Johns Hopkins RheumTV

Home / RheumTV

RheumTV

Man Walking Outdoors Gripping Knee
Benefits of Mindfulness

Benefits of Mindfulness

Mindfulness meditation is a well-established technique that can reduce stress and lead to improvements in pain, fatigue, sleep difficulties, and overall quality of life. Mindfulness programs come in a variety of forms and can be practiced in a group setting or individually through use of smartphone applications. This could be beneficial for overall stress & mental health in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Dana DiRenzo provides a general overview of mindfulness and how it may be useful to you as someone with rheumatic disease.

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) update from Johns Hopkins Rheumatology

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Information for Rheumatic Disease Patients

COVID-19, or coronavirus, is affecting all of us. However, people who are immunocompromised due to medications for their rheumatic diseases may be considered “high risk” for infection.

In this video, Laura Hummers, the clinical director of Johns Hopkins Rheumatology, and Vicky Ruffing, Director of Patient Education, answer some of your most pressing questions about how this outbreak could affect rheumatic patients.

The information in this video is current as of March 16, 2020. Patients should stay in touch with their health care providers and updated information from the Centers for Disease Control.

Dr Eric Gapud sitting in front of a brick wall discussing living with Vasculitis

Vasculitis Lifestyle Information

Like many rheumatic diseases, exercise and a healthy diet are key to a Vasculitis patients recovery. How quickly and how well blood vessels heal and regenerate has a direct relationship with how soon can a patient get back to exercising.

Dr. Eric J. Gapud, physician and Vasculitis Center Director of Research, explores things patients can do at home to heal and feel better.

Dr. Erica Gapud sits in front of brick wall discussing Vasculitis Treatment

Vasculitis Treatment

The treatment for vasculitis depends on the type of vasculitis a patient has. Before beginning treatment your Rheumatologist will try to understand how extensive is the injury to the body from vasculitis. Once that is determined, they would decide what is the intensity and duration of treatment that is needed.

For more extreme cases, corticosteroids may be used, along with non-steroidal treatments. Along with these treatments, it is important that patients are vigilant about maintaining a balanced and healthy diet, and exercising regularly.

Rheumatologist Dr. Eric J. Gapud, with the Johns Hopkins Vasculitis Center, explains how treatment decisions are made.

Dr. Eric Gapud sitting in a chair in front of a brick wall discussing the diagnosis of Vasculitis

Vasculitis Diagnosis

Vasculitis is an autoimmune attack on the blood vessels. It is diagnosed by discussing the symptoms with the patient and then narrowing in on the specific vessels that seem to be affected.

Diagnosis begins with a physical exam of the patient. The exam is followed by a biopsy or radiology to get a clear understanding of how the blood vessels are being affected.

Dr. Eric Gapud sitting in front of brick wall discussing vasculitis

Vasculitis Signs & Symptoms

The symptoms of vasculitis can vary depending on the kind of vasculitis. Some effect the big blood vessels, some the medium blood vessels and some the small blood vessels. Overall, vasculitis can leave you feeling like you have the flu.

Rheumatologist Dr. Eric J. Gapud, physician and Vasculitis Center Director of Research, explains the signs and symptoms of vasculitis, and when you should go see a rheumatologist.

Dr. Eric Gapud sitting in a chair in front of a brick wall discussing Vasculitis

Vasculitis: Disease Overview

Vasculitis is when blood vessels become inflamed due to your body attacking the blood vessel by mistake. This can cause fevers, fatigue, weight loss, and overall pain.

Dr. Eric J. Gapud, physician and Vasculitis Center Director of Research, explains what vasculitis is and different ways it effects the body.

Dr. Chris Mecoli sitting in a chair discussing Shingles Vaccine

What You Should Know About the Shingles Vaccine

Shingles, a painful rash that is a reactivation of the chickenpox virus, generally affects people with weaker immune systems, or patients on medications that impair the immune system (corticosteroids, mycophenolate, biologic therapies, and many others).

In this video, Dr. Chris Mecoli explains how these vaccines work and who should receive the vaccine.

Yoga for Arthritis : Reduce Stress through Focused Relaxation

Yoga for Arthritis : Reduce Stress through Focused Relaxation

This short relaxation practice can be done at bedtime to help you prepare for sleep, or anytime for relaxation and stress management. It can be done seated in a chair against a wall or lying down. You might want a second chair to place your feet on, and maybe something soft to support your head and neck. Try to do this in a quiet place at a time when you know you won’t be disturbed.