Public Awareness About Rheumatic Diseases by Prof. (Dr.) Uma Kumar

Author: Dr. Uma Kumar Professor & Head Department of Rheumatology AIIMS, New Delhi High Heels Body weight is distributed equally throughout the foot when spine & hips are in normal alignment. High heels take hips & spine out of alignment by pushing the low back foreword. Upper part of body must lean back to maintain the balance of the body. In the process, body weight shifts forward resulting in abnormal weight distribution on foot. Regularly wearing high heels can lead to pain in calf, foot, knee & back. Regular use in long-term can lead to: - 1.  Calf muscle shortening  2.  Tendons thickening  3.  Slippage of one vertebrae over other resulting in low back pain & normal of opening through which nerves exit Remember  Heels height determine the load of body weight put on foot. 3"heel - 76% of body weight 2"heel - 57% of body weight 1"heel - 22% of body weight ...

Author: Dr. Uma Kumar Professor & Head Departmentn of Rheumatology AIIMS, New Delhi YOGA “to yolk” or connect 'CONNECT' with nature, humanity & spirituality ‘Yoga’   is a way to achieve harmony between the heart & the soul. But emphasis is given only on physical practice of yoga called “hatha” in current times. Yoga augments recovery of patients with arthritis too. 1.  Poses with synchronous deep breathing followed by slow movement sequence increase blood flow to the muscles improving tissue oxygenation. 2. Staying in poses for sometime builds muscles strength by keeping the muscle in isometric contraction. 3. Standing poses strengthen balancing capability of muscles and prevent falls. 4.Joint movement through full range improves flexibility of joints. Yoga reduces inflammation by increasing anti inflammatory cytokine genes. Its multifaceted dimensions engage people into health promoting behavior, therefore ...

Author: Dr. Uma Kumar Professor & Head Departmentn of Rheumatology AIIMS, New Delhi SAY NO TO TOBACCO Smoking is injurious to various organ systems of human body. Inhaled smoke not only causes inflammation in the lungs but also in rest of the body.  Evidence suggests that smoking is an independent risk factor for onset of multiple autoimmune rheumatic diseases like Rheumatiod Arthritis, Lupus (SLE). It also results in increased number of relapses  in RA despite patients being on regular treatment. Smoking modulate the immune system through many ways including induction of inflammatory response, alteration of cytokine balance, DNA damage and cell death. Smoking reduces the efficacy of antirheumatic drugs in patients. The risk appears elevated even in past smokers until 20 years after cessation.

लेखक: डॉ उमा कुमार प्रोफेसर और प्रमुख रुमेटोलॉजी विभाग एम्स, नई दिल्ली -110029       ल्यूपस (SLE)  सम्बन्धी उपयोगी जानकारियाँ यह एक ऑटोइम्म्युन बीमारी है । यह ना तो छूने से फैलती है और न ही अनुवांशिक है । यह किसी भी उम्र मे हो सकती है और महिलाओं में ज्यादा पाई जाती है । इससे शरीर का कोई भी अंग प्रभावित हो सकता है । बुखार, मुंह के छाले, त्वचा पर चकत्ते, जोड़ों में दर्द, बाल झड़ना, धूप से त्वचा की संवेदनशीलता इसके प्रमुख लक्षण है । दवाओं से इसको नियंत्रित किया जा सकता है ।       मरीज ऐसा न करें धूप से बचें । धूम्रपान न करें । डॉक्टर के निर्देश के बिना दवाई न लें ।

Let us have a look at a few myths about rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-Part-II Myth : Birth control pills can make symptoms of RA worse. Reality : Birth control pills do NOT worsen the symptoms of RA but they may modify the disease severity. Myth: Women with RA have more trouble in conceiving. Fact : RA does not decrease the fertility. Myth : Women on oral contraceptive pills cannot take RA medications. Reality : Yes, patient can continue both simultaneously. Myth: RA mostly affects the elderly women. Reality : No, RA is the disease of young women. Incidence of RA increases from 25 to 55 years of age, after which it plateaus until the age 75 and then decreases. Myth: RA is hereditary i.e. diseases is passed from parents to children. Reality: RA  is not hereditary.   Myth : RA cannot be prevented. Reality : There are a few potentially modifiable risk factors, which can be altered resulting in reduced incidence of RA l...

Let us have a look at a few myths about rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-Part-I Myth:  RA is no different from osteoarthritis in women. Reality: RA and osteoarthritis are two entirely different diseases. RA is an autoimmune inflammatory arthritis affecting women of reproductive age group while osteoarthritis is a non-inflammatory degenerative joint disease usually occurring after 40 years of age. They differ in epidemiology, causes, mechanism, clinical presentation, management and course of disease. Myth:  Women with RA shouldn’t exercise, as it can be dangerous to the inflamed joints. Reality: Only aggressive, intense and high impact exercises to be avoided during active joint disease i.e. when joints are inflamed. Exercise is an important part of management of RA. Myth: Women with RA do not face the risk of any other disease. Reality: RA patients are at increased risk of developing cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction, angina, arrhythmia), hypertension, stroke, ...