Tag Archives: Chronic Conditions

Medicine, Men's Health, Opinion, Women's Health

THE DOCTORS 101 CHRONIC SYMPTOMS & CONDITIONS #56: LUPUS

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Lupus, which used to be called lupus erythematosus because of its butterfly rash and light sensitivity, is an auto immune disease, along with celiac disease and several other autoimmune diseases, it is the great imitator. It can affect almost any organ system.

The great variety of symptoms, and relative rarity leads to a difficulty in establishing the diagnosis. Eventually, you may be lucky enough to  find someone who figures it out.

The butterfly rash over the bridge of the nose and cheeks is the most typical finding but it’s not present in all patients. Rheumatoid symptoms, including fatigue fever and joint involvement is common. Chest pain and shortness of breath can occur. Headache confusion and memory loss occurs. Involvement of the kidneys can also occur, it is often the involvement that is life-threatening. These are symptoms maywax and wane over a number of years.

The cause of lupus may involve a black background of infection, the medication, or even sunlight. As with most auto immune diseases, the actual cause is obscure.

Laboratory findings may include an anemia, kidney or liver involvement, and especially anti-nuclear antibody’s. Most people with lupus have a positive ANA test, but not all people with these positive tests have lupus. Other test maybe necessary.

Treatment is usually with Drugs which diminish the immune system. Targeting the B-lymphocytes specifically with rituximab or bulimumab may be helpful.

Lupus, the wolf, can be stealthy and severe. Patients often have to be their own advocate in order to get properly treated.

Please see the following mail clinic article for more information.

—Dr. C.

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Medicine, Men's Health, Opinion, Women's Health

THE DOCTORS 101 CHRONIC SYMPTOMS & CONDITIONS #55: ALOPECIA (HAIR LOSS)

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Alopecia is the medical term for baldness. The word has an interesting linguistic  derivation, and comes from the Greek word Alopex, meaning fox. Foxes in Hippocrates time apparently were afflicted by hair loss from mange.

Men and women have different kinds of hair loss. In men, there is the receding hairline with age. As women age, there’s some thinning of the hair generally, and at the top of the head.

A special kind of hair loss that occurs in discrete areas is called alopecia areata. This is an auto immune disease, and is increased in frequency with people who have other autoimmune diseases. Hair loss can also be due to a fungal disease (ringworm) especially in children.

Cancer treatment can cause generalized hair loss, and we have all seen the bald children receiving cancer therapy, especially radiation.
Hair loss and regrowth comes in cycles. We all lose many hairs each day, but they regrow. When the cycle slows, there is a net loss of hair.

When I was in medical practice, my partner had early onset baldness, and was given hair transplants, which were effective. Treatments include minoxidil, which apparently increases the speed of hair cycles. An irritant, such as anthralin, will sometimes help Alopecia areaway by causing inflammation, apparently resetting  the immune reaction that’s causing the hair loss.

Finasteride, which interferes with local testosterone production, can stimulate hair growth. I take Finasteride for prostate enlargement, and was surprised to hear about it’s effect on hair growth. Maybe that’s why I have such a bushy head of hair.

Please read the following at Mayo clinic article for a more organized discussion.

—Dr. C.

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Medicine, Men's Health, Resources, Women's Health

THE DOCTORS 101 CHRONIC SYMPTOMS & CONDITIONS #53: GRAVES’ DISEASE

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Graves’ disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is an over activity of the thyroid gland, and can also be produced by an overgrowth in the gland called an adenoma.

The thyroid gland is an H-shaped structure sitting astride the wind pipe. If a physician palpates the front of your neck, she is most likely trying to see if she can feel the thyroid gland. Enlargement of the grand can interestingly be produced by either overactivity or under activity.

Graves’ disease is an auto immune disease, where the antibodies produced attach to the TSH receptor on the thyroid gland, stimulating overactivity.

Many  metabolic processes are regulated by the thyroid gland, and increased activity produces difficulties like insomnia, fast irregular heartbeat, shaking of the hands, heat intolerance, and irritability. Other symptoms are protrusion of the eyes, fatigue, muscle weakness, and unexplained weight loss.

The doctor suspects the disease because of the symptoms, and must do blood tests and perhaps imaging tests to make the diagnosis. Treatment consists of decreasing thyroid activity, either by radiation techniques, anti-thyroid chemicals, or surgery.

It is very difficult to reduce thyroid activity in exactly the right amount, so that thyroid administration will be necessary. This can be tricky, and requires several visits for adjustment.

The ultimate cause of Graves’ disease is unknown. The immediate cause is thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin. Graves is an auto immune disease, and is more common in people who suffer from other autoimmune diseases, such as type one diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or inflammatory bowel disease. The doctor will question you about some of these diseases.

Both causes of hyperthyroidism have occurred in friends of mine. The friend with the adenoma had an easier time with medication adjustment, and had no other problems. The one with the Graves’ disease has had a difficult time getting a proper dose of thyroid medication, and she has other problems with auto immunity. Women typically have more  autoimmune problems.

Interestingly, the commonest cause of low thyroid activity is also an autoimmune disease. Some of the symptoms of low thyroid are the opposite of excessive thyroid activity; sleeping is excessive, there is sensitivity to cold, unexplained weight gain, and sluggishness.

Check with the doctor if you have any of the symptoms mentioned.
There is a Cleveland clinic discussion of Graves’ disease following this article.

—Dr. C.

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Medicine, Men's Health, Opinion, Women's Health

THE DOCTORS 101 CHRONIC SYMPTOMS & CONDITIONS #52: RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

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Painful, stiff joints are almost the rule as we get older, it seems. Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis contribute to that eventuality. Osteoarthritis typically worsens as we get older, whereas rheumatoid arthritis starts in middle age.

Rheumatoid arthritis is much more severe than osteoarthritis, since it is an autoimmune condition with an episodic inflammatory component. A recent medical study of different blood substances found that the “metabolome” has many markers for exacerbation of rheumatoid arthritis.

The main test currently being used to show exacerbation is CRP, C-reactive protein. Rheumatoid factor tests, such as anti-CCP, are used to confirm the diagnosis.

Rheumatoid arthritis tends to involve the small joints of the hand, and osteoarthritis the larger joints, such as the hips and knees. I go a bit against the grain, having diagnosed osteoarthritis of my fingers and toes, more typical of RA, but, even at the age of 89, my large joints are still in good shape, even with a lot of walking. Since walking is thought to increase the perfusion of joint fluid to nourish the knee cartilages, perhaps I should say BECAUSE of walking. Running tends to wear the knees and hips out, because of high impact on the joints.

The inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis tends to wax and wane, but during an exacerbation can be quite incapacitating. The interleukin TNF seems instrumental in causing these flares, and antibodies directed towards TNF, such as etanercept, has been a helpful treatment. This injection is also given for other inflammatory, autoimmune conditions such as psoriasis, particularly psoriatic arthritis, and the inflammatory bowel diseases.

Almost half the people who have rheumatoid arthritis also experience signs and symptoms in other tissues, such as the skin, eyes, heart, and lungs. It is truly a systemic, autoimmune disease.

For more information please consult the following mayo clinic article on rheumatoid arthritis.

—Dr. C.

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Medicine, Men's Health, Opinion, Women's Health

THE DOCTORS 101 CHRONIC SYMPTOMS & CONDITIONS #51: PSORIASIS (SKIN DISEASE)

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Psoriasis is a common skin disease, thought to be in the auto immune category. One of the main elements supporting auto immunity is it’s frequent association with an arthritis, which can be severe.

Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is both a skin and an allergic disease, and looks a bit like psoriasis. In my practice I saw many patients with psoriasis, perhaps people confusing allergy and dermatology.

Both psoriasis and eczema have a red inflamed base, with many little silvery scales of skin on top. These patchy areas tend to be on the outside bends of the elbows and knees in psoriasis, contrasting with eczema, where the dermatitis is located on the inside of the bends. Eczema is a lot more itchy.

The cause of the skin lesions in psoriasis is thought to be due to an interleukin called TNF, which calls to the area a number of inflammatory cells which, in addition to the thickened skin area and excess of epithelial cells, leads to a characteristic appearance under the microscope; biopsies are uncommonly needed when there is doubt about the diagnosis.

In its severe form, psoriasis can be very disfiguring, irritating, painful or itchy, and life altering. You have probably seen advertisements on TV.
Psoriasis has accumulated many different treatments, since it has been recognized and treated over such a long period of time. The basis of many effective treatments is “shotgun” systemic  immunosuppression, which reduces the autoimmune inflammatory reaction, but with side effects.

Topical Cortisone cream is the cheapest reasonably effective treatment, and works for mild cases. More recent treatments are specifically aimed out the interleukins which cause the disease, like TNF.

Please refer to the mayo clinic article for more pictures, and discussion of treatment.

—Dr. C.

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Medicine, Men's Health, Opinion, Women's Health

THE DOCTORS 101 CHRONIC SYMPTOMS & CONDITIONS #50: HASHIMOTO’S DISEASE

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Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is the most common cause of thyroid deficiency. As a practicing allergist, I would routinely palpate the front of the neck area around the windpipe where the thyroid is located. Every few months or so, I would feel an enlarged thyroid, order a high sensitivity TSH test, and, if positive, check for thyroid antibodies.

This saved my patients from having to go through the symptoms of underactive thyroid(hypothyroidism), since I detected the problem at an early stage, before symptoms developed.

Major symptoms of an underactive thyroid include fatigue, increased sensitivity to the cold, constipation, unexplained weight gain, and depression. Be sure to seek medical care if you are suffering from these symptoms.

An elevated LDL cholesterol is one of the biochemical results of hypothyroidism, and can lead to heart problems. I have been hearing that the routine physical examination it is becoming less common, and may even be replaced by telemedicine. The early detection of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis will be one of the casualties, since the doctor can’t find an enlarged thyroid unless she palpates for it.

You might wonder why an enlarged thyroid gland is associated with decreased thyroid production. The way it works is that the pituitary gland at the base of the brain detects a decrease in thyroid production. It responds by secreting a thyroid stimulant, TSH. The TSH causes enlargement of the thyroid gland, leading to the association of an elevated TSH with decreased thyroid activity.

Hashimoto’s  is one of the large number of autoimmune diseases. A person who has an autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, type one diabetes, or celiac disease, is more likely to develop others, and should be alert to that possibility.

Finding that you have  low thyroid activity is only part of the problem. It takes several visits plus input from both patient and doctor in order to arrive at the proper medication schedule. There are several different thyroid medications, and people respond differently to them.

Be on the alert for hypothyroidism. It can sneak up on you.

—Dr. C.

Medicine, Men's Health, Opinion, Women's Health

THE DOCTORS 101 CHRONIC SYMPTOMS & CONDITIONS #49: KYPHOSIS (ROUNDBACK)

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Older people are more susceptible to kyphosis. Osteoporosis is a risk factor, so it is no surprise that women are affected more frequently. This rounding tendency of the thoracic spine can be measured on a lateral x-ray of the spine in terms of degrees; 20 to 40°  is considered normal. The angle increases with age, and almost half of older people have an angle more than 40°.

Children can also get kyphosis-Scheuermann’s disease-during the rapidly growing years. Kyphosis occurs when the normally block-like vertebrae become wedge shaped, with the narrow part towards the front.

Causes of kyphosis include fractures, with or without osteoporosis, disc degeneration, cancer and cancer treatment. Tuberculosis of the bone used  to be a common cause of hunchbacks, but this is no longer a problem.

Kyphosis can produce breathing problems by putting pressure on the lungs, increase digestive problems such as GERD, or compress spinal nerves causing pain.

At the age of 89, I have a problem with kyphosis. At the age of 30, one of my thoracic vertebrae sustained a wedge compression fracture, probably from jumping off a wall or something similarly stupid.

I continually have to fight foreword slouching when I walk, and remind myself to stand up straight, and throw my shoulders back. My neck arthritis makes it difficult to look up when I walk.

I also do angle push-ups to strengthen my back muscles. I have a friend who has severe kyphosis, and recently had an orthopedic operation to correct it. I am hopeful that this operation will relieve his sense of shortness of breath and reduce his GERD.

Treatment includes taking vitamin D and calcium, or other medicines for osteoporosis. Smoking should be avoided, and alcohol limited. There are a number of exercises that are recommended, some of which I have mentioned.

Please refer to the following Mayo clinic article for more information.

—Dr. C.

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Medicine, Men's Health, Opinion, Resources, Women's Health

THE DOCTORS 101 CHRONIC SYMPTOMS & CONDITIONS #48: URTICARIA (HIVES)

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ALLERGY is a type of reaction that can vary from annoying to fatal. The question has always been: what possible utility to the body does the allergic reaction, which has survived evolution, provide? The best theory fingers parasitic infestations; not only can parasites cause allergic reactions, Indicate allergy by showing blood eosinophilia, but the allergic reaction seem to help us fight parasitic infestation, which was much more common in humanity’s  past, and in present day underdeveloped societies.

URTICARIA consists of a number of little welts or bumps that pop up on the skin and are very itchy. This reaction is caused by little darkly-staining cells called MAST CELLS, which release Histamine  and other irritants into the skin, causing hives. These mast cells are provoked into releasing their irritating cargo by IGE antibodies, the basis of true allergy.

Treatment consist of removing the cause, blocking the action of the IgE antibodies, or giving medication to block the action of the histamine( anti-histamines).

There are multiple common causes, several giving its name to a type of Urticaria. Pressure urticaria can be caused by a belt or tight fitting clothing pressing on the skin to cause the hives. Solar urticaria can be caused by sunlight.

Cold urticaria can be caused by exposure to very cold objects. Hives can also be caused stress, exercise, different foods(seafood and strawberries are the most famous), different drugs(penicillin and aspirin are the most famous), and scratching on the skin(dermatographia).

Hives can occur as a feature of ANAPHYLAXIS. If the IgE-mast cell reaction is extensive, the blood pressure can drop, internal organs can be affected, and emergency treatment must take place to prevent death.
My only experience with hives was after a bee sting, when I broke out with itchy bumps. I had desensitization with honeybee venom, although this is not always done these days. Be sure to check with your doctor if you have such a reaction, however.

The biggest recent improvement in treating people who are incapacitated with frequently recurring and long lasting hives is anti-IGE, an expensive but very effective injection.

If you have hives, be sure to keep a record of events that immediately preceded the hives, including foods, activities,, and exposures. Although the recommended Mayo clinic article that follows suggests that you see a dermatologist or an allergist, I would reverse that and suggest the allergist first.

—Dr. C.

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Medicine, Men's Health, Opinion, Women's Health

THE DOCTORS 101 CHRONIC SYMPTOMS & CONDITIONS #47: POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD)

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PTSD, post traumatic stress disorder, has been increasingly recognized by the medical community, and was admitted to the status of a psychiatric disorder in 1980. It was first recognized as “shell shock” in combat soldiers.

The movie, “Patton”, featured one such case; abusive behavior of a soldier by Patton hit the newspapers, and he was sidelined for the start of “ operation overlord“. Since the majority of soldiers were not incapacitated , Patton thought the soldier was cowardly.

As an allergist, I was sent one case of PTSD; Believe it or not, the referring physician thought it might be an “allergy”, so little was it understood.

Now, memory consolidation  is considered to be one of its dimensions. An incompletely consolidated memory allows flashbacks to be considered the real thing.

PTSD is partly under genetic control, since identical twins are more more likely to experience the condition. Anxiety and other psychiatric problems such as depression and substance abuse  can be associated. Women are more likely to experience it. Individuals with low cortisol, elevated norepinephrine or a small amygdala or more likely to develop PTSD. Even children can be involved if they have been abused physically.

Any kind of a frightening experience, especially sexual, can be a cause.
Symptoms can include recurrent distressing memories, flashbacks, or nightmares of the traumatic event, or emotional distress and anxiety on exposure to a similar experience.

Treatment can include medication for depression, but  benzodiazepines should be avoided. Cognitive behavioral therapy has enjoyed some success, but treatment is generally difficult. Please consult the attached Cleveland clinic article for more information.

–Dr. C

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Medicine, Men's Health, Opinion, Women's Health

THE DOCTORS 101 CHRONIC SYMPTOMS & CONDITIONS #46: COCCYDYNIA

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Pain is the hallmark of Coccydynia (Tailbone Pain). The word can be divided into two parts; the first, coccy, refers to the triangular structure itself, which sits at the bottom of the vertebral column, and comes from the Greek word for ”cuckoo”. I previously thought it translated as “tail”. The second part of the word, -“dynia” translates as “pain”, which is much more appropriate.

The coccyx, or tailbone, is one of those useless vestiges of evolution, joining ranks with the appendix and paranasal sinuses. It sits just above the gluteal cleft on your backside, and  is the conjunction of four or five boney segments which are either fused, or joined by a variety of bony, cartilaginous or fibrous unions.

If these unions are damaged, irritated, or fractured, PAIN can result.
The attached muscles, the anus in front, and the buttocks(gluteus maximus) in back, account for some of the activities that can cause pain when the coccyx is disordered.

The main causes of coccydynia are falling on your backside, sports has bicycling, especially on irregular surfaces, or childbirth, which requires mobilization of the coccyx in order for the baby to exit.

One of my friends recently developed coccydynia from riding for several hours on a very bumpy dirt pathway. She has had the pain for two or three weeks now, has pain while sitting & upon getting up, but can walk without pain. Sleeping, especially on her side, causes no problems.

Ibuprofen affords temporary relief, but she likes to avoid taking it regularly because of side effects. Most people with coccydynia will recover after a few weeks, or occasionally a few months, and will be sufficiently impressed to avoid the causative activities.

If the pain persists for a long time or prevents normal activities, you should visit the doctor for diagnostic tests.

Please refer to the article by the Cleveland clinic for more information.

—Dr. C.

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