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Gout- diagnosis and treatment

Diagnosing gout Gout is suspected when someone has acute onset of a red, hot, swollen and tender joint. If the affected joint is a great toe, the suspicion is even stronger. Blood tests may show an elevated uric acid level which would be expected with gout. Xrays may be normal […]

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Plantar fasciitis? Blame the shoes!

What is plantar fasciitis? Plantar fascia is the thick, fibrous tissue that runs along the arch of the foot, from the heel to the toes. This tissue can become inflamed from overuse and other mechanical injuries. The pain is usually sharp, severe, and worse in the morning. People often describe […]

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Gout- for both the prince and the pauper

What is gout? Gout is a type of arthritis that causes sudden onset of pain, redness, heat, and swelling in a joint. It is more common in men, and is rare in women before menopause. Although gout is caused by elevated levels of uric acid in the blood (called hyperurecemia), […]

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The essentials of fibromyalgia treatment

How is fibromyalgia treated? There is no cure for fibromyalgia. However, symptoms can be treated with lifestyle changes and medications. Fibromyalgia can be a chronic condition and as such sometimes difficult to treat. There is no magic bullet for fibromyalgia treatment. Much of the success in treatment depends on your […]

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Fibromyalgia- diagnosis

How is fibromyalgia diagnosed? There are no blood tests or imaging studies specifically for fibromyalgia diagnosis. Fibromyalgia is diagnosed after a thorough history, a complete physical exam, and labs to rule out other diseases. Classification criteria There are 2 classification criteria developed by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), that […]

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