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Why Are Women More Likely to Get Arthritis?

You might be sitting down and working in front of a computer at your 9 to 5 desk job, typing away for hours at a time; or maybe you stock shelves as a retail associate, moving heavy objects all day long; or perhaps you work in daycare, bending down to pick up toys, comforting homesick children, and cleaning up messes.

Repetitive daily activities and lifelong wear and tear on the joints slowly eats away at the soft cartilage between your bones, regardless of your career path. When there is no more cartilage between your bones, painful bone-on-bone friction occurs that can cause inflammation and swelling, gradually leading to immobility. This form of arthritis is called osteoarthritis, the most common form, which alone affects around 21 million Americans.

Another form of arthritis called rheumatoid arthritis occurs less frequently, but is up to three times more likely to occur in women than men, specifically those over the age of 30. It is an autoimmune disease that causes synovial fluid that lubricates the joints to become inflamed and painful. Symptoms include long lasting pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joint area – even during rest.

So why are women more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis?  According to recent studies, the answer may lie within our genes. Studies show that X-chromosome-specific genes account for 14 of the 46 specific genes linked to rheumatoid arthritis.

This is a significant finding, since women have two X chromosomes while men have only one X chromosome. While the presences of X-chromosome-specific genes increases one’s risk for rheumatoid arthritis, this may also be due to high levels of the hormone estrogen in women.

Estrogen helps to protect the bones. However, after menopause less estrogen is produced. This can cause changes in the joints, including weakened bones. Sustained lower estrogen levels can make women more susceptible to fractures and other conditions, including arthritis.

While there is currently no cure for arthritis, if action is taken early on, the severity of symptoms can be reduced. If you feel pain, stiffness, or swelling in the area of your joint for more than two weeks, schedule an appointment with Dr. Ishan Gunawardene to discuss the probability of arthritis.

The sooner you know the specific type of arthritis you may be suffering from, the sooner Dr. Gunawardene can prescribe an effective treatment. Over-the-counter or prescription medications often relieve pain and swelling, but cortisone injections can be given if something stronger is needed. Additionally, acupuncture, physical therapy, and regular engagement in a low impact exercise regime have proven effective in treating and managing symptoms.

If you are suffering from joint pain or need help managing your arthritic symptoms, call (561) 434-1935, or request an appointment online with Dr. Gunawardene today.

The Importance of Seeing Your Provider After a Car Accident

Car accidents are an all too real part of life, both dangerous and frightening. Just like the accidents themselves, some injuries are more severe than others. Whether the accident is a minor fender bender or a head-on collision, it is important to see your primary care provider as soon as possible after an accident to be evaluated.

During traumatic events, hormones such as adrenaline are released into the body. Adrenaline is your body’s natural reaction to stress, in order to provide you with strength and stamina to escape whatever danger (real or perceived) you are facing. Neurotransmitters including endorphins are also released to keep you calm under times of great stress.

Both of these natural reactions are designed to aid in survival. They allow you to fight or flee in times of great danger. However, in doing so they greatly reduce feelings of pain and send you into a euphoric state, similar to being in shock. This is often the reason so many people decline being evaluated by their family medicine provider. They really are “feeling fine” and assume that if there is no pain, there must not be any injuries. But once those euphoric feelings start to wear off, injuries can start to present themselves. This can be hours or even days after an accident. The most common injuries caused by car accidents are whiplash and concussions.

With whiplash, you may feel pain in your neck, shoulders, upper back, and even tingling and burning sensations in those areas. Whiplash can present itself immediately or in the days following an accident.

Concussions can cause dizziness, disorientation, nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound. Again, these symptoms can be present right away, or take days to set in. Only a family medicine provider can rule out or diagnose such injuries.

Being evaluated by a medical professional will give you peace of mind, alert you to any symptoms you should be watching for, and will provide you with documentation of any injuries in the event that you will need to file an injury claim.

If you are involved in an accident, please call (561) 434-1935 or request an appointment online at one of our convenient locations in Royal Palm Beach or Wellington. Dr. Ishan Gunawardene and Nurse Practitioner Shariffa Gunawardene offer walk-in appointments to evaluate your injuries and treat you immediately after a car accident.

5 Tips for Living Better with Hypothyroidism

Has living with an underactive thyroid, or hypothyroidism, reduced your quality of life? If you’re in the 5% of Americans diagnosed and living with it, hypothyroidism has probably taken its toll on your activity level, sleep, and even moods, as it can be physically and emotionally draining.

Hypothyroidism is a condition caused when your thyroid doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone. Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the neck in front of your windpipe. The hormones produced by the thyroid are meaningful for regulating metabolism and other hormone interactions with the pituitary gland and hypothalamus in the brain. So when you don’t produce enough of these hormones, it throws your other physiological functions out of whack, and you may experience weight gain, hair loss and thinning, body aches, and even depression.

The most common treatment is a simple prescription for synthetic thyroid hormones, with regular monitoring by your family medicine provider. But what else can you do to feel your best while living with an underactive thyroid?

Here are our top five tips for living well with hypothyroidism:

  1. Get educated and involved. As with all chronic illnesses, it’s up to you to know what’s going on. Your involvement in managing your condition will have a dramatic impact on your day-to-day wellness. Do your homework to learn all you need to know about your condition.
  2. Alter your diet. You can help your body function as well as possible and gain a lot of energy back by focusing on your diet. It is important to consult with your family medicine provider regarding your specific dietary needs as an individual, especially if you have an underactive thyroid. Focus on whole foods, incorporating large quantities of vegetables that aren’t known to interfere with thyroid function; eat fresh fruits, lean protein, and healthy fats.
  3. Exercise. Some days living with hypothyroidism, just making it through the day can feel impossible. However, the less you exercise, the less energy you’ll have and the worse you’ll feel. If you exercise regularly, you’ll have more energy, feel better, and it’ll be easier to remain active. For people living with hypothyroidism, it’s actually important to avoid working out too much or too strenuously. Hitting the gym too hard can actually damage thyroid function and make symptoms worse. Instead, find a light aerobic activity you enjoy (walking, jogging, biking, dancing, tennis, golf) and aim to have three to four good sessions per week. Staying active will help with weight management, hormone balance, better sleep, and also stress relief, which is an important component of staying well with hypothyroidism.
  4. Manage stress. Life is hectic and stressful enough without having to manage a chronic condition. Unfortunately, stress makes hypothyroid symptoms worse. Make the effort to find a stress management technique that works for you, and make yourself a priority in your schedule. Many people living with hypothyroidism practice meditation, yoga, daily prayer, or journaling. Others have regular massages or acupuncture. Another way to manage stress is to seek support. Many support groups exist, both in person and online, for people living with hypothyroidism. Support groups offer opportunities to share struggles and be inspired by triumphs. It helps tremendously to talk to people who understand what you’re going through.
  5. Listen to your body. Monitor your own progress, and be your own advocate. Don’t settle for not feeling well. Take charge of your health, and if you feel something isn’t right, speak up to your family medicine provider. If one or a few of your symptoms seem out of control, ask Dr. Gunawardene what else you can do to feel better.

Dr. Ishan Gunawardene seeks to build relationships with his patients, and stay with them every step of the way, from diagnosis to treatment and long-term disease management.

As a highly accomplished internist, Dr. Gunawardene can help guide you through your hypothyroid concerns for the best possible outcome. Call our office today at (561) 434-1935 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Gunawardene, or request an appointment online.

Walk-ins and same-day appointments are welcome! Don’t put off getting the help you need and the quality of care you deserve any longer.

HBP Meds Essential for Preventing Early Death, But Many Not Taking Them Properly

High blood pressure is called the silent killer for good reason. Many people live with it for years, unaware of their condition and its dangerous consequences. High blood pressure, or hypertension, can cause kidney damage as well as increase your risk of blindness and dementia. Left untreated, hypertension also increases your risk for heart disease, the #1 cause of death in America. Without proper screening, you may not even be aware of a problem until you have a heart attack or stroke.

A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) finds that people who have been given prescriptions to control hypertension are not complying with family medicine provider’s orders. The CDC found that only about half of patients over 65 with hypertension are properly taking prescribed medications to treat their blood pressure.

So why aren’t people taking their necessary blood pressure medications? That is a complex question with many different answers. Some feel that since they aren’t experiencing symptoms, they don’t need to take it. Some drugs cause unwanted side effects, either on their own or when combined with other prescriptions. Patients will often skip doses or quit taking them altogether without asking their family medicine provider for a new prescription. Cost is another factor, and for many hypertension patients, there may be a combination of reason.

Regardless of the reason, “patients aren’t taking their medications,” CDC Director Tom Frieden said. “Health care providers can make treatment easier to help people keep their blood pressure controlled.” The report calls on the health care system to work together to control costs for patients while checking blood pressure regularly, even at the pharmacy. Hopefully this will help to prevent many premature deaths related to untreated hypertension.

If you suspect you have high blood pressure, or have been diagnosed with it and are still having symptoms, talk to your family medicine provider about how to better control your condition. Your medication, including dosage, can be changed if you are experiencing unwanted side effects from your meds or if you feel like you’re taking too many pills. Without the proper medication, hypertension can turn deadly, but there’s no reason it has to.

Dr. Ishan Gunawardene offers state-of-the-art cardiovascular care to help protect his patients against hypertension, coronary artery disease, and other heart disease. As his patient, you will be treated for high blood pressure based on your individual needs, not a one-size-fits-all plan.

Would you like to talk to Dr. Gunawardene about your blood pressure medications to make sure you’re taking the proper dosage for maximum heart protection? Call Advanced Medical at our Wellington, Florida office today, at (561) 434-1935, or request an appointment online.

Can Weather Affect High Blood Sugar?

Diabetics need to be very informed about what may or may not adversely affect their health. Spikes in blood sugar can be very dangerous, and sometimes things that may be out of our control can put you in a risky situation. Extreme heat can, in fact, affect your blood sugar control! During the summer, temperatures can reach an all-time high. Coupled with outdoor activities and tropical vacations, summer is usually a hard time of the year for diabetics. More people end up in the emergency room and are hospitalized because of illness due to heat strokes.

High temperatures can have a negative effect on other diabetic management supplies, such as test strips. Insulin can be damaged by the extreme temperatures, making them ineffective and unusable.

Here are a few precautions you should take to help you prevent summer from putting a damper on your plans:

Stay Hydrated:
Staying properly hydrated can cool down your body systems to prevent heat strokes. In the heat, increased sweating can quickly cause dehydration. When you are dehydrated, the concentration of blood sugar heightens as you have less blood flow in your kidneys. Drinking plenty of water regularly throughout the day can help prevent many of these heat-related issues.

Store Your Medications Properly:
High temperatures can impact the effectiveness of your medication. It is important to note the instructions on the back of your medicine, and do as it says. Most medications will suggest where to store it and in what temperatures to store it in. Never store your medications in the car, and be wary of taking them around with you if you are spending the whole day outside in high temperatures.

Stay Out of the Heat:
Staying out of the heat may seem impossible, but it is possible to make some minor changes so that you can still enjoy being outside during the summer without risking your health. At the beach, lay under a big umbrella, wear hats and sunglasses, and stay inside between the hours of 12pm-3pm, when the heat is at its highest.

Know when to Exercise:
When you exercise, your body warms up and sweat could make it so that dehydration is easier. It is important to exercise when the temperature has cooled down. You may want to exercise during the early mornings or in the evenings, to prevent spikes in your blood sugar. And again, remember to drink plenty of water while exercising.

Test Your Blood Sugar Levels Frequently:
Since temperatures can make your sugar levels fluctuate, it is a good idea to test your sugar levels more frequently than usual. This will let you know whether you need to take immediate actions.
Summer can be a very fun time for vacations and family get-togethers, but heat can affect your blood sugar levels.

Diabetics need to follow certain steps to prevent risky situations. If you would like to get more suggestions about how to manage chronic conditions such as diabetes, our experienced providers are always there to help! Call us at (561) 434-1935 today, to schedule an appointment!

Welcome to Our Blog

Thank you for visiting our blog, and we look forward to connecting with you.

Advanced Medical is excited to bring you the latest information about research and advancements in primary care. This blog will also be used to post updates about our practice and keep in touch with our patients.

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