When Dr. James Dowd set his sights on medicine, he began his mission to unlock the secrets of arthritis and other associated diseases of the musculoskeletal system that cause painful swelling and irritation in the joints, muscles, nerves, bones, and fascia, plus the related neural, vascular and lymphatic structures that steal the joy from patients’ lives and make even the simplest tasks difficult. There are more than one hundred different types of arthritis that affect more than 50 million adults and over 300,000 children as the leading cause of disability in the United States. The road Dr. Dowd took to becoming a successful and effective Farmington, Michigan rheumatologist began as a student at Texas A&M University in College Station, then led to receiving his medical degree the University Of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. Dr. Dowd then completed his residency in combined pediatrics and internal medicine at the State University of New York at Buffalo, where he was also able to use his talents as chief medical resident at Erie County Medical Center in 1991. Farmington, Michigan rheumatologist Dr. James Dowd was fellowship trained in combined adult and pediatric rheumatology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and Texas Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Dowd’s quest to understand how our bodies become inflamed led him to work with superantigens–toxins that activate the cells that stimulate our bodies to release chemicals caused cytokines that cause disease, infection and inflammation. Because of his important work, the American College of Rheumatology awarded Dr. Dowd with a Physician-Scientist Development Award for his research on superantigens in 1993. It is his drive to understand and eliminate painful swelling and inflammation that is associated with arthritis and other diseases, Farmington, Michigan rheumatologist Dr. James Dowd formed the Arthritis Institute of Michigan. In the beautiful Brighton, Michigan location that serves as both treatment center and cutting-edge research facility, Dr. Dowd and the staff of the Institute provide comforting care, effective treatment and personalized service in a barrier-free environment that is designed around the specialized needs of patients who struggle with chronic pain. With a covered drop-off area, natural lighting and an infusion suite, Farmington, Michigan rheumatologist Dr. James Dowd and his staff are fully equipped to provide joint injections and joint aspiration in addition to many other treatments and services. If you currently undergo infusions of Actemra, Orencia, Reclast, Remicasdr, Rituxan, or Cimzia, Prolia or Stelara, we can care for you here in our infusion suite. Dr. Dowd has successfully treated patients for Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Inflammatory Diseases, Ankylosing-Spondylitis, Scleroderma, Gout, Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Psoriatic Arthritis, childhood Arthritis and joint problems, pain in the hip, knee, neck or shoulder, or you suspect you suffer from vitamin D deficiency.
Through his exciting research, Farmington, Michigan rheumatologist Dr. James Dowd discovered that vitamin D plays a much larger role in our overall health and sense of well being than imagined. Vitamin D has been shown to have a strong connection to symptoms of fatigue, depression, joint and muscle pain, obesity, heart disease, diabetes, gum disease and tooth loss, metabolic syndrome in addition to many forms of arthritis. Perhaps you don’t struggle daily with chronic disease, but instead find yourself feeling a little more down in the dumps during the winter months, or putting on more than a few pounds as a result of the cold weather. If you relate the end of summer and shorter days with feelings of decreased vitality and increased feelings of listlessness and depression, you could be in need of a vitamin D boost. Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with trouble sleeping, bowel issues (including diarrhea and constipation), bladder problems (including both frequency and urgency), uncontrolled weight gain, fatigue, and loss of energy. Patients have come to this noted Farmington, Michigan rheumatologist reporting deepening depression, difficulty completing daily tasks and an overall loss of interest in activities and relationships that used to be fulfilling. If you find that your symptoms worsen in the winter months, you could be affected by an ailment known as the “winter blues”; however, if you find that your symptoms begin and end about the same time each year and make it difficult for you to get out of bed in the morning, you could be suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. Our bodies need sunshine on our bare skin and plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables to produce enough vitamin D. Many of us work indoors and wear sun screen daily to protect ourselves from skin cancer, limiting our access to sunlight. In the winter months, and in places with longer winters like Farmington, Michigan, getting enough sunshine can be even tougher. Shorter growing seasons make getting substantial amounts of calcium and other vital nutrients from local produce difficult–this can leave our bodies depleted. Dr. Dowd understands what our bodies need. Through comprehensive examination and laboratory testing, this skilled Farmington, Michigan rheumatologist can create a personalized care plan for you with therapies and supplements tailored to your unique health needs.
Rheumatologist Farmington MI
Dr. James Dowd is pleased to be able to provide services as an award-winning researcher and renowned rheumatologist in Farmington, Michigan. The city of Farmington, Michigan is known for its historic, Victorian-era homes, and has recently become popular for its renovated downtown along Grand River Avenue. Businesses and government buildings underwent renovation and received decorative brick facades that lend charm and make downtown a great place to hang out. Farmington promotes a full calendar of community events in its parks and pavilions to bring together residents and visitors to share in the best of what this northern Detroit suburb has to offer. Families in Farmington, Michigan turn to rheumatologist Dr. James Dowd for gentle, effective care for arthritis and diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Trust Dr. Dowd and begin a new path toward comfortable movement and a greater quality of life.
Dr. Dowd and the Arthritis Institute of Michigan can help you live a healthier life, even if you are coping with chronic conditions such as inflammatory conditions and other rheumatic conditions which impact joint health. If you are living in Farmington, we invite you to learn more about how you can feel better and have less pain. The Arthritis Institute of Michigan is currently accepting new patients. To schedule an appointment, please call our office at 1.810.225.7553 or fill out the form below.