Daily Times

LAHORE: Intake of unhealthy food, obesity, smoking and lack of physical activities are among the major causes of arthritis in Pakistan, Pakistan Kidney & Liver Institute (PKLI) rheumatologist Dr Muhammad Haroon, said while talking to media on World Arthritis Day on Friday.

He added that PKLI aims to raise mass awareness about arthritis and provide cutting-edge treatment facilities to improve the lives of people with arthritis as well as reducing the burden of this condition on individuals and society. Generally, every fifth person suffers from musculoskeletal disorders, he added.

Dr Muhammad Haroon explained that arthritis is a disorder affecting joints. Stiffness and joint pain are the main symptoms, while some other symptoms include redness, swelling, warmth and restricted motion of the affected joints. Other organs are also affected in some types of Arthritis. Beginning of the disorder may be gradual or sudden and it could result in a dropped quality of life.

Among more than 100 forms of arthritis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the most common types. Osteoarthritis generally takes place with age and upsets sufferer’s fingers, knees, and hips. Rheumatoid arthritis mostly affects the hands and feet, he said, adding that cervical spondylosis, also known as neck arthritis or cervical osteoarthritis, is a common, age-related condition which affects the joints and discs in cervical spine.

PKLI focuses on offering a wide range of consistently high-quality and up-to-date medical services that will help in improving the health of the communities. As a growing regional healthcare provider, PKLI is now proud to announce a new addition of Rheumatology Department to its services. Providing an international standard of care for rheumatology patients and turning research into better arthritis care is PKLI’s mission, Dr Haroon added.

Published in Daily Times, October 13^th 2018.