Thursday, December 8, 2011

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis

By Jenna Price


Rheumatoid Arthritis is a form of inflammatory arthritis and an autoimmune disease. In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system attacks the body's own tissue instead of attacking foreign cell such as viruses and bacteria. Because of this attack, fluid builds up in the joints causing pain and inflammation that can occur throughout the body.

Rheumatoid arthritis may impact many different joints and damage cartilage, muscles and ligaments - it can even put on away the finishes of your bones. One common outcome is combined deformity as well as disability. Over time, the irritation that characterizes RA can also affect numerous organs and internal systems. But it mainly assaults synovial joints in the hands, wrists, knees and ankles. In some people with rheumatoid arthritis, persistent inflammation results in the destruction of the cartilage material, bone, as well as ligaments, causing deformity of the joints. Damage to the important joints can occur earlier in the disease and be progressive. Moreover, studies have shown which the progressive harm to the joints doesn't necessarily correlate with the degree of pain, tightness, or swelling present in the important joints.

Inflammation in the joints causes the release of destructive enzymes from the inflammatory cells that have been attracted to the synovial tissue. The enzymes also collect in the fluid. These enzymes, which are usually part of the body's defense against bacteria, find the tissues in the joint to be grist for their destructive activity, and they also attack the cartilage covering the joint surfaces. This destruction can continue into the bone, and the joint can be so damaged as to render it incapable of normal function.

Rheumatoid arthritis is 2 to 3 times more prevalent in women compared to in men and usually occurs in between the ages of Forty and 60 but can additionally occur in any ages. Rheumatoid arthritis typically manifests with signs of inflammation, with the impacted joints becoming swollen, warm, painful as well as stiff, especially early in the morning on waking or following extented inactivity.

It can be difficult to determine whether disease symptoms are directly caused by the rheumatoid process itself, or even from negative effects of the medications popular to treat this. Increased tightness early in the morning is often a notable feature of the illness and usually lasts for more than an hour. These types of signs help distinguish rheumatoid through non-inflammatory problems of the important joints. Gentle movements may reduce symptoms in early stages of the illness. The disease frequently begins gradually, usually with just minor pain, stiffness, as well as fatigue. Additional symptoms include the subsequent:

*Joint Pain *Joint Swelling *Joint Soreness *Morning Stiffness that may last for an hour or more *Fatigue *Fever *Weight Loss *Red as well as Puffy Hands *Weakness *Loss of Appetite

It can be a disabling or painful condition, be responsible for substantial reduction of functioning as well as mobility if not adequately handled. Eventually, joint pain appears. When the joint is not used for a while, it can become warm, tender, as well as stiff. When the lining of the combined becomes swollen, it gives off more liquid and the combined becomes swollen. Joint pain is usually felt on each side of the body, and could affect the fingers, wrists, arms, shoulders, sides, knees, shins, toes, and neck. The synovitis of RA affects multiple sites causing prevalent pain, and the subsequent damage of the joints can result in severe disability impacting all aspects of engine function through walking to good movements of the hands.

Furthermore, RA is not simply a disease of the joints but can affect many other organs causing, for example, widespread vasculitis or severe lung fibrosis. More recently it has become apparent that RA is associated with an increased prevalence of coronary artery disease and significant increased risk of premature mortality. But this disease can be somehow treated but not completely cure.




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Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment Plans

By Jenna Price


Although there utes no known cure for rheumatoid arthritis, there is still a variety of treatment to alleviate symptoms and also to prevent the future destruction of the important joints with the resulting handicap if the disease is left unchecked. But RA treatment usually requires long term treatment. This treatment performs a very important part in RA disease since it prevents joints for further destruction. There is good evidence that early treatment as well as support can help to eliminate joint harm and limit the impact of rheumatoid arthritis. For those who have rheumatoid arthritis, you are suggested to see a rheumatology specialist. You actually should so you may be able to determine what medication or treatment you should consider because rheumatoid arthritis individuals experience this ailment differently. There are lots of treatments for rheumatoid arthritis and each has different objective. Some are utilized to relieve symptoms plus some are to assist slow the development of the condition. Rheumatoid arthritis treatment may involve surgical treatment, therapy and uses of medicines.

*Drugs Some drugs (and their side effects) that are utilized in medication with regard to rheumatoid arthritis treatments are the following:

*Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) -this is used to slow down disease progression. It helps control arthritis but do not cure the disease. DMARDs work to suppress the body's overactive immune system. It has an effect upon rheumatoid arthritis that is different and may be more delayed in onset than corticosteroids. It can substantially reduce the inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis, reduce or prevent joint damage, preserve joint structure and function, and enable RA patients to do their daily works. This drug take effect over weeks or months and are not designed to provide immediate relief of symptoms. Side effects may include liver damage, bone marrow suppression and severe lung infections but it still vary.

*Nonsteroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) -NSAIDs are used to relieve pain and reduce inflammation but it does not slow the progression of your RA. So people with moderate to severe RA require additional medications to prevent further joint damage. You should not take two NSAIDs at the same time. Side effects include gastrointestinal bleeding, fluid retention, and an increased risk of heart disease.

*Steroids (glucocorticoids) -It can also be used to decrease inflammation and pain as well as slow joint damage. It quickly enhances symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis such as discomfort and tightness, and also reduces joint swelling and tenderness at the least period of time. Side effects are weight gain, deteriorating diabetes, marketing of cataracts in the eyes, thinning of bones and an increased risk of infection.

*Immunosuppressant - It is used to tame the immune system which overreacts in rheumatoid arthritis. It can increase your susceptibility to infection.

*Tumor Necrosis Element (TNF)-alpha inhibitors - It is used to help reduce pain, morning stiffness, and tender or even swollen joints. It stops the progression of arthritis. Side effects include injection site discomfort, congestive heart failing, blood disorders, and lymphoma, demyelinating illnesses and increased risk of an infection.

*Biological Agents -- They are made to inhibit specific components of the immune system that play a critical role in irritation, a key component in rheumatoid arthritis. It is usually used whenever other medicines failed to stop the inflammation of the rheumatoid arthritis.

*Surgery - Surgery is usually done if other medications failed to prevent inflammation and joint damage. Surgery may help restore your ability to use your joint. It can also reduce pain and correct deformities. Surgery may include: *Total joint replacement (arthroplasty). *Tendon repair. *Removal of the joint lining (synovectomy) *Joint fusion (arthrodesis) Surgeries carry the risk of pain and bleeding.

*Therapy - Therapy could help you so that you can keep moving about and assist you to keep doing stuff you are used to perform every day.

*Physical Therapy It can relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and help preserve joint structure and function for patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

*Occupational Therapy Work therapists can help you find various ways to strategy everyday duties in order to take stress away your painful joints.

Early can will result to better results and can prevent rheumatoid arthritis from becoming severe.




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