WATCH: Arthritis and early detection
MONTREAL – Imagine living inside of a suit so restrictive that it makes life’s most mundane tasks, almost impossible.
September is Arthritis Awareness Month in Canada and the Arthritis Foundation is hoping to raise awareness about this crippling disease.
Dr. Peter Panopalis, a rheumatologist at the McGill University Health Centre, told Global News that it can affect anyone, of any age.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory arthritic disease that is found in all joints and Dr. Panopalis noted that early detection is key.
“Symptoms will include inflammation in joints, stiffness, swelling of joints, possible fatigue, and just a general feeling of illness,” he said.
“The important part is early detection and treatment; not recognizing and treating could lead to deformity and disability.”
If detected early and treated aggressively, the disease may go into remission.
“Besides the use of anti-inflammatory medication and steroids, we are now using disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs.” he added
“These drugs will halt the progression of the disease, basically, as soon as they discover it.”
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