Rheumatoid arthritis is a power progressive autoimmune inflammatory illness that impacts multiple organ programs, but the joints in particular. Rheumatoid arthritis also damages and erodes away the cartilage and bones within the affected joints. This erosion can’t be seen by physical examination and is measured by x-rays. More erosion on an x-ray usually signifies that… Read More »
The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) has issue guidelines for the management of glucocorticoid (steroid, cortisone) therapy in arthritis. EULAR is the equivalent of the American College of Rheumatology in the United States. Approximately 20 leading experts on steroid therapy reviewed 5,089 studies to develop the final guidelines they recommended. These include the following: Adverse… Read More »
Approximately one million Americans per year take high doses of prednisone and related drugs. While these medicines may be necessary to treat serious illnesses, they may also have unpleasant, and even devastating, side effects, including changes in mood, weight, and physical strength, and vulnerability to infection. In 1997, after acclaimed flutist Eugenia Zukerman was prescribed… Read More »