Jackson Hospital | Partners | Winter 2021

10 Jackson Hospital In the United States, over 50 million people are diagnosed every year with some type of arthritis, rheuma- toid arthritis, gout, lupus or fibromyalgia. As our population grows and ages, the Centers for Disease Control and Preven- tion estimates the arthritis diagnoses will rise to an estimated 78 million people, or approximately 26% of the adult population. Rheumatology is a specialized area of medicine that focuses on these disorders of the joints, muscles and ligaments. The Jackson Clinic has a dedicated profes- sional within our family of specialists who can help our community deal with these disorders and live happier, healthier lives. Dr. Jacquelin Chua is board-certified in both internal medicine and rheumatology, and specializes in rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, osteoarthritis, lupus, RHEUMATOLOGY Women and arthritis pain gout and fibromyalgia. She completed her residency at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County in internal medicine and her fellowship at Rush University Medi- cal Center in rheumatology. One of the most common forms of arthritis, osteoarthritis, is the most com- mon cause of disability in adults. Of the 32.5 million adults in the United States who have been formally diagnosed with osteoarthritis, 2/3 of these patients are women. There are a few possible reasons as to why osteoarthritis tends to favor women over men: • Hormones: Women undergo several periods of hormone fluctuations throughout their lifetime, most notably menstruation and menopause. During these stages when hormone levels rise, women may experience increased joint laxity, or excessive flexibility of joints. A woman’s risk of developing osteoarthritis increases during or after menopause as estrogen levels drop during this life stage. • Musculoskeletal differences: While both men and women have the same bones and joints, women have wider hips than men. Wider hips can have a greater effect on the stress put on the outside of the knees. • Weight: More U.S. women are likely to be obese compared to men, and this extra weight can put extra stress on joints such as the hips, knees and ankles. After menopause, women often gain weight, which may help explain the increase in osteo- arthritis in women after age 55. If you are experiencing joint or muscle pain, speak with your primary care provider today to explore the best options for you. Ask about see- ing a rheumatologist to help you get back on your feet and living an active, healthy lifestyle! NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS! Jacquelin Chua, MD Rheumatology 1722 Pine Street, Suite 405 Montgomery, AL 36106 334-293-6904