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Rheumatoid Arthritis: Early Diagnosis and Treatment is Critical

November 18, 2011 by

[HTML1] In this interview and show Dr. Gracer interviews Alvin Wells, MD, and Glenn, one of his patients, on the treatment and symptoms of moderate rheumatoid arthritis, a debilitating disease that can affect people of any age and both sexes, although it does affect women more frequently.

Recognizing that there is a serious problem and then making sure that your doctor makes the correct diagnosis and referral is a roadblock for many patients. Some of the early symptoms are confusing and may be missed by your PCP.

A recent study shows that patients and their doctors may not see eye to eye on disease severity and need for treatment.  Getting tested and then referred for proper treatment can make a huge difference in how quickly the disease progresses and in the future quality of life and longevity of those who have this debilitating disease. Recent studies clearly show that early diagnosis and treatment can limit the amount of joint destruction and can keep sufferers active and alive. Find out about this serious malady and its treatment.

More about Dr. Wells
Dr. Alvin Wells is a board certified rheumatologist and the director of the Rheumatology and Immunotherapy Center in Franklin, WI. He is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC. He received his MD from the University of South Florida College of Medicine in Tampa, FL. He earned his PhD in immunology from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine in Columbia, SC.

Dr. Wells has over 20 years of research experience with an emphasis on inflammatory disorders. His clinical efforts focus on the management and treatment of all aspects of rheumatology with an emphasis on the use of ultrasound in clinical practice. An internationally renowned speaker, Dr. Wells has published numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, letters, book chapters, and abstracts. He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the American College of Rheumatology, and the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.

Dr. Wells has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the University of South Carolina School of Medicine’s Distinguished Alumni Award and the American College of Rheumatology Research Award. He has had grant support from the Arthritis Foundation and from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. He currently is the principal investigator for a number of clinical trials.

Having studied 2 years at Uppsala University in Sweden, Dr. Wells is fluent in Swedish.

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About Richard Gracer

Richard I. Gracer, MD, is the founder of Gracer Behavioral Health Services, an innovative and comprehensive substance abuse program that stresses the reduction of cravings, and has been in medical practice since 1974. He is certified in Addiction Medicine and Family Practice, and a Diplomat of the American Academy of Pain Management. He edited Beating the Years, Beating Sports Injuries, and Beating Back Pain (Barron’s, 2003,2005, 2006), and wrote the popular “Ask the Doctor” column in the Lamorinda Sun for 10 years. He is the author of A New Prescription for Addiction.

Dr. Gracer is also the Host of A New Prescription for Health on WomensRadio. A New Prescription for Healthfeatures discussions with noted experts, both researchers and practitioners, on cutting edge, holistic, and comprehensive treatments for pain and addiction. Aimed at the educated person seeking more information, this series provides hard-to-get information and insights, including interviews with actual patients, on treatment of these difficult and pervasive problems.

Email Dr. Richard Gracer by clicking HERE.