What is lupus? Lupus is an autoimmune disease that affects the joints and causes inflammation in other systems as well. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system of the body attacks its healthy tissue. It affects joints, skin, brain, lungs, kidneys and blood vessels, leading to inflammation and tissue …
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What is lupus? Lupus is an autoimmune disease that affects the joints and causes inflammation in other systems as well. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system of the body attacks healthy tissue. It affects joints, skin, brain, lungs, kidneys and blood vessels, leading to inflammation and tissue damage of the affected organs. More …
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What is lupus? Lupus is an autoimmune disease that affects the joints and causes inflammation in other systems as well. Lupus is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks healthy tissue. It affects joints, skin, brain, lungs, kidneys and blood vessels, leading to inflammation and tissue damage of the affected organs. What are the four types of lupus? …
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What is Lyme disease? Stage 1 early localized disease with a red rash with "bullseye" appearance occurring at or near the site of the tick bite. Lyme disease is a multisystem illness caused by infection with the microorganism, Borrelia burgdorferi, and the body’s immune response to its infection. The illness is transmitted from tick bites when the tick regurgitates the …
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What is the main cause of osteoarthritis? Risk factors for developing osteoarthritis include advancing age, obesity, trauma, family history of osteoarthritis, and more. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative disease of the joints affecting middle-aged and elderly people. It involves the breakdown of cartilage and associated inflammatory changes in the adjacent bone. It is a leading cause of chronic disability, …
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What is dexamethasone, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Dexamethasone is a synthetic (man-made) corticosteroid. Corticosteroids are naturally-occurring chemicals produced by the adrenal glands located above the kidneys. Corticosteroids affect the function of many cells within the body and suppress the immune system. Corticosteroids also block inflammation and are used in a wide variety of inflammatory diseases affecting …
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What is a supraclavicular nerve block? A supraclavicular nerve block is a procedure to block the sensation in the arm below the shoulder. A supraclavicular nerve block is a procedure to block the sensation in the arm below the shoulder. An anesthetic injection is administered in the area above the collarbone (clavicle) close to the network of nerves (brachial plexus) …
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What is Kevzara (sarilumab) and how is it used? Kevzara is an injectable prescription medicine called an Interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor blocker. Kevzara is used to treat adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) after at least one other medicine called a disease modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) has been used and did not work well or could not be …
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Rheumatoid arthritis vs. arthritis: What’s the difference? Arthritis is a general term for joint inflammation, and rheumatoid arthritis is a specific autoimmune disorder that starts in the joints. Arthritis is a general term used to describe joint disease. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a type of arthritis in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the joints, causing chronic inflammation. Rheumatoid …
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What is tramadol and what is it used for? Tramadol is a synthetic (man-made) pain reliever (analgesic). Researchers and doctors do not know the exact mechanism of action of tramadol, but it is similar to morphine. Like morphine, tramadol binds to receptors in the brain (narcotic or opioid receptors) that are important for transmitting the sensation of pain from throughout …
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