What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
什么是类风湿关节炎？

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease of the joints, usually the smaller joints of the body. Many people believe wrongly that this is always a disabling, severe condition. In fact, it may be mild and can be well controlled using modern medicine. It is not infectious, but no one is able to say what triggers it. There is no cure for this condition, but all patients can be treated.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS?

类风湿关节炎的症状是什么？

Rheumatoid Arthritis symptoms will vary a great deal from person to person, as well as from day to day. However, some of the common symptoms include:

· Stiffness and tenderness of the small joints, especially of the wrist, hands and feet (the base of the fingers, thumbs or toes can be affected; less commonly it can affect the larger joints such as the knee, shoulder, ankle and neck)

· Tiredness

· Morning stiffness

In summary, the main symptoms are pain, stiffness and swelling of the small joints.

HOW IS RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS DIAGNOSED?

After being suspected by the doctor upon examination, rheumatoid arthritis can usually be diagnosed by tests, including x- rays of the hands and special blood tests.

HOW COMMON IS THE PROBLEM?

About 2 persons in 100 suffer to some extent from rheumatoid arthritis. It is more common in females. Most sufferers are between 40 and 60 years of age, but the disease can affect people in any age group, even in juveniles (Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis or JRA). However, the majority of patients have little or no long- term problems and only 1 patient in 10 is severely affected.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS?

In severe cases the swollen and deformed joints may become partly or completely dislocated, causing considerable discomfort and problems with walking if the knee or foot joints are affected. The tendons may become so weak that they can snap. A special problem is the neck, which can become unstable so that manipulative procedures can be dangerous and cause paralysis.

Difference between Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis

骨关节炎和类风湿关节炎的区别

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS?

EXERCISE

It is important to keep fit. Walking and swimming are to be encouraged. Many local councils and physiotherapists offer swimming and other forms of hydrotherapy in heated pools. Home exercise routines to prevent muscle weakening can be provided by your physiotherapist or doctor.

REST

Rest is important and depends on how you feel. It must be sensibly balanced with exercise. If an exercise causes pain, it should be altered or reduced.

JOINT MOVEMENT

Each joint affected should be put through a daily full range of motion to keep it mobile and to reduce stiffness. Protect any weakened joints or tendons by lifting gently and smoothly rather than in a jerking motion.

HEAT AND COLD

For stiff joints a hot-water bottle, warm water or a heat lamp can help. For morning stiffness an electric blanket or a warm shower can be helpful. Sometimes cold packs or water are appropriate, for example over a hot, tender joint.

DIET

There is no special diet. No specific food has caused arthritis and no specific diet will cure it. However, a nourishing and well-balanced diet including adequate fibre will promote health and a sense of well-being. Maintain a normal weight to lessen the burden on your joints.

Sinopharm COVID-19 & Latest Influenza Vaccines (Protects against Flu and H1N1 Viruses) / PCR COVID Testing / Serology Tests for Travellers & Serology Testing to Certify Vaccination status. Make your Appointment at Tel: 6694 1661

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS MEDICATION

There are many effective pain-killing and anti-inflammatory drugs available to treat rheumatoid arthritis. The basic drug is likely to be aspirin in high doses, but it can cause ringing in the ears and other unpleasant effects. Your doctor may have to experiment for a time before finding the best drugs for you.

SURGERY

Occasionally surgery may help if a particular joint is severely inflamed by removing the inflamed lining called the synovium. In later stages it may be possible to replace a badly damaged joint with an artificial joint.

SUPPORT

Excellent leaflets and practical help are available from the Arthritis Foundation in your city. These include information about and access to a wide range of inexpensive equipment and tools that can assist your daily living.

Please seek Medical attention as soon as possible if you are unsure of you or your family's health condition.

Management of Joint Pains & Gout

Arthritis in the Elderly

What is Osteoarthritis?

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Symptoms, Causes & Prevention of Gout

Back Pain and Your Brain: William S. Marras at TEDxOhioStateUniversity

Ph.D., CPE. William S. Marras holds the Honda Endowed Chair in the Department of Integrated Systems Engineering at the Ohio State University. He serves as the director of the Biodynamics Laboratory and is in the process of developing the Spine Research Institute at The Ohio State University. Dr. Marras also holds joint appointments in the Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, as well as Biomedical Engineering.

His research is centered on musculoskeletal causal pathway investigations including occupational biomechanical epidemiologic studies, laboratory biomechanics studies, mathematical modeling, and clinical studies of the spine. His findings have been published in over 200 peer reviewed journal articles and numerous books and book chapters including a recent book entitled "The Working Back: A Systems View." Professor Marras was the past Chair of the Board on Human Systems Integration at the National Research Council (NRC). He is currently Editor-in-Chief of Human Factors, Deputy Editor of Spine, and has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering (the National Academies).

Up to $400 per Medisave Account per year can be used for Vaccinations under the National Adult & Childhood Immunisation Schedule - Influenza, Pneumococcal (PCV13/PPSV), Human Papillomavirus (HPV2/HPV4), Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis (Tdap), Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR) and Chickenpox (Varicella)

Part of the National Influenza Sentinel Surveillance programme with MOH. If you have a fever of > 38 degrees with a cough, our clinic is able to test for COVID-19. For children below 12 years old with clinical diagnosis of HFMD (eg fever, oral ulcers, rash), our clinic can test for Hand Foot & Mouth Disease (The tests are for surveillance purposes only).

Health Assessment & Screening Packages

Health Assessment

Health Screening Packages

Dominic D'Agostino: Metabolic Therapies: Therapeutic Implications and Practical Application

Metabolic therapies that induce a state of mild ketosis from caloric restriction or the ketogenic diet offer neuroprotection against a wide range of pathologies, and continues to be an emerging strategy for the metabolic management of cancer. Severe dietary restriction of calories or carbohydrates is typically needed to produce a level of ketosis that achieves therapeutic benefits. Interestingly, the strategy to use exogenous ketones as an alternative fuel has not been exploited therapeutically. When administered orally in controlled dosages, ketone esters and other ketogenic agents can lower glucose and elevate plasma ketone levels comparable to levels achieved by the most rigorous ketogenic diets. Metabolic therapies in the form of ketone supplementation offer a safe, convenient, and versatile new treatment approach for a variety of diseases, including seizure disorders, neurodegenerative diseases and cancer.

Dominic D’Agostino is an Assistant Professor at the University of South Florida’s Morsani College of Medicine. Dr. D’Agostino teaches in the Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology with an emphasis on such topics as Biochemistry, Neuropharmacology and Nutrition. His research is focused on developing and testing nutritional strategies for promoting healthy weight loss and enhancing cognitive and physical performance. In addition, his research aims to develop and test specific metabolic therapies and supplements for neurological diseases and cancer. Dr. D’Agostino’s research is supported by the Office of Naval Research (ONR), Department of Defense (DoD) and private foundations.

Healthy Diets for Optimal Health

The Anti - Inflammatory Diet

- Go Gluten-free

The Anti-Cancer Diet

- The Ketogenic Diet

Grow New Brain Cells

- The Neurogenesis Diet

Immune System Boosting, Anti-aging Longevity Diet

Vitamins & Nutrients for a Well-functioning Immune System to Protect against COVID-19 & other Viral Infections

(Ref: Nutrients. 2020 Apr 23;12(4). pii: E1181. doi: 10.3390/nu12041181 Optimal Nutritional Status for a Well-Functioning Immune System Is an Important Factor to Protect against Viral Infections Calder PC¹, Carr AC², Gombart AF³, Eggersdorfer M⁴.

Pain Relief Treatment, Therapy & Management

Knee Pain Treatment

Low Back Pain Treatment

Shockwave Therapy

Deep Muscle Stimulation Therapy

Groups at Higher Risk for Severe Illness in a COVID-19 Infection

Comorbidities & Underlying Health Conditions in COVID-19 Patients with Complications

高血压
糖尿病
脑血管疾病
心血管疾病
慢性肺部疾病
慢性肾病
哮喘
失智
慢性神经系统疾病
癌症
风湿病
肥胖
抽烟
慢性血液系统疾病/血红蛋白血液疾病
肝病/乙型肝炎感染
营养不良
免疫缺陷/免疫功能低下，例如 HIV AIDS
65岁及以上的人

(Ref: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41430-020-0642-3.pdf, Dailymail.co.uk, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32320003/, Comorbidity and its impact on 1590 patients with Covid-19 in China: A Nationwide Analysis https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/early/2020/03/17/13993003.00547-2020

Pain Relief Management & Treatment, Vaccinations, Health Screening, COVID & Allergy Testing, Dermatology Treatments, Minor Surgical Procedures

Pain Relief Management, Treatment & Therapy

Dermatology Treatment

Allergy Testing

Minor Surgical Procedure

Health Screening / Blood Test

Vaccinations -Sinopharm / Flu / NAIS / NCIS Immunization Schedules

Supervised COVID ART Test for Travel

Pre-Departure PCR Swab Test / Pre-Event Test / Serology Testing

Co-infection of COVID-19 with other infectious diseases is possible

Reduce your risk of getting sick with COVID-19

Make sure your vaccinations are up-to-date. People older than 65 years, and those with many underlying conditions, such as those who are immunocompromised or with significant liver disease, are recommended to receive vaccinations against Influenza and pneumococcal disease (PCV). Click here for Vaccination schedules (NAIS/NCIS).
Do not delay getting medical care for your underlying condition because of COVID-19. MD International Medical Centre has contingency MOH infection prevention protocols to protect you from getting COVID-19 if you need care for your underlying condition.
Continue your medications and do not change your treatment plan without talking to your doctor.
Make sure that you have at least a two-week supply of your chronic disease medications.
Call MDIMC @ Tel: 6694 1661 for a medical appointment if you have any concerns about your underlying medical conditions or if you get sick. Our clinic is a PHPC-accredited medical clinic. Under the MOH Swab & Go Home programme, our doctors can do a COVID-19 PCR Swab test if you meet the MOH medical crtieria.

Get Vaccinated!

COVID Vaccine & Booster - Sinopharm vaccine
Flu Vaccine
Childhood & Adult Vaccine schedule (Refer to NAIS & NCIS)

Up to $400 per Medisave Account per year can be used for Vaccinations under the National Adult & Childhood Immunisation Schedule - Influenza, Pneumococcal (PCV13/PPSV), Human Papillomavirus (HPV2/HPV4), Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis (Tdap), Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR) and Chickenpox (Varicella)

Latest Influenza Vaccine

Asymptomatic patients may display no symptoms of illness. Vulnerable people should get vaccinated against Influenza which protects susceptible people from, as well as exclude the Flu and H1N1 viruses should they start to show URTI or ARI symptoms.

The latest Influenza Vaccine is now available. It protects against the Flu and H1N1 Viruses. Ministry of Health Safety protocols are adhered to at all times for the safe vaccination of you and your family.

* Importance of Keeping your Vaccinations Up-to-date

NAIS & NCIS - Singapore is free from vaccine-preventable diseases like poliomyelitis, diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough) because of our successful immunisation progamme.

National Adult Immunisation Schedule (NAIS) Singapore @ MD International Medical Centre. Make your vaccination appointment at Tel: 6694 1661.

MD International Medical Centre

Medical Services available:

General Practice Family Medicine - Illnesses & Infections
Minor Surgical Procedures
IV Infusion of Medications
Respiratory Medicine - Influenza, Colds, Cough, Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTI), Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI), Sinus Infection
Treatment of Gastric issues, Stomach aches, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Heartburn
Infectious diseases & Virology - COVID-19, Dengue, Flu, Hepatitis B etc
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Look Younger - Botox injections
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Respiratory Medicine - Cough, Wheezing, Shortness of breath
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Pain Management, Treatment & Therapy - Arthritis, Back & Joint Pain, Migraine, Gout
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Vaccinations / Immunization - Latest Flu vaccine, Sinopharm COVID Vaccine & Booster
Travel Health - Travel Vaccinations & Health checks, Travellers' Diarrhoea
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Health Screening / Blood tests
Management of Chronic Diseases - Treating Prediabetes, Diabetes & Insulin Resistance / Hypertension
Heart Health - ECG Heart monitoring / High Cholesterol management / Chest pains
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Student Pass / Driving License Check-up
Personal Health Management - Preventative Medicine & Disease Prevention
Elderly / Senior Health
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Women's Health- Osteoporosis, Heavy Periods, Breast lumps, Urinary Tract Infection, Anaemia, Tremors
Child Health & Nutrition / Paediatrics
Obesity / Weight control & Safe Weight loss / Nutrition & Diet
Depression / Anxiety / Insomnia & Stress Management
Erectile Dysfunction medications / Sexually transmitted diseases (STD)

Public Health Preparedness Clinic

National University Health System Primary Care Network

Singapore Ministry of Health Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP)

The information provided in this website is for knowledge purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice.

Should you encounter any medical problem that you are unsure of, always consult your doctor or health care provider for assistance and medical advice.

MD International Medical Centre / MD International (Singapore) Pte Ltd

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Doing Our Best in the COVID-19 Pandemic!

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At all the times you can,
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