What is Rheumatoid Arthritis ?

Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptom

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis ?

Arthritis is the term for more than 100 rheumatoid and joint diseases, the most common of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

The word arthritis refers to the "joint inflammation" and rheumatoid arthritis is actually an attack on the immune system, where the system turns on itself and attacks the joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis causes joint pain and swelling, redness, heat, and can affect other organs of the body, such as skin, eyes, lungs, heart, blood, nerves or kidneys. Rheumatoid arthritis affects about 1% of the population, in which 75% of those diagnosed are women. The exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown, but scientists attribute the disease to a combination of genetic, hormonal and environmental factors. With rheumatoid arthritis, something seems to trigger the immune system to attack. This could happen after a sudden trauma or surgery, and the severity is not the same for all people. Some theories suggest that a virus or bacteria alter the immune system. Since the cause of rheumatoid arthritis is so different from osteoarthritis, the course of treatment and cure are also different.

Rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed by a positive Rh factor (a blood test) and x-rays that show rheumatoid deterioration in the joints. There are many different options for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, including medications, rest, exercise and surgery. The drugs fall into two categories specific NSAIDs and DMARDs, and try to pain, swelling and inflammation. Humira, one of the latest discoveries, experiments, the sick to isolate cells so that they can not reproduce and cause more damage.

In the past 10 years, alternative medicine has a predominant place in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Some of these non-prescription methods include:

• Ibuprofen

• Herbs such as cat's claw and white willow to reduce pain

• Glucosamine and chondriton are for the promotion of new cartilage growth

• warm baths in Epsom salts

• Application of menthol ointment to the affected joints

Rheumatoid arthritis is not to be taken lightly or ignored, so investigate the treatments and choose the best for yourself.

Learn more about arthritis and what you can do to treat it: go to Arthritis Relief and Prevention

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Herman

Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptom