Bøger af Nicholas Greyson

Rheumatic diseases or rheumatism are disorders that cause inflammation of the joints or connective tissue. The main cause of rheumatic disease is the malfunctioning of the immune system that attacks body's own tissues, affecting the joints, tendons, ligaments, muscles, bones and organs. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, capsulitis, palindromic rheumatism, etc. are among the most common types of rheumatic disorders. Osteoarthritis is a type of degenerative joint disease that results from the breakdown of joint cartilage and underlying bone. The major factors that lead to it are previous joint injury and abnormal joint or limb development. The diagnosis of rheumatic disorders is done through physical examination and specialized laboratory and imaging tests. These include blood test, urine test, creatinine level test, uric acid test, and the ESR and CRP tests. This book provides significant information to help the readers develop a good understanding of the clinical perspectives of rheumatic diseases. It is a collective contribution of a renowned group of international experts. Those with an interest in the treatment and study of rheumatic diseases would find this book helpful.

Rheumatic diseases are the conditions that cause chronic and intermittent pain, and affect the joints and the connective tissue. Some rheumatic diseases are autoimmune in origin such as rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus, ankylosing spondylitis, etc. Different rheumatic disorders are caused due to different reasons and all require different kinds of treatment. The most common symptoms include intermittent pain, swelling, warmth, and stiffness. Rheumatism severely affects vital organs such as the heart, kidneys, nervous system, lungs, etc. Rheumatic disorders are diagnosed using physical examination followed by specialized laboratory and imaging tests. The initial therapy of rheumatological diseases is usually through analgesics, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), etc. Physiotherapy and occupational therapy are other recommended treatment techniques for these diseases. The topics included in this book on the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic diseases are of utmost significance and bound to provide incredible insights to readers. Through it, an attempt has been made to further enlighten the readers about the new concepts on these diseases.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a form of arthritis which occurs in children and adolescents. It is a noninfective, autoimmune, inflammatory disease of the joints, commonly occurring in children between the ages of 1 and 6. JIA often presents nonspecific symptoms initially such as reduced physical activity, lethargy and poor appetite. Its first noticeable manifestation may be limping. Children may become quite ill with flu-like symptoms. Persistent swelling around the knee, wrist, ankle and the joints of the hands and feet is a clinical manifestation of the condition. The diagnosis of JIA is difficult to establish as the symptoms can indicate other causes. Therefore, often times, a combination of blood tests, X-rays, analysis of the fluid from the joint and clinical presentation are done for making a correct diagnosis. The goal of therapy in JIA is to enable the child to regain a normal level of physical and social activity. This is done with physical therapy, social support and pain management strategies. Children may also be treated with intra-articular corticosteroid injections and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This book elucidates the causes, symptoms and pathophysiology of juvenile idiopathic arthritis in a comprehensive manner. It strives to provide a fair idea about the modern practices in the management of JIA. A number of latest researches have been included to keep the readers up-to-date with the global concepts in this medical condition.