Did you know that about 54 million Americans are living with some type of arthritis? Left untreated, arthritis may lead to chronic pain and negatively affect your mobility and quality of life. At his practice in El Centro, California, internal medicine physician Prabhdeep Singh, MD, FACP, specializes in diagnosing and treating all types of arthritis. To request your consultation today, call the office or click the online scheduling tool.
Arthritis is a blanket term used to describe a group of more than 100 diseases that cause pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints. The two most commonly diagnosed types of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes your immune system to attack the lining of your joints (synovium).
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that causes your cartilage to wear away. Cartilage is a soft, cushion-like substance that pads your joints. As cartilage breaks down, it causes your bones to rub up against one another, causing pain, swelling, and general discomfort.
No matter the type of arthritis you have, it’s important to seek treatment. If you regularly experience joint pain, make an appointment at Prabhdeep Singh, MD today.
Arthritis usually causes symptoms that affect the joints. Telltale signs of arthritis include:
If you have arthritis, you might also experience a decreased range of motion or difficulty performing routine activities, such as getting out of bed in the morning or climbing a flight of stairs.
Arthritis affects people of all races and backgrounds, but there are certain factors that can increase your risk, including:
Your sex also plays a role. For example, women are more likely to get rheumatoid arthritis while men are more likely to suffer from gout.
To diagnose arthritis, Dr. Singh conducts a physical exam, reviews your medical history, and asks you questions about your symptoms.
He also checks your joints for swelling, warmth, and redness. If necessary, he might also ask you to perform a series of easy exercises to see how well you can move your joints.
Dr. Singh might also recommend:
These measures can provide further insights into the type of arthritis you have and its severity.
Treatment for arthritis depends on the severity of your symptoms. Dr. Singh usually recommends lifestyle changes such as eating a balanced diet, losing weight, and exercising regularly.
If these measures don’t ease your symptoms, you might benefit from prescription medications like counterirritants or disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).
Dr. Singh also offers corticosteroid and joint injections. These treatments can ease arthritis-related pain for months at a time.
To request your arthritis appointment with Dr. Singh today, call the office or click the online scheduling tool.
