Polymyalgia Rheumatica Center - Santa Barbara, CASanta Barbara 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 Santa Barbara * Timothy M Spiegel MD  Sansum Clinic Internal Medicine Dept  Arthritis & Osteoporosis Institute  Arthritis & Osteoporosis Institute  Rheumatology Specialists  SBCH Medical Education Department  Sanda Barbara Cottage Hospital  Sansum Santa Barbara Medical Foundation Clinic Rheumatology  Sansum Santa Barbara Medical Foundation Clinic Rheumatology  Sansum Santa Barbara Medical Foundation Clinic Rheumatology  Alan R Peter MD  Howard Hoos MD  Christian R Dequet DO  Lawrence McAdam MD  Shariar Cohen-Gadol MD  Arthritis Medical Center  Pacific Arthritis Center  Diane C Narhi MD  Affiliates In Medical Specialties Agoura Hills  Jim C Kim MD  Facey Medical Group Valencia II  Olga N Popel MD  Xavier J Caro MD  Jimmy H Hwang MD  Albert R Katz MD  Lawrence A May MD Inc  Rheumatology Therapeutics  Rheumatology Therapeutics  Kenneth K C Hsu MD  Martin Berry MD Inc  Martin Berry MD Inc  Olympic Orthopedic Group  WKWS Group  WKWS Group  Charles Weidmann MD  Charles Weidmann MD  Steven R Weiner MD  Olive View UCLA Medical Center  Smita R. Gupta, MD  Pacific Arthritis Care Center  Pacific Arthritis Care Center  Santa Monica Bay Physicians  UCLA Santa Monica Specialists  Barry Eibschutz MD  Joshua Levy MD  Elyse Rubenstein MD  Swezey Institute  Sandra Ramer MD  Peter A Bardwick MD  May K Chatila MD  Orrin M Troum MD  Philip J Clements MD  UCLA Rheumatology  UCLA Rheumatology  UCLA Rheumatology  Drs Fan Lee & Wollaston  Drs Fan Lee & Wollaston  Drs Fan Lee & Wollaston  Rodney Bluestone Medical Corporation  Bruce L Miller MD  Joel Schneider MD  Barry S Unger MD  Arash Horizon MD  Solomon Forouzesh MD  Medical Group of Beverly Hills  Allan L Metzger MD FACP  Cedars-Sinai Medical Group Rheumatology  Cedars-Sinai Medical Group Rheumatology  Beverly Medical Associates  Beverly Medical Associates  Renee Z Rinaldi MD & Dahlia Carr MD  Seymour Levine MD  Renee Z Rinaldi MD & Dahlia Carr MD  Elayne K Garber MD  Katherine Neumann MD  Marilyn A Solsky MD  Alan W Weinberger MD  Kevin Yousefi MD  David S Silver MD Inc  Stuart L Silverman MD  International Center for Joint Disorders  Lakeside Medical Associates  Assa Weinberg MD  William H Hong MD  Purnell Kirkland MD  Medical Institute of LCMH  Great Health Medical Center Santa Barbara, CaliforniaUpcoming 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 Santa Barbara
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