RA is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks the lining of the joints. This results in inflamed (red, hot, swollen), stiff and painful joints and eventually the destruction of the cartilage and bone of joints. RA can occur at any age. The cause is unknown. Symptoms do not only involve the joints but you may suffer from tiredness, low energy, fevers, poor appetite with weight loss and poor sleep. Diagnosis is made on the basis of your history and examination of your joints. Dr Suppiah will also routinely ultrasound joints to look for inflammation. Treatment includes medications to relieve pain and inflammation. It also involves medication aiming at modifying the immune system to stop it from damaging the joints further. More information can be found at: https://aucklandrheumatology.co.nz/RA.html

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a form of inflammatory arthritis that predominantly affects the axial skeleton (spine and sacroiliac joints). Untreated, this condition can lead to progressive loss of movement in the back and fusion of the spine. It typically affects young men, and often the symptoms of back pain and stiffness have incorrectly been attributed to a back injury for years before the diagnosis is made. Learn more: https://aucklandrheumatology.co.nz/AS.html

Psoriatic arthritis is a form of inflammatory arthritis associated with the skin condition psoriasis. It can occur in 10-20% of patients with psoriasis. Learn more: https://aucklandrheumatology.co.nz/Psoriatic.html

Gout is an inflammatory arthritis caused by the deposition of urate crystals in joints. It typically starts in the big toe, but over time can affect any joint. Treatment consists of managing the acute flare as well as strategies to lower the serum urate. Learn more: https://aucklandrheumatology.co.nz/Gout.html

SLE is an autoimmune disease where the immune system harms cells of the body. It can affect the joints, skin, nervous system, kidneys and heart. It can be managed and usually controlled with medication. It affects different people differently and can have symptoms that come and go. Symptoms initially can include tiredness, muscle and joint pain and swelling, hair loss, rash, and fevers. The diagnosis is made on the basis of the history and examination findings as well as blood tests and urine tests. Learn more: https://aucklandrheumatology.co.nz/SLE.html

This is a condition that usually only affects people over the age of 50, and causes pain and stiffness in the shoulder and hip girdle. Learn more: https://aucklandrheumatology.co.nz/PMR.html

Giant cell arteritis is the most common form of vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels). It predominantly affects the medium and large arteries going to the head. Common symptoms are new persistent headaches, pain in the jaw when chewing, scalp tenderness and visual disturbance. It is associated with symptoms of PMR. It can cause permanent blindness if not treated immediately. Learn more: https://aucklandrheumatology.co.nz/PMR.html

Otherwise known as degenerative arthritis. OA occurs when there is a breakdown of the cartilage, leaving the bones unprotected. It is very common and usually affects people as they get older. You can get it at any age and are more likely to if you have previously injured a joint, or are overweight. The symptoms can be very mild with just occasional pain with activity. Worsening symptoms include pain with activity and stiffness with rest. Joints can become swollen and restricted in movement. Joints can change shape as the bone changes in response to loss of protection. You otherwise feel well. The diagnosis is made on the basis of the history, examination findings and sometimes x-rays. The severity of joint damage seen on x-ray does not always correlate with the degree of pain you experience. Treatment includes guided exercises, weight reduction if needed, pain relief, cortisone injections, viscosupplementation and sometimes surgery. Get more information here: https://aucklandrheumatology.co.nz/osteoarthritis.html

Fibromyalgia is a syndrome of widespread aches, pains and fatigue. There may be morning stiffness and sleep problems. The diagnosis is made on the history of the pain and accompanying symptoms as well as the presence of tender points at specific sites on the body. There will often be blood tests and maybe x-rays to exclude other diagnoses. Treatment involves pain killers, exercises, rest and sometimes antidepressant medication. Learn more: https://aucklandrheumatology.co.nz/Fibromyalgia.html