Questions About Arthritis? We have the answers.
The CDC reports that 58.5 million, or 24%, American adults suffer from arthritis. The same study shows that 1 in 10 adults limit their activity due to pain associated with arthritis.
To help us navigate some basic information about arthritis, we caught up with Nina Couette, D.O., a rheumatologist with the Genesis Medical Group.
What is arthritis?
There are many types of arthritis, but the two main types of arthritis include osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis. Osteoarthritis, which Dr. Couette describes as degenerative and wear-and-tear arthritis, is the most common. Other kinds of inflammatory arthritis includes rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and gout.
In osteoarthritis, people experience pain and achiness in joints more toward the end of the day or with a lot of use. With inflammatory arthritis, the pain usually is more severe in the morning with prolonged stiffness lasting hours. People may experience stiffness and soreness in the joints as well, but it tends to get better with activity.
Since it’s the most common, we will primarily focus on osteoarthritis in this article. Please note that people diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis early have a better quality of life. So, if you think you may be experiencing rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, schedule a visit with your doctor as soon as possible.
Underlying causes of osteoarthritis
There are many causes of osteoarthritis. Some include:
- Age
- Genetics
- Joint Injury or overuse related to work or sports
- Obesity
- Weak Muscles
“Arthritis can impact everyone differently,” said Dr. Couette. “Unfortunately, there’s not an easy way to predict who will have severe versus mild osteoarthritis.”
Managing osteoarthritis symptoms
The first step to treating your arthritis symptoms is talking with your primary care physician. They may do some testing to determine which kind of arthritis you’re suffering from. Depending on the severity of your arthritis, your doctor may refer you to an arthritis specialist or a rheumatologist like Dr. Couette.
Although there is no cure for osteoarthritis, there are ways to manage your pain. Your doctor can share both medicated and non-medicated treatment options.
Non-medicated options:
- Exercising
- Weight loss
- Controlling high blood sugar and high blood pressure
- Following a healthy diet
“We’ve found that osteoarthritis is a disease of the whole joint,” said Dr. Couette. “That includes the bone, the cartilage, the ligaments and the tissues surrounding the joint. It’s important to keep those muscles and ligaments strong. That’s where exercise comes in.”
As strange as it may sound, moving your body more will help ease your osteoarthritis pain. Added physical activity can eventually lead to weight loss, which also helps alleviate arthritis pain. The Arthritis Foundation found that if you lose 10% of your body weight, arthritis pain decreases by 50%.
Experts suggest 150 minutes of physical activity per week. Dr. Couette recommends low-impact exercise for patients with arthritis.
“Things like swimming, cycling or yoga tend to be the best because you’re putting less pressure on your joints,” said Dr. Couette.
Remember, any amount of movement is helpful. You can learn to move your body through group classes at your community center or local gym. Overall, living a healthy lifestyle can both slow the beginning of your arthritis and help ease your pain.
Medicated options:
- Anti-inflammatories like acetaminophen or ibuprofen
- Topical medications
- Steroid injections
- Joint replacements
Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications and topical medications are options for those suffering from the typical aches and pains that come with an arthritis diagnosis. Steroid injections and joint replacements are for those who are no longer able to manage their pain.
Don't let arthritic pain hold you back from doing the things you love. Get in touch with your primary care provider to create a treatment plan that’s best for you.
To help us navigate some basic information about arthritis, we caught up with Nina Couette, D.O., a rheumatologist with the Genesis Medical Group.
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Genesis is one of America’s top 50 heart hospitals
Awarded by Fortune/PINC AI
For more than 70 years, heart disease has taken more American lives than any other illness or injury. That is why Genesis HealthCare System created the Genesis Heart & Vascular Institute. It is why we recruit the best heart doctors and invest in the most innovative technology to perform advanced heart procedures.
“Achieving this national recognition as one of the top 50 heart hospitals in America is a huge honor for the entire team at Genesis,” said Matt Perry, President and CEO of Genesis HealthCare System. “This level of exceptional care our team provides each patient is the result of many years of building an exceptional team of physicians, nurses and technicians, and implementing the latest, innovative technologies. You trusted us to care for you when you were in need of heart care, and your faith in us made this achievement possible.”
When Fortune Magazine/PINC AI, a healthcare improvement technology company, rated hospitals across the United States for 2023, Genesis ranked number seven in the community heart hospital category, the highest community ranking in Ohio.
Rankings were based on results for treating patients with a wide range of heart conditions and the cost of that care. According to Fortune Magazine/PINC AI, the winning hospitals achieved the following successes compared to non-winning hospitals:
- Significantly higher inpatient survival rates (19.0 to 40.6% higher).
- Fewer patients with complications (13.2 to 15.4% fewer complications).
- Higher 30-day survival rates for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), heart failure (HF) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients (0.4 to 0.9% points higher).
- Lower 30-day readmission rates for AMI, HF and CABG patients (0.5 to 1.0% points lower).
- Average lengths of stay varied between patient groups from 0.6 (AMI, HF, PCI) to 0.8 (CABG) shorter length of stay.
- $860 to $5,076 less in total costs per patient case (the smallest dollar-amount difference was for HF, and the largest was for CABG).
- Lower average 30-day episode of care payments for AMI and HF ($1,493 and $781 less per episode, respectively).
- Patients had a better experience at benchmark hospitals compared to peer hospitals, with a top-box HCAHPS score of 75% versus 70%.
“The recognition of being one of the top 50 heart hospitals is an outstanding accomplishment,” said Tabitha McKenzie, R.N., BSN, MBA, Director of Genesis Heart & Vascular Services. “The team continues to do a phenomenal job. They are dedicated to bringing the best heart care to our patients and community.”
If all hospitals performed at top 50 heart hospital levels, each year there would be more than:
- 7,600 lives saved.
- 6,700 complication-free heart patients.
- $1 billion saved.
According to Fortune Magazine/PINC AI.
Genesis Heart and Vascular Care
Through every aspect of Genesis Heart & Vascular Services, we are working to build a healthier future for our community. At Genesis, we put our heart into treating yours.
Awarded by Fortune/PINC AI
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Dillon, Kelsi D.
Doctor ID
5556
Client ID
5003
Kelsi D. Dillon, PA
First Name
Kelsi
Middle Name
D.
Last Name
Dillon
Professional Titles
PA
Year Joined Staff
2023
Year Began Practicing
2022
Gender
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Physician Assistant
Family Practice
101 West Dave Longaberger Avenue
Ste A
Dresden, OH 43821
United States
NPI
1598470452
Medical Education
2020 - 2022 Ohio Dominican University
Accepting New Patients
FALSE
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FALSE
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Genesis Primary Care
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Gevas, Kelli M.
Doctor ID
5559
Client ID
5053
Kelli M. Gevas, MD
First Name
Kelli
Middle Name
M.
Last Name
Gevas
Professional Titles
MD
Year Joined Staff
2023
Year Began Practicing
2013
Gender
Office Phone
English
Gynecology
Obesity Medicine
301 Dr. Mike Clouse Drive, Suite 2
Somerset, OH 43783
United States
NPI
1528124880
About
Kelli M. Gevas, M.D., FACOG, ABOMD, NCMP, is a board-certified gynecologist and obesity medicine physician with Genesis Women’s Health Specialists in Perry County. She provides obesity medicine care for both men and women. She earned her doctor of medicine at the University of Medicine and Health Sciences in Basseterre, Saint Kitts. Dr. Gevas completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Georgetown University, MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland. She is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology and obesity medicine.
Dr. Gevas also achieved National Certified Menopause Practitioner (NCMP) status by The Menopause Society, distinguishing her as experts in this field. The certification recognizes her specialized expertise in managing menopause symptoms such as night sweats, hot flashes, anxiety, insomnia, weight changes and more.
Medical Education
2009 - 2013 University of Medicine and Health Science
Residency
2013 - 2017 MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center
Board Certifications
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Accepting New Patients
FALSE
Is Referral Required
FALSE
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Kelli M. Gevas, M.D., FACOG, ABOMD, is a gynecologist and obesity medicine physician with Genesis Women’s Health Specialists-Perry County.
301 Dr. Mike Clouse Drive, Suite 2
Somerset, OH 43783
United States
Genesis Women’s Health Specialists-Perry County - Obesity Medicine Kelli M. Gevas, M.D.
Kelli M. Gevas, M.D., FACOG, ABOMD, NCMP, with Genesis Women’s Health Specialists-Perry County
5559
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Elliott, Eric D.
Doctor ID
5552
Client ID
5055
Eric D. Elliott, DO
First Name
Eric
Middle Name
D.
Last Name
Elliott
Professional Titles
DO
Year Joined Staff
2023
Year Began Practicing
2006
Gender
Office Phone
Interventional Radiology
NPI
1427251545
Fellowship
2012 - 2012 Nationwide Children's Hospital,2013 - 2014 Ohio State Univ Medical Center
Medical Education
2002 - 2006 Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
Internship
2006 - 2007 Doctors Hospital (Columbus, OH)
Residency
2007 - 2007 Doctors Hospital (Columbus, OH),2008 - 2011 Doctors Hospital (Columbus, OH)
Board Certifications
Diagnostic Radiology
Accepting New Patients
FALSE
Is Referral Required
FALSE
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Riverside Radiology and Interventional Associates
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87676
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Blesch, Sarah
Doctor ID
5548
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4397
Sarah Blesch, APRN-CRNA
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Sarah
Last Name
Blesch
Professional Titles
APRN-CRNA
Year Joined Staff
2023
Gender
Office Phone
CRNA
NPI
1023787769
Medical Education
2019 - 2021 The University of Akron School of Anesthesia
Board Certifications
CRNA
Accepting New Patients
FALSE
Is Referral Required
FALSE
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Genesis Anesthesia Physicians
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Genesis HealthCare System’s Chief Transformation Officer Ed Romito Receives OhioCIO 2023 ORBIE® Award
Zanesville, Ohio (April 3, 2023) – Genesis HealthCare System’s Chief Transformation Officer Ed Romito has won the OhioCIO 2023 Large Corporate ORBIE® Award. The award recognizes IT executives with exceptional leadership, innovation, and vision; representing the characteristics and qualities that inspire others in the field of information technology. IT executives are evaluated in multiple categories based on the size and scope of the organizations they represent.
“The work we do in IT is truly a team sport. I want to recognize our amazing Genesis IT team that deliver phenomenal, innovative transformative solutions every day,” said Ed Romito. “I want to thank our amazing visionary CEO, Matt Perry, our senior leaders, and our dedicated healthcare team at Genesis - using technology every day to take care of our patients and challenging us to make that technology better.”
OhioCIO is the preeminent peer leadership network of State of Ohio chief information officers. OhioCIO is one of 30 chapters of the Inspire Leadership Network, a national membership organization comprised exclusively of CIOs from public and private businesses, government, education, healthcare and nonprofit institutions.
Ed Romito was named Chief Information Officer of Genesis HealthCare System in 2009, which later transitioned to Chief Transformation Officer. He is responsible for leadership and management of information technology, cybersecurity, clinical engineering and telecommunications functions across the enterprise. In 2010, Romito led the implementation of EPIC, an electronic medical record software used by the nation’s top health systems.
He and his team provide ongoing support for the electronic medical record and revenue cycle systems within the hospital, outpatient departments, ambulatory offices, analytics, patient engaging technologies and population health solutions; development and execution of the information systems strategic plan; and the management of health information across the care continuum.
More information about OhioCIO and the ORBIE® Awards can be found here: https://ohiocio.org/awards
Recognized For Demonstrating Excellence in Technology Leadership
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Kassis, Edmund S.
Doctor ID
5540
Client ID
5036
Edmund S Kassis, MD
First Name
Edmund
Middle Name
S
Last Name
Kassis
Professional Titles
MD
Year Joined Staff
2023
Year Began Practicing
1999
Gender
Office Phone
Cardiothoracic Vascular Surgery
Robotic Assisted Surgery
955 Bethesda Drive
1st Floor
Zanesville, OH 43701
United States
NPI
1568518538
About
Edmund Kassis, M.D., is a Fellowship-trained and Board-certified Thoracic Surgeon and Medical Director of Thoracic Surgery.
Fellowship
2007 - 2009 MD Anderson Cancer Center
Medical Education
1994 - 1999 University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Residency
1999 - 2007 Johns Hopkins Univ School of Medicine
Board Certifications
Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery
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FALSE
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