According to the Arthritis Foundation, approximately 60 million people in the U.S. have arthritis.

Although there are many types and causes of arthritis, osteoarthritis is the most common. Sometimes known as “wear and tear” arthritis or degenerative joint disease, it is the progressive breakdown of cartilage, our joints’ shock absorbers.

People with osteoarthritis often experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• Pain that increases over time
• Stiffness
• Limping
• Weakness
• Swelling
• Poor range of motion
• Problems walking or doing other everyday activities

Treating Arthritis

“There are several approaches your health care provider may recommend to ease the pain of arthritis and restore mobility,” says Matthew Brown, MD, orthopedic surgeon at Cooper University Health Care. Read more.

“Most people who get RSV will only experience mild symptoms, much like the common cold,” says Mara Gordon, MD, a family medicine physician at Cooper University Health Care. “But others may develop severe respiratory complications, including difficulty breathing.”

Most children contract RSV before their second birthday and it is highly contagious. With symptoms so similar to a cold, many RSV infections are missed. Read more.

This month, the Level I Trauma Center at Cooper University Health Care is celebrating its 40^th anniversary of serving South Jersey. From humble beginnings in November 1982, starting as a “demonstration project” to assess the need for dedicated trauma services in the region, Cooper is now one of only three state-designated Level 1 Trauma Centers in the New Jersey and is the busiest in the region, providing life-saving services to nearly 4,000 patients annually. Read more.

A visit to your primary care provider is likely to include a trip to the lab for bloodwork. Is there really a need to endure the bloodletting jab? Simply put, “yes.”

Your bloodwork reveals important information about your health. Even if you believe you are in good health, bloodwork can identify potential health risks when they are most easily treated and help track changes in your health over time. Read more.

Cooper University Health Care’s Gerard Carroll, MD, FAAEM, EMT-P, received the 2022 Nicholas Rosecrans Award for developing and launching the first EMS-administered buprenorphine program in the United States. Dr. Carroll is the medical director of EMS Services and division head of EMS/Disaster Medicine at Cooper University Health Care and Cooper’s Emergency Medical Services.

The prestigious Nicholas Rosecrans Award, presented annually by The California Paramedic Foundation, recognizes EMS organizations nationwide that deliver excellence in injury and illness prevention programming. Read more.

A new study (known as the Sister Study) released by the researchers at the National Institutes of Health finds that women who used chemical hair straightening products were at higher risk for uterine (endometrial) cancer compared to women who did not report using these products. The researchers found no associations with uterine cancer for other hair products that the women reported using, including hair dyes, bleach, highlights, or perms. Read more.

Heart failure is not a heart attack

“While some of the symptoms of heart failure may be similar to those of a heart attack, they are not the same,” says Ketan Gala, MD, FACC, Medical Director of the Advanced Heart Failure program at Cooper University Health Care and member provider of Cooper and Inspira Cardiac Care.

Heart attacks occur when the heart’s blood supply is blocked, usually by a build-up of plaque in the arteries, which causes damage to the heart muscle. Read more.

Cooper University Health Care is one of only 28 health systems nationwide to earn the 2022 American Medical Association Joy in Medicine™ Health System Recognition. The AMA distinction is granted only to those organizations that demonstrate a commitment to preserving the well-being of clinical care team members by engaging in proven efforts to combat work-related stress and burnout.

“This recognition highlights Cooper’s belief that supporting our medical providers and other team members is essential to our mission to serve, to heal, to educate,” said Eric Kupersmith, MD, SFHM, senior vice president and chief physician executive at Cooper. Read more.

About one in eight women in the U.S. will have breast cancer in her lifetime. This is a staggering statistic. The good news is more women are aware of their risk factors due  to improved awareness, education, advanced diagnostic screenings, and genetic testing options.

“Doctors review many risk factors for breast cancer, including age, genetic mutations, and family history,” says Ryan Gruner, MD, FACS, a breast surgeon at MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper. Read more.

Today, October 13, is National Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day, bringing attention to the unique needs of women and men living with metastatic, or stage IV, breast cancer. It’s also a chance to celebrate the strength and resilience of our metastatic patients.

It is estimated that 287,8500 Americans will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. About 6% of breast cancer diagnoses are metastatic. Read more.