Aaria Rheumatology

Aaria Rheumatology She is recognised for her compassionate

ABOUT AARIA RHEUMATOLOGY
Trusted Rheumatology Specialist in Singapore
Dr. Anindita Santosa is a distinguished rheumatologist with years of experience in caring for adults with rheumatologic and allergic conditions.

Stop telling yourself it’s 'all in your head'.For a long time, many people experiencing memory lapses, brain fog, or sud...
06/02/2026

Stop telling yourself it’s 'all in your head'.

For a long time, many people experiencing memory lapses, brain fog, or sudden personality changes were told their symptoms were purely mental health issues.

The Reality: We now know that certain autoimmune conditions can specifically target the brain. What was once dismissed as "imagination" is actually a physical data point, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacking its own neural pathways.

Why this matters for you:
✨Validate Your Experience: "Sanity-stealing" symptoms or erased memories are not a sign of failure; they are signs of a biological process that needs targeted care.
✨Data Over Doubt: Recognizing these as autoimmune markers allows for earlier intervention and the chance to protect your cognitive health.
✨The Power of Recognition: Turning an "invisible" symptom into a clinical diagnosis is the first step toward regaining control.

Your symptoms deserve to be heard, not just "managed." By understanding the link between the immune system and the brain, we can move away from guesswork and toward precision diagnostics.

Schedule a Personalized Consultation Today to start looking for the real answers behind your symptoms.

A first-of-its-kind treatment for Sjögren’s Disease is on the horizon, and it follows a simple "Dual-Action" rule to hel...
05/02/2026

A first-of-its-kind treatment for Sjögren’s Disease is on the horizon, and it follows a simple "Dual-Action" rule to help you feel better, faster.

Understanding how new treatments work can be overwhelming, especially when they involve complex biology. To make it simple, researchers have developed a new targeted approach called Ianalumab. It is currently being submitted for global approval and works by using what we call The Sjögren’s Duo:
1. DEPLETE: It identifies and clears out the overactive B-cells currently causing inflammation.
2. BLOCK: It shuts down the signals (BAFF-R) that usually tell new "bad" B-cells to grow and survive.

The Result: By tackling the problem from two sides, clinical data shows patients can experience a dramatic reduction in dryness and fatigue in as little as 8 weeks.

By "chunking" the treatment into these two clear steps: Deplete and Block, it becomes easier to understand how this innovation provides the Relief you’ve been waiting for.

Speak to a Specialist at Aaria Rheumatology to learn how upcoming innovations in precision medicine can be integrated into your long-term care plan.

Why your 'safe' morning toast might be stalling your Lupus recovery.You aren’t "failing" your treatment, your DNA might ...
03/02/2026

Why your 'safe' morning toast might be stalling your Lupus recovery.

You aren’t "failing" your treatment, your DNA might just have a specific rule that hasn’t been addressed yet.

New clinical protocols reveal that for people with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) who carry the HLA-DQ2 or DQ8 genes, gluten can act as a major inflammatory "on-switch".

Why this matters for YOU specifically:
- The Myth: You only need to avoid gluten if you have Celiac disease.
- The Reality: Even without a Celiac diagnosis, these specific genes mean your immune system may treat gluten as a threat, fueling your Lupus symptoms.
- The Result: A low-gluten diet could be the "missing data point" in reducing your joint pain and fatigue.

Your Next Step: Don't just guess. Check your past lab work for HLA Typing or ask your specialist if you carry the DQ2 or DQ8 markers. This isn't a "fad diet", it's clinical empathy through precision nutrition.

Autoimmune Health, Dopamine, and Sensory SupportIf you are living with an autoimmune condition, your body may need a “ha...
02/02/2026

Autoimmune Health, Dopamine, and Sensory Support

If you are living with an autoimmune condition, your body may need a “happy chemical” boost more than most. Immune cells that stay on high alert have their own receptors for dopamine. When dopamine levels are healthy, they help signal the immune system to dial down pro inflammatory cytokines that contribute to joint pain and swelling.

The Biology Behind It
In many autoimmune conditions, dopamine levels are often depleted. This can contribute to a runaway inflammatory response, where the immune system struggles to switch off.

Why Sensory Immersion Can Help
Sensory immersion, such as the joyful and vibrant environments trending at Dopamine Land Singapore, is not just a weekend activity. It can be a way to help quiet a hyperactive immune system by supporting dopamine signalling.

Who This Is For
Whether you are a busy professional managing flares or a student looking for a mental reset, finding ways to naturally support dopamine can be an important part of a recovery toolkit.

Aaria Rheumatology Approach
At Aaria Rheumatology, we look at the science of joy to help patients build lifestyles that support immune balance and keep inflammation in check.

Next Step
Curious how sensory health fits into your specific recovery plan. Drop a “JOY” in the comments below.

The Lymphatic Pump: Why You Need to Move to De-PuffIf you often feel “puffy” after long hours of sitting or following ri...
31/01/2026

The Lymphatic Pump: Why You Need to Move to De-Puff
If you often feel “puffy” after long hours of sitting or following richer meals, there is a simple physiological explanation.

The lymphatic system, which helps clear excess fluid and inflammatory proteins from tissues, does not have a pump of its own. Unlike the heart, it depends entirely on gentle muscle contractions to move fluid forward.

During periods of inflammation, particularly in soft tissue rheumatism or connective tissue conditions, fluid can become trapped more easily. This is why the hands, feet, face, or limbs may feel heavy, tight, or swollen after being still for extended periods.

Simple movement acts as the system’s natural “pump.” A short walk, light stretching, or even slow ankle rolls provide the mechanical squeeze needed to help lymphatic fluid drain and keep inflammatory proteins from stagnating.

This is not exercise in the fitness sense. It is simply giving the lymphatic vessels the movement they require to function properly.

If puffiness or swelling feels frequent or confusing, Aaria Rheumatology can help you understand what your body may be signaling, calmly and without urgency.

The “Joint Stethoscope”: Seeing Inside Knees with a PhoneIn rheumatology, one of the most meaningful shifts in recent ye...
30/01/2026

The “Joint Stethoscope”: Seeing Inside Knees with a Phone
In rheumatology, one of the most meaningful shifts in recent years isn’t about larger scanners or more complex machines, it’s about portability.

Handheld point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) devices can now connect directly to smartphones. This allows clinicians to view joint structures in real time, right during the consultation.

For patients, the experience can feel a bit like using a “joint stethoscope.” Fluid within the joint, patterns of inflammation, or tendon movement can be visualised immediately at the bedside. This often makes conversations clearer and more collaborative, because both doctor and patient can look at the same information together.

POCUS does not replace full imaging such as MRI when detailed evaluation is needed. However, it can support earlier clinical decisions, reduce uncertainty, and provide useful context while you are still in the room.

If you’re curious about how bedside ultrasound fits into joint assessment and care planning, Aaria Rheumatology can walk you through what these tools can and cannot show, calmly and transparently.

Why a “Small Cold” Can Trigger a “Big Flare”Many people notice a frustrating pattern: a mild cold or flu settles, and su...
28/01/2026

Why a “Small Cold” Can Trigger a “Big Flare”
Many people notice a frustrating pattern: a mild cold or flu settles, and suddenly their joints feel worse. This isn’t weakness, and it isn’t “all in the head.”

One explanation is a recognized immune process called molecular mimicry. Some viruses carry protein fragments that resemble parts of our own joint or connective tissue.

When the immune system mounts a strong response to clear the infection, those defense signals can briefly spill over and activate existing autoimmune pathways. The result may be a temporary increase in pain, stiffness, or fatigue — even after the fever or cough has passed.

This does not mean every infection causes a flare, and it does not mean lasting damage is occurring. It helps explain why rest, pacing, and recovery matter after illness.

If this pattern feels familiar, Aaria Rheumatology supports calm, evidence-based conversations to help place immune flares in proper clinical context.

Laksa Flare Control – 3 Simple Ways to Take Care of YourselfLaksa is a beloved comfort dish, but its rich, spicy broth c...
26/01/2026

Laksa Flare Control – 3 Simple Ways to Take Care of Yourself
Laksa is a beloved comfort dish, but its rich, spicy broth can feel heavy for some people, especially when joints or digestion are more sensitive. This doesn’t mean you need to avoid it entirely. Small, thoughtful adjustments can help your body process it more comfortably.

Here are three simple ways to lighten the load:

1. Skim the red oil
Removing some of the surface oil helps reduce saturated fats and omega-6 fats, which can feel more intense for the system when consumed in larger amounts.

2. Add sprouts or greens
Adding vegetables increases fibre, which slows absorption and helps create a steadier post-meal response.

3. Choose clearer broth versions
These options often contain less coconut fat and tend to feel gentler overall.

If you’ve noticed that certain meals affect your comfort differently, paying attention to these patterns can be useful.

Aaria Rheumatology can help you understand how food choices interact with joint comfort and inflammation, calmly and clearly.

Gout Warning: Why “Fruit Sugar” Can Spike Uric AcidMany people are surprised to learn that sugar — especially fruit suga...
23/01/2026

Gout Warning: Why “Fruit Sugar” Can Spike Uric Acid
Many people are surprised to learn that sugar — especially fruit sugar (fructose) — can influence gout risk.

Fructose is processed differently from glucose in the liver. During its metabolism, it rapidly uses up cellular energy stores known as ATP. One of the downstream by-products of this process is uric acid.

This is why large amounts of sweetened beverages, concentrated fruit juices, or foods with added fructose can sometimes raise uric acid levels just as quickly as alcohol or certain meats.

This does not mean fruit is harmful or that an occasional juice will cause a flare. The concern lies with quantity and concentration — not with whole fruits eaten in moderation as part of everyday meals.

Understanding these metabolic pathways helps people with gout make calmer, more informed dietary choices without unnecessary restriction.

If gout patterns feel confusing, Aaria Rheumatology can help explain how nutrition and metabolism interact clearly and without alarm.

Why We Call It “Topping Up the Oil” (The Science of Gel Injections)Gel injections, often called hyaluronic acid (HA) inj...
22/01/2026

Why We Call It “Topping Up the Oil” (The Science of Gel Injections)
Gel injections, often called hyaluronic acid (HA) injections or viscosupplementation, are sometimes described as “topping up the oil” inside the knee. This analogy helps explain what is happening at a mechanical level.

In a healthy knee, joint fluid is thick and elastic. It cushions impact, allows smooth movement, and helps protect sensitive joint surfaces. With arthritis and ongoing inflammation, this fluid can lose its thickness and elasticity, becoming more watery. When that happens, movement may start to feel stiff, dry, or uncomfortable.

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring, gel-like molecule already present in joint fluid. When injected into the knee, it helps restore some of that lost viscosity. In simple terms, it improves the joint’s ability to absorb load and glide smoothly, much like replenishing lubrication in a mechanical system.

Unlike cortisone injections, which work mainly by reducing inflammation quickly, HA focuses on improving the joint environment. Its effects tend to build gradually over several weeks rather than immediately.

Gel injections are not a cure for arthritis, and they are not suitable for everyone. They are one option that may be considered when discomfort persists despite physiotherapy, activity modification, or simple pain relief measures.

If you’re trying to understand where gel injections fit within the wider landscape of knee care, Aaria Rheumatology can walk you through the science clearly and calmly.

The “Salty Diet” Trigger: Why Fast Food Inflames JointsMost people associate salt only with blood pressure. But sodium l...
21/01/2026

The “Salty Diet” Trigger: Why Fast Food Inflames Joints
Most people associate salt only with blood pressure. But sodium levels also influence how the immune system behaves.

Research has shown that when salt intake remains consistently high, a specific group of immune cells called Th17 cells becomes more active. These cells are known contributors to autoimmune and inflammatory pathways, which helps explain why some individuals notice increased joint sensitivity after periods of salty or highly processed eating.

This does not mean salt directly causes arthritis, and a single fast-food meal will not trigger a flare. Rather, it highlights how dietary patterns over time can quietly influence immune signaling.

A practical everyday takeaway is simple:
✨Small shifts toward lower-sodium meals can help keep inflammatory signals steadier, particularly for people living with sensitive joints or autoimmune conditions.
✨If you’re curious how everyday habits shape immune responses, Aaria Rheumatology can help you explore the science in a clear, non-urgent way.

Red, Swollen Joint? How the Polarised Light Test Brings ClarityA hot, red, swollen joint can look the same on the outsid...
20/01/2026

Red, Swollen Joint? How the Polarised Light Test Brings Clarity
A hot, red, swollen joint can look the same on the outside — whether it’s gout or pseudogout. But treating them correctly depends on knowing exactly which crystals are present.

Visual inspection alone isn’t enough.

That’s where joint aspiration and polarised light microscopy bring clarity. A small sample of joint fluid is examined under a specialised microscope that relies on physics, not assumptions.

Different crystals bend light in distinct ways:
Uric acid crystals show one pattern
Calcium-based crystals show another
This phenomenon, called birefringence, allows clinicians to distinguish gout from pseudogout with certainty, guiding the correct treatment pathway and avoiding unnecessary or ineffective medication.

The goal isn’t speed for its own sake. It’s accuracy, clarity, and confidence in decision-making.

At Aaria Rheumatology, diagnostic precision supports calm, evidence-based care, so patients aren’t left managing the consequences of uncertainty.

Address

6A Napier Road, Gleneagles Medical Centre, #09/11
Central Region
258499

Opening Hours

Monday 09:00 - 13:00
14:30 - 17:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 13:00
14:30 - 17:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 13:00
14:30 - 17:00
Thursday 09:00 - 13:00
14:30 - 17:00
Friday 09:00 - 13:00
14:30 - 17:00
Saturday 09:00 - 12:30

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