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    Polymyalgia Rheumatica: Causes, Tests and Treatment
    Polymyalgia Rheumatica: Causes, Tests and Treatment
    Polymyalgia Rheumatica: Causes, Tests and Treatment
    Ebook90 pages58 minutes

    Polymyalgia Rheumatica: Causes, Tests and Treatment

    By John Hewitt

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    About this ebook

    Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a condition that causes pain and stiffness in the muscles around the, neck, shoulders, upper arms, hips, buttocks, or thighs. The term literally means “rheumatic type of pain in many muscles.”
    Polymyalgia rheumatica is a medical condition which is potentially treatable. If it is diagnosed correctly and then lifestyle changes are made or the proper medication is taken to tackle it, it is a manageable condition and you can live a happy and normal life even if you have PMR.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherAndale LLC
    Release dateAug 14, 2011
    ISBN9781466140639
    Polymyalgia Rheumatica: Causes, Tests and Treatment
    Author

    John Hewitt

    'John Hewitt outstrips the categories we keep invoking for him, such as “doyen of Ulster poets” or “conscience of the Planter tradition”. He becomes, instead, the universal poet, servant of the medium, renewer of the forms, discoverer of the nugget of harmony in the language and in ourselves.’ Seamus Heaney 'The constant subjects of his poetry are historical isolation and private loneliness. When he uses one as a metaphor for the other, he writes with an unforgettable mixture of courage and perception.' Eavan Boland    ‘John Hewitt the poet made himself heard in a land of bellowers without raising his voice. He held out the creative hand rather than the clenched fist.’ Michael Longley   John Hewitt, father figure to a generation of poets such as Seamus Heaney and Michael Longley, is widely acknowledged as a poetic icon and creative catalyst within the canon of Irish poetry. Edited, with a new introduction, by acclaimed poets Michael Longley and Frank Ormsby, Selected Poems is testament to Hewitt’s remarkable legacy, and a celebration of a unique, compelling and still urgent voice in Irish poetry. 

    Read more from John Hewitt

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      Book preview

      Polymyalgia Rheumatica - John Hewitt

      Polymyalgia Rheumatica: Causes, Tests and Treatment

      John Hewitt, MA

      John Greenspan, MD (Ed.)

      Smashwords Edition

      ****

      Copyright 2012 John Hewitt, MA; John Greenspan, MD (Ed.)

      Smashwords Edition, License Notes

      This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

      Contents

      One: What is Polymyalgia rheumatica?

      Two: Why do you get PMR?

      Three: Common symptoms for PMR

      Four: How can I know if I have polymyalgia rheumatica?

      Five: Treatment

      Six: Notes on Side-effects of Steroids

      Seven: Self help treatment

      Eight: Things you should avoid during PMR

      Appendix A: Organizations Related to PMR

      Appendix B: Internet Resources / Further Reading

      Glossary of Medical Terms

      One: What is Polymyalgia rheumatica?

      Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a condition that causes pain and stiffness in the muscles around the, neck, shoulders, upper arms, hips, buttocks, or thighs. The term literally means rheumatic type of pain in many muscles.

      Usually, you have less chance of suffering from this condition if you are below the age of 50. The average age of diagnosis is about 70 years. It is rarely known to have occurred in people ages below 50 and is more prevalent among women. In fact, women are two times more likely to develop the condition than men. According to some researchers, women and men of Northern European or Scandinavian descent have a higher probability of incurring PMR than those of other descent.

      Polymyalgia rheumatica is a medical condition which is potentially treatable. If it is diagnosed correctly and then lifestyle changes are made or the proper medication is taken to tackle it, it is a manageable condition and you can live a happy and normal life even if you have PMR.

      Polymyalgia rheumatica can occur overnight at times. You may sleep fine one day and find the next morning that you are unable to move due to severe stiffness of your shoulder and hip muscles. You may feel severe pain and difficulty in raising your arms above your head because of the stiffness.

      PMR causes severe pain and can greatly hamper your social life. The first symptom is usually moderate to severe pain in the shoulders. The pain also may occur in the neck, lower back, buttocks, hips, or thighs. There may be general symptoms, such as low-grade fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, unintended weight loss, or depression. If you have PMR, you need to be very careful with dietary habits and daily routine. You may also acquire insomnia which causes fatigue and tiredness.

      The pain of PMR usually occurs in the morning, or after prolonged inactivity, such as a long car ride.

      If you are suffering from PMR, you will find it extremely hard to get up from the bed in the morning or do any other activity that involves the movement of shoulders or hips. As the day goes on, the intensity of the pain and the stiffness of the muscles subside and you will gradually be able to be more active. Towards the evening, you’ll be able to walk around and perform activities like a person without PMR.

      Occasionally, doctors may mistake polymyalgia rheumatica with fibromyalgia, a condition exhibiting somewhat similar symptoms. Fibromyalgia causes muscle stiffness and pain but no inflammation. This can lead to a misdiagnosis and wrong treatment while the actual condition -- polymyalgia rheumatic -- remains untreated. The difficulty of the diagnosis is further complicated by the fact that polymyalgia rheumatica symptoms are similar to those of a number of other diseases and these symptoms are not easily found in the physical examination. A number of tests and a proper diagnosis by a doctor can sufficiently establish whether or not you have PMR.

      People suffering from PMR may become isolated in their social lives because of its effects. You may find it increasingly hard to take part in daily activities and may suffer with sleeplessness, fatigue, pain and depression. Because of such inhibitions, PMR sufferers may also develop other related conditions which are a result of weak mental health. Psychological problems in PMR can be because of two reasons: either because you may develop giant cell arteritis after you acquire PMR; or else, your mental health may be affected adversely because of the loss of appetite and insomnia which accompany PMR. Therefore, it is very important to get treated for the condition as soon as possible.

      Complications related to PMR:

      About 20% of patients who have PMR may also have

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