Are you looking for a rheumatologist Ann Arbor MI?
Rheumatologists are specialists who have received in-depth training specifically in the discovery, diagnosis, and treatment of various musculoskeletal diseases and systemic autoimmune conditions, more commonly known as rheumatic diseases. Musculoskeletal diseases can cause pain, swelling, deformity, and stiffness in the joints, muscles, and bones. In order to become a professional rheumatologist, a candidate must first finish four years of medical or osteopathic schooling, and then complete a three-year residency training in either pediatrics or internal medicine, though some choose to train in both. Once residency qualifications have been met, an aspiring rheumatologist must participate in a rheumatology fellowship for up to three years where they will learn more about chronic musculoskeletal diseases and autoimmune conditions, as well as how best to treat them. Only then can a rheumatologist take the board examination to become officially certified in rheumatology, a certification that will then need to be re-earned every ten years. Once a rheumatologist has been certified and is ready for practice, they are able to help people overcome the great challenges of living with conditions such as inflammatory arthritis, autoimmune diseases, crystal arthritis, osteoarthritis, and more. These painful conditions can even affect children, which is why there is an entire specialty known as pediatric rheumatology. Luckily there are various dietary changes and supplement therapies that can be used to ease the pain and discomfort associated with these and other related conditions.
Inflammatory Arthritis
Inflammatory arthritis can refer to a number of specific conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthropathy, ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, scleroderma, adult-onset Still’s disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Typical signs and symptoms of having inflammatory arthritis are stiffness and pain, swelling in the joints, restricted mobility, reduced physical strength, and possibly even fatigue.
Autoimmune Diseases
Examples of an autoimmune disease would be rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, type-1 diabetes mellitus, guillain, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, psoriasis, grave’s disease, hashimoto’s thyroiditis, myasthenia gravis, and vasculitis. Autoimmune diseases can be especially dangerous because they can affect the body in two ways, causing either low activity or over activity. Low activity can reduce the body’s natural defenses and make a patient more vulnerable to serious infections, where as high activity can cause the body to attack it’s own tissue and result in severe damage.
Crystal Arthritis
Crystal arthritis occurs when an imbalance of uric acid in the body causes the formation of crystals in the joints, this includes conditions such as gout and pseudogout. Gout can be triggered by certain medications that can cause uric acid levels to fluctuate, or be a result of normal daily habits like eating meat or seafood and consuming alcohol. Conditions such as obesity, high cholesterol, insulin resistance, hypothyroidism, and heart or kidney diseases have also been associated with this illness. Gout may affect a variety of smaller joints throughout the body such as big toes, elbows, wrists, and fingers, and cause swelling, pain, and redness, but regular physical fitness has been known to help with prevention. pseudogout, also known as calcium pyrophosphate deposition (CPPD), tends to affect larger joints including the knees, as well as wrists, elbows, and etcetera. Painful swelling may come in waves and may or may not migrate to different parts of the body. It is not known why this condition only effects certain people, and unlike gout it is not caused by diet, alcohol, or medication, though it can be affected by pneumonia, stroke, heart attack, surgery, thyroid problems, parathyroid gland issues, and high volumes of iron or calcium.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is considered the most common type of arthritis due to its infection rate. Millions of people around the world suffer from the condition caused by normal wear and tear of the protective cartilage of your bones over time. Though not limited to any specific region of the body, osteoarthritis most commonly affects the joints in the hands, hips, knees, and spine. This condition is irreversible, however pain and joint function can be effectively managed with the help of regular diet and exercise. Risks that may increase the likelihood of you developing osteoarthritis include older age, obesity, previous joint injuries, work that involves repetitive stress on certain joints, genetics, and bone deformities. Osteoarthritis affects women more than men, and may be recognized by symptoms including pain, tenderness, stiffness, lack of flexibility, a grating sensation, or bone spurs that feel like hard lumps anywhere around the suspected joint.
Diet/Supplement Therapies
A healthy diet and regular exercise are essential for maintaining your health, but it’s especially important for those suffering from arthritis, specifically osteoarthritis and inflammatory conditions. Certain supplements and dietary restrictions can be enforced in your daily life to help combat the discomfort and pain associated with these conditions.
- Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids DHA and EPA are found primarily in fish oil, though it can also be found in flaxseed oil, rapeseed oil, and walnuts, and is especially helpful for people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, reactive arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis.
- Vitamin E is suggested to be able to prevent damage in the cells of joints and bones, as well as act as an anti-inflammatory and can be found in foods such as plant oils (soya, olive, and wheat), wheatgerm, sunflower seeds, nuts, and avocados.
- Selenium can be found as part of most supplements or in concentrated capsules and is derived from yeast. It may or may not be effective in slowing down the progression of arthritic conditions.
- Glucosamine sulphate and chondroitin can be taken in tablet form for conditions such as osteoarthritis due to its affect on damaged cartilage. For desired effects it is suggested to take 1500 mg per day for up to three months. Shellfish-free versions are available for those with allergies. Glucosamine can increase blood sugar, so speak with a doctor if you have diabetes.
- The most important supplement everyone should be taking whether they have arthritis or not is vitamin D. Vitamin D helps to regulate calcium and phosphate levels, increases muscle strength, boosts the immune system, improves heart and lung health, and can even reduce the risk of certain cancers. You can find vitamin D naturally through sunlight as well as certain foods such as eggs, oily fish, margarine, certain breakfast cereals, and powdered milk, though it is recommended that if you do not receive enough vitamin D through these natural routes that you take at least 10mg but no more than 100mg per day.
An exclusion diet can be used to determine whether or not certain foods are aggravating your arthritis. This is accomplished by removing certain foods for several weeks and then slowly reintroduce them one by one back into your diet and monitor and changes or reactions. Typically a reaction will cause a flare-up of symptoms within days and will let you know which foods should be avoided.
Rheumatologist Ann Arbor MI
The Arthritis Institute of Michigan in Brighton MI is less than 20 miles from Ann Arbor and is accepting new patients. The city of Ann Arbor has a history with roots that stretch deeply into multiculturalism and education. From its early days as a humble village, to an international city that has become a center for cultural and fine arts, cutting-edge healthcare and world-class collegiate athletics, Ann Arbor has held fast to its ideals and grown beyond what those first settlers could have imagined. Ann Arbor is now home to over 100,000 residents who enjoy gourmet dining, farmers’ markets, nature trails and kayaking the Huron River. To continue his important work and outreach within the community, Dr. Dowd founded the Arthritis Institute of Michigan. Initially based in Howell, this small office was the first rheumatologic center, and the first completely electronic office in Livingston County. In order to continue to bring the latest treatments and provide the best possible care, the Arthritis Institute moved to Brighton in November 2003. This state-of-the-art facility is specially designed to meet the needs of arthritis patients. With covered, curbside drop-off, a clinical research facility, an infusion suite and natural lighting throughout, this barrier-free facility offers comforting care, effective treatment and personalized service.
Dr. James Dowd is a highly-trained rheumatologist, who is proud to offer professional treatment and services to people in and around Ann Arbor, MI, as well as throughout the state of Michigan. People travel from all over the state, including Ann Arbor, to visit Dr. James Dowd’s office in Brighton because of his extensive knowledge and skill in treating a comprehensive collection of arthritic conditions in patients of all ages. His book, The Vitamin D Cure, goes further into explaining how the lack of vitamin D is a major problem for our current society and the ways it specifically affects rheumatology. Typical healthcare facilities, like ones in Ann Arbor, can have wait times of up to six months for new patients, but at Dr. James Dowd’s office in Brighton we make an effort to see you as soon as possible. We understand that living with any one of the aforementioned conditions can hinder your happiness in life, which is why we encourage anyone suffering from any rheumatic diseases to call Dr. James Dowd’s office in Brighton as soon as possible to book an appointment.
If you are looking for a rheumatologist Ann Arbor MI, please call our office at 1.810.225.7553 or fill out the form below to schedule your appointment.