Services
Palliative care
Our role This multidisciplinary team of healthcare staff exercising different professions aims to ensure continuity of care at the Erasmus Hospital and externally when the patient approaches end of life or requires symptomatic treatment, notably to manage pain and uncomfortable symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, hiccups, constipation, etc. Our mobile team is available on request for the care team, patient and patient’s family.    Image Our specialities Our team consists  of liaison psychiatrists, internists, nurses, psychologists, physiotherapists, dietitians, pharmacists and social workers.  Their missions are to give timely and/or repeated opinions without assuming direct responsibility for the patient, to offer support to those around the patient and the care teams, to prepare for discharge, return home or transfer to another institution or rest home in close cooperation with the family GP and the required outpatient assistance and care structures. All team members listen to the patient, possibly provide advice and increase the awareness of all the interlocutors while respecting their individual philosophical convictions and religious beliefs. The joint approach to a patient with a serious, progressive and incurable illness must be centred around respect for autonomy while seeking to guarantee as much as possible the remaining quality of life and comfort.     Useful links Fédération Bruxelloise de Soins Palliatifs (FBSP)  Association pluraliste de soins palliatifs de la région de Bruxelles (Palliabru) : +32 (0)2 743 45 92
Ressource Douleur Et Soins Palliatifs - Erasme
Services
Rheumatology
Our role Rheumatology is the branch of internal medicine concerned with problems of the joints, tendons, muscles and/or bones caused by certain diseases. These can be diseases of the locomotor system or other pathologies that result in symptoms and pain in the joints, tendons, muscles, bones or any other organ. Image Image Rheumatology is applied immunology: it deals with all disturbances to the immune system and the diseases that result from them. Ultimately, any disease could be linked in one way or another to rheumatology Pr Muhammad Soyfoo Head of Rheumatology Department Our specialities In addition to a general rheumatology clinic, the department covers a number of specialised sectors and consultations: · Early onset arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis consultationsSpondyloarthritis and psoriatic arthritis consultationsSystemic and auto-immune diseases such as lupus, scleroderma, vasculitis, Sjögren's syndrome (see Focus), etc.Consultations for bone diseases of the osteoporosis varietyFibromyalgia consultations, in cooperation with the Multidisciplinary Centre for Pain Assessment and TreatmentVideocapillaroscopy, which is an examination to detect anomalies of the capillary blood vessels. In particular, it makes it possible to detect Raynaud's disease or a scleroderma. The Erasmus Hospital is one of 5 Belgian centres to propose videocapillaroscopy.Joint ultrasoundThe Department also proposes psychosomatic consultations to help patients confront the sometimes major psychological repercussions of their illness. Our Team Image Our medical specialists Focus In consultation with the Ophthalmology and Stomatology Departments, the Erasmus Hospital Rheumatology Department proposes a multidisciplinary approach to Sjögren's syndrome. This auto-immune disease affects mainly perimenopausal women and results in dryness of the eyes, mouth, vagina, etc. The department also has the distinction of being :Scleroderma reference centreEarly arthritis clinicMultidisciplinary centre for systemic and autoimmune diseasesA pioneer in research into systemic diseases Research Rheumatologists at the Erasmus Hospital participate in a number of fundamental or clinical research programmes on the diseases in which they specialise: rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome, etc. The department cooperates in particular with the Metabolic Biochemistry Department and the Immunology Department at Gosselies. Publications Aquaporins: Unexpected actors in autoimmune diseases. Authors : Delporte C, Soyfoo M.Journal : Autoimmun Rev. 2022 Aug;21(8):103131. doi: 10.1016/j.autrev.2022.103131 Neuromyelitis Optica: Pathogenesis Overlap with Other Autoimmune Diseases. Authors : Taheri N, Sarrand J, Soyfoo MS.Journal : Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2023 Nov;23(11):647-654 Involvement of CCL2 in Salivary Gland Response to Hyperosmolar Stress Related to Sjögren's Syndrome. Authors : Chivasso C, Parisis D, Cabrol X, Datlibagi A, Delforge V, Gregoire F, Bolaky N, Soyfoo MS, Perret J, Delporte C.Journal : Int J Mol Sci. 2024 Jan 11;25(2):915 Involvement of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) in Autoimmune Diseases. Authors : Sarrand J, Soyfoo MS.Journal : Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Sep 23;24(19):14481
Rhumatologie - Erasme
Article
Risks of screen exposure for children
To protect the eye health of younger children, consider other options. Risks Excessive screen time can pose several risks to children, both physically and mentally. Spending too much time in front of a screen can lead to eye problems, such as eye strain, and disrupt their sleep cycle, increasing the risk of sleep disorders. Moreover, prolonged screen use can hinder children's social and emotional development by limiting face-to-face interactions and fostering isolation. Additionally, constant exposure to inappropriate or violent content can negatively impact their behavior and psychological well-being. Therefore, it is essential to limit screen time and encourage activities that promote balanced development. Alternatives There are many alternatives to screens that entertain children while stimulating their creativity, motor skills, and social interactions. For example, reading books fosters language development and imagination, while offering a moment of calm. Board games are also an excellent option to strengthen family bonds and promote cooperation or healthy competition. Outdoor activities, such as biking, hiking, or ball games, are ideal for improving physical fitness and spending time in nature. Additionally, creative activities like drawing, painting, or making music help children express their emotions and develop their creative minds. Finally, spending time with other children, whether playing in a park or participating in group activities, enhances their social skills and emotional development. These alternatives are essential to provide a balance between digital activities and those that foster healthy development. Ophthalmology Paediatric ophthalmology