Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptom
In this article, the author has talk about her friend that suspected to have the symptom of rheumatoid arthritis. There are conversation between the author and her friend about her problem. After some discussion, the author has figure out that her friend may be affected by rheumatoid arthritis. The symptom of rheumatoid arthritis also has been figure out. So, for you that search the information of this symptom, i think this article was very nice because the way it wrote, very casual and relaxing.
By Jeff Foster
Did you know there are common symptoms for rheumatoid arthritis?
A friend of mine was complaining of how her morning stiffness had gotten worse over the last couple of months. I began to ask her if she was having any other problems. She started giving details of other ailments she was experiencing.
I asked her “Do you think you could possibly have rheumatoid arthritis?” Looking at me like I was from outer space!
She immediately responded with a look of shock.
We had a lively conversation as we began to try and figure out the common symptoms for rheumatoid arthritis. I explained to my friend that I had recently researched rheumatoid arthritis and had learned quite a few facts, particularly some of the common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
I explained that I had learned that rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints, tissues around the joints and organs in the body. An autoimmune disease is an illness which occurs when the body tissues are mistakenly attacked by its own immune system. Rheumatoid arthritis can cause joint destruction and functional disability. It is an extremely painful disease. It can strike children, teens and adults.
There are several common symptoms for rheumatoid arthritis.
The most common symptom is pain and stiffness of the joints. Normally first thing in the morning or after you have been resting is when the stiffness is more severe.
Another common symptom for rheumatoid arthritis is inflammation. This causes swelling in and around the joints.
Other common symptoms for rheumatoid arthritis are called extra-articular symptoms, or simply symptoms outside of the joints. These symptoms can include small nodules that develop over the elbow and forearms, anemia and tiredness, generally feeling poorly, weight loss, fever and muscle aches and pains. In a not so common symptom of rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation can develop in other parts of the body such as the heart, blood vessels, lungs or eyes.
After talking with my friend about the common symptoms for rheumatoid arthritis she looked a little concerned.
“What is the matter?” I asked.
She told me that she has had several of the symptoms that I mentioned. The afternoon wasn’t over yet before she did the right thing and made an appointment with her medical doctor to discuss the possibility of her having rheumatoid arthritis.
If you think you may have rheumatoid arthritis it is important to see you doctor as soon as possible.
Common symptoms for rheumatoid arthritis are easy to detect and it is the early and aggressive treatment of rheumatoid arthritis can help you live a full and active lifestyle.
For more important information on arthritis resources visit http://www.arthritis-life.com where you'll find information on arthritis topics such as arthritis symptoms, arthritis relief & more.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_Foster
Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptom
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Rheumatoid Arthritis - What Is It? (Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptom)
Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptom
In this article, it will discuss the basic of rheumatoid arthritis. It also tells about the rheumatoid arthritis symptom, causes and also who is at risk to get rheumatoid arthritis. There is a lot of question that will help you understand better such as "how is rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed?", "how is rheumatoid arthritis treated?" ,"does rheumatoid arthritis only affect joints?" and also advice for people who suffer rheumatoid arthritis. I hope this article will help you to prevent from this rheumatoid arthritis problem.
By Michael Russell
What is rheumatoid arthritis? Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammation of multiple joints in the body with predilection for smaller joints in the hands. Rheumatoid arthritis causes signs and symptoms of inflammation in joints that include pain, swelling, redness, warmth and loss of function i.e. stiffness and limitation in the motion and function of multiple joints. Although joints are the main structure affected by this condition, it can cause inflammation in other body parts too for example, the eyes, lungs, heart, blood vessels and kidneys.
Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are typically worst in the morning with gradual easing of symptoms throughout the day. This chronic worsening of symptoms in the morning, especially of stiffness in the joints, are important diagnostic clues in differentiating other forms of arthritis for example osteoarthritis and gouty arthritis.
Other symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are non-specific, which may include loss of appetite, chronic fatigue, weight loss, hair loss, low grade fevers and so on.
What are the causes of rheumatoid arthritis and who is at risk? Rheumatoid arthritis is categorized as autoimmune disease, in which the body produces an immunogenic response to some constituent of its own tissue, in this case, the joints. In other words the immune system loses its ability to recognize some tissue or system within the body as "self" and targets and attacks it as if it were foreign.
People who are at risks of having the disease include:
1. Those who have a family history of rheumatoid arthritis
2. Those who have other forms autoimmune disease i.e. autoimmune thyroiditis, vitiligo, type 1 diabetes, etc
3. Sex: typically affects women more than men in the ratio of 3:1
4. Age: the age of onset is usually between third and fourth decades of life
How is rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed? Clinical suspicion is the first step towards confirmation of the diagnosis. Once rheumatoid arthritis is suspected, a series of laboratory and radiological tests are performed and these include full blood examination, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, rheumatoid factors, autoimmune markers and x-rays. If these tests turn out positive, rheumatoid arthritis is very likely.
How is rheumatoid arthritis treated? Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis can be categorized as non-medical and medical treatments.
1. Non-medical treatments: these include physiotherapy with hot wax, joint exercises and assistive devices. More often than not, conservative treatment alone is inadequate, therefore, addition of chemotherapeutic agents is warranted.
2. Medical treatment: since rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease that mounts an inflammatory response towards self, the use of chemotherapeutic agents, which alter and dampen the immune response, is nonetheless, effective. These chemotherapeutic agents include steroids, methotrexate, sulfasalazine and plaquenil. Pain, that often is the dominant symptom in rheumatoid arthritis, can be managed by taking anti-inflammatory medications such as non-steroidals.
Does rheumatoid arthritis only affect joints? No. As a matter of fact, rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic autoimmune, inflammatory disease that has a predilection for joints. It can affect skin, brain, heart, lungs and other bodily systems.
What is your advice for people who suffer rheumatoid arthritis? It is paramount that people who suffer rheumatoid arthritis should remain active. Seeking advice with a physical and occupational therapist may help to decide what level and types of activities are appropriate. It is important to discuss your progress with your physician and health care providers, who can provide you with appropriate information and resources you need during your treatment.
Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Arthritis.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell
Michael Russell - EzineArticles Expert Author
Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptom
In this article, it will discuss the basic of rheumatoid arthritis. It also tells about the rheumatoid arthritis symptom, causes and also who is at risk to get rheumatoid arthritis. There is a lot of question that will help you understand better such as "how is rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed?", "how is rheumatoid arthritis treated?" ,"does rheumatoid arthritis only affect joints?" and also advice for people who suffer rheumatoid arthritis. I hope this article will help you to prevent from this rheumatoid arthritis problem.
By Michael Russell
What is rheumatoid arthritis? Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammation of multiple joints in the body with predilection for smaller joints in the hands. Rheumatoid arthritis causes signs and symptoms of inflammation in joints that include pain, swelling, redness, warmth and loss of function i.e. stiffness and limitation in the motion and function of multiple joints. Although joints are the main structure affected by this condition, it can cause inflammation in other body parts too for example, the eyes, lungs, heart, blood vessels and kidneys.
Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are typically worst in the morning with gradual easing of symptoms throughout the day. This chronic worsening of symptoms in the morning, especially of stiffness in the joints, are important diagnostic clues in differentiating other forms of arthritis for example osteoarthritis and gouty arthritis.
Other symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are non-specific, which may include loss of appetite, chronic fatigue, weight loss, hair loss, low grade fevers and so on.
What are the causes of rheumatoid arthritis and who is at risk? Rheumatoid arthritis is categorized as autoimmune disease, in which the body produces an immunogenic response to some constituent of its own tissue, in this case, the joints. In other words the immune system loses its ability to recognize some tissue or system within the body as "self" and targets and attacks it as if it were foreign.
People who are at risks of having the disease include:
1. Those who have a family history of rheumatoid arthritis
2. Those who have other forms autoimmune disease i.e. autoimmune thyroiditis, vitiligo, type 1 diabetes, etc
3. Sex: typically affects women more than men in the ratio of 3:1
4. Age: the age of onset is usually between third and fourth decades of life
How is rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed? Clinical suspicion is the first step towards confirmation of the diagnosis. Once rheumatoid arthritis is suspected, a series of laboratory and radiological tests are performed and these include full blood examination, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, rheumatoid factors, autoimmune markers and x-rays. If these tests turn out positive, rheumatoid arthritis is very likely.
How is rheumatoid arthritis treated? Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis can be categorized as non-medical and medical treatments.
1. Non-medical treatments: these include physiotherapy with hot wax, joint exercises and assistive devices. More often than not, conservative treatment alone is inadequate, therefore, addition of chemotherapeutic agents is warranted.
2. Medical treatment: since rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease that mounts an inflammatory response towards self, the use of chemotherapeutic agents, which alter and dampen the immune response, is nonetheless, effective. These chemotherapeutic agents include steroids, methotrexate, sulfasalazine and plaquenil. Pain, that often is the dominant symptom in rheumatoid arthritis, can be managed by taking anti-inflammatory medications such as non-steroidals.
Does rheumatoid arthritis only affect joints? No. As a matter of fact, rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic autoimmune, inflammatory disease that has a predilection for joints. It can affect skin, brain, heart, lungs and other bodily systems.
What is your advice for people who suffer rheumatoid arthritis? It is paramount that people who suffer rheumatoid arthritis should remain active. Seeking advice with a physical and occupational therapist may help to decide what level and types of activities are appropriate. It is important to discuss your progress with your physician and health care providers, who can provide you with appropriate information and resources you need during your treatment.
Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Arthritis.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell
Michael Russell - EzineArticles Expert Author
Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptom
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