Some May Be Vulnerable to Severe Skin Reaction While Using Gout Drug

TUESDAY, Oct. 1, 2019 -- Some gout patients with heart or kidney disease might be more susceptible to severe skin reactions while taking the gout medication allopurinol, researchers report.

"Our findings suggest that heart disease, like chronic kidney disease, is a risk factor for allopurinol-associated severe cutaneous adverse reactions that warrants adoption of precautionary measures against these reactions," said researcher Dr. Hyon Choi, from the Department of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

Your Noisy Knees May Be Trying to Tell You Something

THURSDAY, Oct. 17, 2019 -- Ever hear your joints clicking, creaking or crunching? Now, researchers say a new technique that listens closely to knees may help doctors diagnose and monitor osteoarthritis.

In the new study, researchers attached small microphones to participants' knees, which allowed them to listen for high-frequency sounds as the person repeatedly stood up and sat down again.

How to Manage Your Osteoarthritis

SUNDAY, Oct. 20, 2019 -- Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting about 31 million Americans, and is the leading cause of disability among adults.

Known as OA, it causes pain and other symptoms in joints, which can affect the ability to do everyday tasks. There's no known cure, but there are treatments that can relieve pain and maintain joint function, according to a rheumatologist at Wake Forest Baptist Health in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Many Americans With Rheumatic Disease Face Financial, Lifestyle Pressures

MONDAY, Sept. 30, 2019 -- A new survey shows that rheumatic diseases can be crippling both physically and financially as patients struggle to live with the debilitating conditions.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 54 million U.S. adults and as many as 300,000 children are living with a rheumatic disease. This includes conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, gout, osteoarthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, juvenile idiopathic arthritis and hundreds of lesser known diseases.