Gibson Area Hospital & Health Services | Gibson gets it! | Spring/Summer 2019

GibsonHospital.org 16 Live well IF YOU’RE ONE OF the 1.5 million people in the U.S. living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), your immune system is mistakenly attacking your joints—usually many of them at once. That can make your joints painful, stiff and swollen. And it may even affect other tissue in your body, such as your eyes, lungs or heart. Symptoms of RA may go away temporarily and then return. These steps can help you better manage RA every day: Balance activity with rest. When your RA is active, taking breaks throughout the day can help you conserve energy and protect your joints. Still, gentle exercise is also a mainstay of treatment. Talk to your doctor about an exercise program that is best for you. It should emphasize low-impact aerobics, flexibility and stretching. And if you feel pain in a new joint while exercising, stop what you’re doing. Try hot and cold treatments. Hot treatments, such as a heating pad or a warm bath, tend to work best for soothing stiff joints. They can help you stay limber. Cold treatments, such as a wrapped bag of ice, numb nerve endings and can dull pain. Watch the scale. If you’re overweight, extra pounds add stress to your joints. So do your best to get to—or stay at—a healthy weight. Mind your medicine. Take any medicine your doctor suggests or prescribes exactly as directed. You might also ask your doctor about taking omega-3 fish oil supplements. Studies show they may ease pain and stiffness. Stop smoking if you light up. Your tobacco habit can make RA worse and cause other medical problems. Ask your doctor for advice on the best way to quit for good. Rheumatologist Manoj Kohli, MD, who brings his specialized care to Gibson Area Hospital & Health Services at locations in Gibson City and Hoopeston, encourages proactive care. “Early diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis can contribute to a higher success rate for reducing disease activity or even achieving remission,” Dr. Kohli says. “When the first symptoms such as joint swelling, pain and stiffness occur, talk to your primary care provider about a diagnosis and referral for treatment that will help you most effectively manage your rheumatoid arthritis.” Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians; Arthritis Foundation; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Rheumatologist Manoj Kohli, MD* Specialties: Diagnoses and treats conditions of the joints, muscles and bones, such as arthritis and osteoporosis. Education: All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India Rheumatology fellowship: Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR Internal medicine residency: State University of NewYork Health Science Center, Brooklyn, NY Gibson Area Hospital & Health Services (GAHHS) wants to ensure we keep our patients and families well-informed. We work closely with physicians who provide medical care to you. However, the physi- cians or providers identified with this symbol (*) are not employed by GAHHS and are independent contractors. with rheumatoid arthritis Talk to your primary care provider about a referral to see Dr. Kohli for your aches and pains. Now in Hoopeston!