The treatment for Scleroderma Associated Myopathy is still largely unknown because there is not enough information about the disease. The Johns Hopkins Rheumatology Division is working to understand more about this kind of Myopathy. In this video, Dr. Julie Paik, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Johns Hopkins Rheumatology, explains the complicated nature of treating this disease.
Dermatomyositis is a rare autoimmune myopathy disease that targets the muscles and skin. Dermatomyositis causes a characteristic skin rash on the chest, back, or arms that looks like a sunburn. It also causes muscle weakness so severe that it can be hard for some patients to do everyday things such as climbing a flight of stairs, standing up from a chair or bed, and even combing their hair. In this video series, Dr. Eleni Tiniakou, a physician at the Johns Hopkins Myositis Center, explores the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options for Dermatomyositis.
Exercise, eating well, and speaking openly with a rheumatologist can help prevent flares and strengthen joints. In our final episode on Rheumatoid Arthritis, Dr. Uzma Haque, a physician at the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center, talks about the dangers of elimination diets and the benefits of stretching and exercise.
While there’s no cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis yet, there are many preventative medications. They range from oral pills to injections that can be done at home or by a doctor, which are working for many people who have been diagnosed. All these different treatment options can help patients achieve their goals and stay healthy and functional. In this video, Dr. Laura Cappelli, a physician at the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center, discusses the different treatment options for Rheumatoid arthritis.
Sitting down and listening to a patient’s story is the first step in diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis. While swollen joints are a large indicator of Rheumatoid Arthritis, there are many other symptoms, such as fatigue, anxiety and depression, and stiffness. Doctors are diagnosing Rheumatoid Arthritis much earlier now, to prevent joint damage and begin treatment as soon as possible. In this video, Dr. Uzma Haque, a physician at the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center, explains the diagnosis process of Rheumatoid Arthritis.
The onset of Rheumatoid Arthritis is very gradual. Often the symptoms are worse in the morning and improve as the day goes on. Because of inflammation, many patents experience restlessness at night and can have flu-like fatigue, fevers, and aches. In this video, Dr. Uzma Haque, a physician at the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center, discusses the signs and symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease that not only affects the joints, but the whole immune system. Many patients who have Rheumatoid Arthritis also experience fatigue, dry eyes and mouth, shortness of breath, and skin problems. The good news is, with the advancement of Rheumatoid Arthritis treatments, many patients can live a healthy, normal life. In this episode, Dr. Uzma Haque, a physician at the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center, explains the effects of Rheumatoid Arthritis, and the misconceptions many have about it.
Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis that can be very painful to the joints. Dr. Myma Albayda walks us through what gout is caused by and how you can take preventative measures to limit attacks.
There are many ways for a patient to present Sjögren’s Syndrome. The most common one is dryness of the eyes and mouth, but other signs include neurological problems, internal organ problems, and joint pain. Once a doctor recognizes the signs, the first step is to confirm there is deficiency of tear and saliva production. In this video, Dr. Alan Baer, the Director of the Jerome L. Greene Sjögren’s Syndrome Center, explains how to confirm a Sjögren’s Syndrome diagnosis.
Patients living with Sjögren’s Syndrome can lead a normal, healthy life if they take care of themselves. Eating well, getting plenty of rest, and exercising is essential to maintaining a balanced, healthy lifestyle. In this video, Dr. Alan Baer, the Director of the Jerome L. Greene Sjögren’s Syndrome Center, discusses ways to reduce the symptoms of Sjögren’s.
The two most distinguishing symptoms of Sjögren’s Syndrome are dry eyes and mouth. Besides being painful, having dry eyes makes it harder to perform everyday tasks, like working on a computer, and many patients have blurred vision. Dry mouth makes it very difficult to eat and causes burning of the throat. However, these are not the only symptoms. Patients with Sjögren’s often experience joint pain and stiffness, fatigue, and are more likely to develop lymphoma. In this video, Dr. Alan Baer, the Director of the Jerome L. Greene Sjögren’s Syndrome Center, discusses the symptoms of Sjögren’s Syndrome.
Knowing the possible Rheumatoid Arthritis triggers can be helpful in preventing an RA flare up. Dr. Uzma Haque talks about the triggers her patients have told her about as well as what a patient should do when they are about to flare up.