Rheumatic conditions encompass various disorders affecting the joints, muscles, and connective tissues. Rheumatic conditions are caused by a dysfunctional immune system, in which the body’s immune defenses attack healthy tissues. These conditions are chronic and incurable but can be managed and treated.
At Beacon Clinic, we help patients with rheumatic conditions learn to develop effective coping strategies that improve their quality of life. Because rheumatic conditions are chronic and can worsen over time, early diagnosis is crucial for managing symptoms, preventing irreversible damage, and maintaining a higher quality of life.
Understanding Rheumatic Conditions
Rheumatic conditions primarily affect the musculoskeletal system. They can cause pain, swelling, stiffness, and reduced functionality in joints and other parts of the body. Common rheumatic conditions include rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA), lupus, ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and gout. These conditions can be debilitating if not diagnosed and treated promptly.
Early diagnosis of rheumatic conditions is essential for several reasons:
- Prevention of Joint Damage: Many rheumatic diseases, such as RA and AS, can cause significant joint damage and deformities if not treated early. Early intervention with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) or biologics can slow down or even halt the progression of joint damage.
- Improved Quality of Life: Early treatment can alleviate symptoms like pain and stiffness, allowing patients to maintain the ability to perform their daily activities and improve their overall quality of life.
- Better Treatment Outcomes: Patients diagnosed early have more treatment options and tend to respond better to therapies than those diagnosed at later stages.
- Reduction of Complications: Some rheumatic conditions can lead to severe complications affecting the heart, lungs, and other organs. The risk of developing these complications can be reduced by early intervention.
Prevalent Rheumatic Conditions and Their Symptoms
Understanding the early symptoms of common rheumatic conditions can aid in prompt diagnosis and treatment. Here are a few prevalent rheumatic disorders and how they may present in their initial stages:
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
RA arises when the immune system attacks healthy joints, causing inflammation. Early symptoms include:
- Joint pain and swelling, often in the hands and feet.
- Stiffness in the morning that lasts more than 30 minutes.
- Feelings of fatigue and a general feeling of unwellness.
- Symmetrical symptoms affecting the same joints on both sides of the body.
Osteoarthritis (OA)
OA is a degenerative joint disease that occurs when inflammation causes the cartilage that cushions the ends of bones to wear down over time. Early symptoms include:
- Joint pain during or after movement.
- Joint stiffness, especially in the morning or after inactivity.
- Tenderness when applying light pressure to the joint.
- Limited flexibility and a grating sensation while moving the joint.
Lupus
Lupus affects multiple organs and tissues, including the joints. Early symptoms include:
- Fatigue and fever.
- Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling.
- A rash across the cheeks and nose.
- Photosensitivity (sensitivity to sunlight).
- Hair loss and mouth sores.
Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)
AS is a type of arthritis that primarily affects the spine, leading to severe inflammation and potential fusion of the vertebrae. Early symptoms include:
- Chronic pain and/or stiffness in the lower back and hips, usually in the morning or after extended periods of inactivity.
- Pain improves with exercise but worsens with rest.
- Fatigue and weight loss.
- Inflammation in other parts of the body, such as the eyes (uveitis).
Gout
Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis that causes sudden, severe attacks of pain, swelling, and redness in the joints. Early symptoms include:
- Intense joint pain, most often in the big toe.
- Lingering discomfort after the severe pain subsides.
- Inflammation and redness around the affected joint.
- Limited movement in the affected joint.
Recognizing symptoms of rheumatic conditions early and seeking prompt medical attention generally results in better treatment outcomes and an improved quality of life. At Beacon Clinic, Rheumatologist Dr. Dustin Dinning specializes in diagnosing and treating rheumatic conditions. If you experience symptoms noted above and your primary care physician suspects may indicate a rheumatic condition, call Beacon Clinic to schedule a thorough evaluation.
At Beacon Clinic, we help patients with long-term medical issues requiring extended treatment or permanent management, including cancer and rheumatic conditions. While most people associate rheumatism with rheumatic arthritis, it can encompass many other autoimmune conditions, such as Crohn’s disease, scleroderma, and gout.
Gout is a type of rheumatic condition characterized by sudden and severe pain, redness, and tenderness in joints, and it often affects one of the big toes. The inflammation is caused by blood having excess uric acid, which forms sharp crystals in the joints. While gout can be excruciating, there are several ways you can alleviate pain that do not involve the use of drugs. Lifestyle changes can help you minimize gout flare-ups. If you suffer from gout, below are some helpful strategies to incorporate into your daily routine.
- Maintain a Healthy Diet: Diet is crucial in managing gout. Foods high in purines, such as red meat, organ meats, and certain seafood, can increase uric acid levels in the blood. To reduce the risk of gout attacks caused by diet:
- Limit purine-rich foods: Avoid or reduce intake of foods rich in purines, a crystalline compound that forms uric acid. These foods include red meats, shellfish, and liver.
- Increase low-purine foods: Opt for fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products.
- Stay hydrated: Hydration is always a healthy habit, and drinking water helps flush uric acid from your system.
- Limit alcohol: Cut alcohol intake, especially beer and spirits, as they can increase uric acid levels.
- Manage Your Weight: Excess weight can increase uric acid levels and put extra stress on your joints. Shedding extra pounds can reduce the frequency and severity of gout attacks. Here are some tips:
- Exercise regularly: A regular exercise routine should provide at least 2.5 hours of aerobic exercise (such as jogging or stair-stepping) or 1.25 hours of vigorous physical activity weekly, along with muscle-strengthening exercises.
- Eat healthy: Focus on consuming a balanced diet with appropriate portion sizes. Avoid crash diets, which can trigger gout flare-ups.
- Stay Physically Active: Regular physical activity is essential for overall health at any age or condition, and it is especially effective for managing gout. Exercise helps control weight, reduce stress, and improve joint function. However, it’s essential to choose suitable activities.
- Low-impact exercises: Swimming, walking, and cycling are gentle on the joints.
- Strength training: Build muscle strength to support and protect your joints.
- Flexibility exercises: Stretching and yoga can improve joint mobility and reduce stiffness.
- Monitor Medications: Certain medications can increase uric acid levels. If you have gout, review all medications with your healthcare provider to ensure they aren’t exacerbating your gout. If you do find problems, discuss ways to adjust your medication regimen with your doctor or ask about prescribing uric acid-lowering drugs. Common culprits include:
- Diuretics: Often used to treat high blood pressure.
- Aspirin: Especially low-dose aspirin.
- Niacin: Used to control cholesterol levels.
- Reduce Stress: Stress can trigger gout attacks, so find ways to manage and reduce stress. Techniques to consider include:
- Mindfulness and meditation: Practice regularly to promote relaxation and reduce stress.
- Adequate sleep: Establish a daily routine that provides you with 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night.
- Hobbies and leisure activities: Engage in activities that you enjoy and that help you relax.
- Avoid Sugary Foods and Drinks: High-fructose corn syrup and sugary beverages can elevate uric acid levels. To help manage gout:
- Limit sugary drinks: Avoid sodas, fruit juices, and energy drinks with added sugars.
- Check food labels: Be mindful of hidden sugars in processed foods.
Making well-considered adjustments to your lifestyle can significantly reduce both the frequency and severity of gout attacks, improving your quality of life. At Beacon Clinic, we specialize in treating rheumatic conditions, including gout. If you suffer from gout, don’t hesitate to contact us for a personalized treatment plan. Call Beacon Clinic in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, today to schedule a consultation with our rheumatologist, Dr. Dinning, and take the first step toward a pain-free life.
Naturally, you must play a critical role in making decisions related to your cancer care. However, the burden of making these decisions is heavy, and you may not feel prepared to make them. That’s why shared decision-making (SDM) has become a cornerstone of comprehensive cancer care. SDM is all about engaging patients throughout the entire process and creating a dialogue with each healthcare team member so that everyone remains informed about treatment options and the progress of treatment to attain the best outcome.
At Beacon Clinic in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, we know that cancer treatment plans can involve many specialists in multiple medical disciplines. We also know that cancer affects not just the patient but the patient’s family, friends, and home caregivers. Moreover, putting the onus of all care decisions on a patient who is dealing with a cancer diagnosis and any adverse effects of treatment can be overwhelming. SDM is a way to support patients in their cancer journey by providing expertise, information, and compassion so patients can confidently and with minimal stress make choices that align with their priorities.
Comprehensive Cancer Care
In the shared decision-making model, the patient and healthcare professionals collaborate to develop an individualized treatment plan. This process of joint deliberation allows for collaboration and dialogue regarding all aspects of the patient’s case and its unique characteristics. Healthcare providers use various methods, such as education, objective data presentations, or visual aids, to facilitate a meaningful discussion about treatment options, lifestyle choices, and their consequences. Throughout the process, the providers consider the patient’s particular circumstances: age, other health issues, family situation, personal priorities, concerns, and so on.
The goal is for healthcare providers to acknowledge, respect, and understand the medical evidence and a patient’s personal beliefs, values, preferences, and lifestyle considerations. In this way, shared decision-making helps promote patient engagement and autonomy and improves outcomes for cancer care management.
Patient Needs, Values, and Preferences
Cancer patients often go through various emotional stages during their diagnosis and treatment. By gaining a thorough understanding of what is important to them, we can ensure that the patient is more likely to accept and adhere to the treatment plan they help develop. Additionally, considering each individual’s unique needs, values, and preferences helps create a more customized approach, which can lead to higher satisfaction.
Where available treatment options do not align with the patient’s needs and preferences, we sometimes have the opportunity to recommend innovative clinical trials better suited to the patient’s particular circumstances.
At Beacon, we provide a supportive environment for open discussion to ensure that all crucial considerations are discussed and analyzed. This provides clarity of direction and ensures that each medical decision is made after sufficient deliberation. Additionally, the combination of effective and empathetic communication helps to build trust, enabling us to provide the right supportive services, such as nutrition or financial counseling, to those affected by cancer.
Family and Friends
Family and friends are often a source of emotional support, providing comfort and care throughout the treatment process. Relatives also provide practical support, assisting with everyday activities that may become difficult during treatment. Family and friends can become part of the shared decision-making process, helping a patient to decide whether to take a particular course of action. This can be critical, as family and friends who have a more intimate relationship with the patient may perceive and anticipate issues that even the patient may overlook.
The SDM process involves collaboratively assessing the patient’s performance and tolerability in response to a particular treatment plan on an ongoing basis. It also accounts for changes in goals, prognosis, and preferences over time, allowing adjustments as required. Through shared input, we can achieve optimal results both in quantitative medical outcomes and in the patient’s quality of life.
If you are interested in learning more about how shared decision-making can positively influence your cancer treatment plan and help bring greater peace of mind during this important time in your life, call Beacon Clinic today and speak with one of our cancer care team members.
For individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), traveling can pose unique challenges. But with careful planning and organization, it’s possible to enjoy a pain-free and fulfilling journey. At Beacon Clinic, our rheumatologist, Dr. Dinning, helps patients with RA manage their condition to enhance their quality of life, enabling them to enjoy activities like travel.
If you have RA, here are eight essential tips to consider before embarking on your next adventure, whether it is a road trip to visit family or a longed-for vacation to an exotic locale.
- Early Planning Is Key
Commence your travel preparations well in advance to alleviate unnecessary stress and ensure a seamless experience. Research accommodations that cater to accessibility needs, scout out restaurants offering healthy meal options, facilities where you can get a massage, and identify medical facilities in the areas you’ll be visiting. The more groundwork you lay, the smoother your trip will be, both in terms of peace of mind and should you experience problems.
- Stay Organized
Compile a comprehensive checklist of all essential items to pack for your journey and ensure everything is ready ahead of time. Your list should include any special items that work for you, such as a heating pad, pain patches, or pain-relieving creams. This proactive approach minimizes last-minute scrambling or shopping and reduces the risk of forgetting crucial items. By staying organized, you can focus on enjoying your travels without unnecessary distractions.
- Consider Your Destination Carefully
When selecting your travel destination, prioritize relaxation and comfort. Factor in the need for ample rest periods, as failing to do so could trigger RA symptoms. While you can explore diverse locales, avoid overly ambitious itineraries that could compromise your well-being. Opt for a pace that allows you to dictate your schedule and incorporate sufficient downtime.
- Prioritize Health Preparations
Visit your rheumatologist before embarking on your journey to assess its suitability and discuss any necessary precautions. Inquire about recommended vaccinations, bearing in mind potential limitations due to RA medications. Additionally, inquire about supplementary medications that could prove beneficial during your travels, such as steroids or antibiotics. Request extra copies of your prescriptions to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances.
- Choose Accommodations Wisely
Your hotel room should serve as a sanctuary during your travels, offering comfort and accessibility. Prioritize accommodations with convenient features such as proximity to elevators, easily accessible bathrooms, and facilities for mobility aids if required. Ensure access to refrigeration if medication storage is necessary, thus maintaining optimal conditions for your health needs.
- Pack Thoughtfully
Opt for luggage equipped with wheels to ease the strain on your joints, minimizing discomfort during transit. Put all of your essential medications in your carry-on luggage to mitigate the risk of loss or damage. Prioritize comfort when selecting clothing and footwear, opting for supportive shoes to minimize discomfort during prolonged periods of activity.
- Stay Refreshed and Energized
Incorporate regular stretches and movement into your travel routine to prevent stiffness and joint pain. Take breaks during extended periods of sitting, whether by car, train, or plane, to alleviate discomfort and maintain flexibility. Consider using assistive devices like canes to navigate crowded tourist attractions comfortably. Pace yourself throughout your journey, avoiding overexertion to preserve energy and prevent post-travel fatigue.
- Make Healthy Choices
Maintain a balanced diet while traveling by opting for nutritious meals and staying hydrated throughout the day. Select restaurants offering dishes low in saturated fats and sugar, favoring grilled or steamed items over fried alternatives. When faced with fast food options, prioritize healthier choices such as salads or whole-wheat sandwiches to support your overall well-being.
By adhering to these practical tips and prioritizing your health needs, you can confidently embark on your travel adventures, ensuring a rewarding and pain-free experience despite living with rheumatoid arthritis. If you are planning an upcoming trip and have questions or concerns, make an appointment at Beacon Clinic with Dr. Dinning. With careful planning and mindful preparation, we can help you unlock the joys of exploration while nurturing your physical well-being along the way.
Beacon Clinic has been at the forefront of helping individuals with long-term health challenges to manage care, develop treatment plans, and receive lifestyle support. We have focused in the past on cancer care but now offer our services to patients with rheumatic conditions.
The term “rheumatism” is often associated with rheumatic arthritis, a condition in which a person suffers from degeneration of the joints, causing pain and stiffness. However, while rheumatic arthritis (RA) is one of the most common types of rheumatism, the term refers to any chronic autoimmune condition, including psoriasis, lupus, gout, scleroderma, and other conditions.
Autoimmune disorders are characterized by a person’s immune system attacking healthy tissues and causing inflammation. In RA, for example, joint degeneration results from the immune system harming healthy tissues, as distinguished from arthritis caused by aging, wear, and stress on the joints.
Because rheumatic conditions are an immune system disorder, diet can play a role. Some foods fight inflammation, others stimulate inflammation, and some support proper immune system function. Accordingly, paying attention to diet is critical for people with rheumatic conditions, and it is one means of helping them manage their conditions. While diet alone cannot cure or reverse these conditions, it can significantly impact inflammation levels, symptom severity, and overall well-being.
Nutrient-Rich Foods: A Foundation for Health
One key to managing rheumatic symptoms is eating foods shown to reduce inflammation. Research consistently indicates that individuals with rheumatic conditions can benefit from a diet high in plant-based foods. Emphasizing a diverse array of plant foods of all types — vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, and nuts — can help reduce inflammation and improve symptoms. These foods are rich in antioxidants, polyphenols, carotenoids, and fiber, all of which contribute to mitigating inflammation.
When putting together a meal, vegetables like spinach, kale, broccoli, carrots, and fruits such as berries, oranges, and apples should comprise a significant portion of your plate. Opting for low-glycemic, unprocessed carbohydrates like whole grains like brown rice and quinoa can help stabilize blood sugar levels and reduce inflammation.
Incorporating healthy fats, particularly omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish (salmon, sardines), seeds (flaxseed, chia), and nuts (walnuts), is crucial. These fats possess anti-inflammatory properties and are vital for overall joint health. Additionally, using extra virgin olive oil in cooking and meal preparation adds monounsaturated fatty acids and polyphenols, further supporting an anti-inflammatory diet.
Limiting red meat consumption and opting for plant-based protein sources is recommended. Vegetarian diets have shown associations with reduced symptoms in inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, making plant-based proteins an ideal choice for those managing rheumatic diseases.
Some spices also have anti-inflammatory properties, such as turmeric and ginger. Turmeric contains curcumin, a compound renowned for its anti-inflammatory properties, and ginger can reduce oxidative stress and inflammation. Incorporating these spices into meals is easy, as they complement many different foods. Alternatively, consuming them in teas can offer natural relief from rheumatic symptoms.
Some foods can exacerbate inflammation, so you should limit or avoid them to optimize your well-being. These foods include hydrogenated oils, processed flour, added sugars, high-fructose corn syrup, processed meats, and other less healthy oils like corn and sunflower.
Nourishing Your Body for a Higher Quality of Life
Many of these recommendations for adjustments in diet can help many health conditions. Still, people with rheumatic conditions should pay special attention to how diet affects how they feel or how their bodies react to certain foods.
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to every person or every rheumatic condition, and one person may notice a dramatic improvement in response to a particular food while another experiences no change. A good way to approach these suggestions for diet changes is to introduce them gradually and try each item for a week or two to find out what works and what doesn’t. By making mindful food choices and prioritizing whole, unprocessed foods, individuals with rheumatic conditions can take proactive steps toward managing their health and improving their quality of life.
If you would like further information or would like to schedule a visit with our rheumatologist Dr. Dinning to discuss your options for treatment, please call Beacon Clinic today.
