forbes Regional Campus HEALTHSOUTH Hospital of Pittsburgh Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh UPMC Presbyterian Magee-Womens Hospital UPMC Mercy UPMC Southside Allegheny General Hospital Kindred Hospital Pittsburgh North Shore Alle-Kiski Medical Center Select Specialty Hospital McKeesport UPMC McKeesport UPMC Passavant Allegheny General Hospital Suburban Campus LifeCare Hospitals of Pittsburgh North Campus Jefferson Regional Medical Center Ohio Valley General Hospital St Clair Hospital Westmoreland Excela Health Hospital at Jeannette Heritage Valley Sewickley Hospital UPMC Passavant Cranberry Mayview State Hospital Southwood Psychiatric Hospital HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital of Sewickley Westmoreland Regional Hospital Kindred Hospital Pittsburgh Monongahela Valley Hospital Butler Memorial Hospital Canonsburg General Hospital ACMH Hospital Butler VA Medical Center Latrobe Area Hospital Select Specialty Hospital Greensburg Frick Hospital Kindred Hospital at Heritage Valley Medical Center of Beaver Torrance State Hospital The Washington Hospital Ellwood City 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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