Most of what we at Allevio know about Lady Gaga, we’ve learned listening to DJ’s before or after her songs play in our waiting room.
Hearing this morning that she has Synovitis, however, gave us something we can (unfortunately) relate to. Lady Gaga’s Synovitis is an example of how underlying chronic diseases like Lupus can lead to severe pain and require medical attention.
Understanding Lady Gaga’s Synovitis means understanding her underlying condition, Lupus. According to the Lupus Canada website:
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation in one or more parts of the body. A complex disease, it can target any tissue or organ of the body including skin, muscles, joints, blood, lungs, heart, kidneys and the brain. Men, women and children can be diagnosed with lupus but between the ages of 15 and 45, nine times more women than men are diagnosed.
Here is what you need to know about Synovitis, and how we might treat Synovitis at Allevio Pain Management:
According to our physicians and a Rheumatologist we trust, Synovitis is the inflammation of the Synovial Membrane (the thin capsule that contains the Synovial cavity). It typically occurs when another condition that causes or promotes inflammation is present in the patient (such as Lupus or Sjogren’s Syndrome).
Inflammation
The white blood cells and chemicals that help the body protect from infection and foreign substances such as bacteria and viruses are what swell and surround a wound when they occur.
In some conditions, however, the body’s immune system automatically triggers what is known as an inflammatory response (i.e. the white blood cells and chemicals are released) when there are no foreign substances to fight off. These conditions, called autoimmune diseases, lead the body’s normally protective immune system to cause damage to itself, and in the case of Lady Gaga’s Synovitis, cause damage to her joint linings.
Treatments
Treatments for it are entirely based on the patient themselves. For some, anti-inflammatory medications such as Advil work very well, for others who have more severe inflammation or chronic conditions, doctors need to inject Cortisone into the joint to control the inflammation. In severe cases, a Rheumatologist will prescribe an anti-rheumatic drug like Methotrexate.
Alternative therapies to physician treatments can include Chiropractic and Osteopathic approaches. The Allevio Osteopath has pointed to the golden rule of Osteopathy, the Rule of Artery, which says to balance and even flow of bodily fluids and energy as the key to reducing inflammation and maintaining health.