| What
is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis (rue-ma-TOYD arth-write-tis) is a “complete
body” form of arthritis. Typically, it involves inflammation,
stiffness, swelling, and a limiting of movement of the joint linings.
It can also cause inflammation of internal organs. Rheumatoid arthritis
(RA) typically affects multiple joints at once. RA is generally
a chronic disease that continues to progress and cause pain and
suffering. Unfortunately, there is no known cure. It is the second
most common form of arthritis, just behind Osteoarthritis. If left
untreated, Rheumatoid Arthritis can and usually does lead to permanent
disability.
What are the symptoms?
Tenderness, swelling, pain, stiffness, a more limited range of
motion are the more common side effects. Stiffness is generally
at its peak early in the morning. The smaller and more distant joints
such as the hands and feet are generally the more intensely involved.
RA can effect any joint however. In addition, the systemic effects
can include loss of energy, loss of appetite, dry eyes and mouth
(Sjogren’s Syndrome), low grade fevers, rheumatoid nodules
(soft lumps around the arms). One of the biggest indicators of RA
is the morning stiffness that lasts for several hours to all day
long.
Who gets RA?
Millions of people currently have Rheumatoid Arthritis. As the
advancing Baby Boomer generation continues to age, the amount of
people with Rheumatoid Arthritis is only going to increase. The
majority of people with RA are women, but there are many men who
develop RA as well. It generally strikes the middle aged population,
but can develop as early as 20s – 30s.
What causes Rheumatoid Arthritis?
We do not completely know what ultimately causes RA, but we do
know that it appears to be an autoimmune style of disorder in which
parts of the body’s own immune system malfunctions and attacks
the joints and the body. There may be a genetic link.
What are some of the available treatments for RA?
While there is sadly no cure for Rhumatoid Arthritis, most therapies
for reducing symptoms are generally fairly to very effective at
easing pain and slowing the progression of the disease. Most treatments
center around preventing disability and loss of quality of life
as well as providing continual maintenance care to slow (in some
cases very significantly) the progression of the disease.
How is RA diagnosed?
Only your doctor can tell you for sure that you have RA, but the
most common methods of diagnosis include an analysis of symptoms,
your medical history, lab tests, a physical exam, x-rays, and possibly
a test for the rheumatoid factor. The rheumatoid factor is a test
that detects an antibody that is found in roughly 80% of people
with RA. Please be aware that there is currently no single test
that will tell you if you do in fact have Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Information obtained from the National Institutes of Health National
Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
booklet on rheumatoid arthritis. Their booklet is not copyrighted.
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