Rheumatoid arthritis is a debilitating form of arthritis that can cause deformed, painful joints which can make it difficult to function normally. Usually the first signs of rheumatoid arthritis are warm or swollen joints accompanied by stiffness and pain. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease, meaning that it will never go away. However, with early detection and medication rheumatoid arthritis can be managed and controlled, and pain and stiffness can be minimized.
No one knows the cause of rheumatoid arthritis, although most agree that it has to do with a dysfunction with the immune system which causes it to attack healthy tissue which then causes a degeneration of the joints as well as inflammation. There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, so doctors aim to help patients stall the disease as long as possible while reducing inflammation and controlling pain.
Most people diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis first notice it in the joints of their hands and wrists, then later in larger joints of the body. It will equally affect both sides of the body. In more advanced cases of rheumatoid arthritis the tendons and bones are attacked, possibly leaving the person severely deformed and can make the joints unstable.
Rheumatoid arthritis does not affect a lot of people, but it does target women more than men. Over 70% of rheumatoid arthritis sufferers are women, and the disease generally begins to be noticed when the person is from 30 to 50 years old. Rheumatoid arthritis occasionally affects children as well, between the ages of 6 months and 16 years, and can be equally painful and debilitating.
Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis is custom tailored to each individual. Treatment takes into account the severity of the arthritis, current mobility, pain levels and swelling, your personal lifestyle and other factors. Treatments will be adjusted during the course of your disease to best preserve your lifestyle and mobility. Your treatment may include a combination of anti-inflammatory medications, pain killers, anti-rheumatic drugs, and immune system drugs. Treatment may also include physical and occupational therapy to help you preserve joint mobility. Surgical intervention may be needed when joint damage is severe.
No matter who you are, if you feel the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis such as warmth and inflammation in the joints in the hands, you should see your doctor immediately. Diagnosing and treating rheumatoid arthritis early will increase your chances of slowing down the disease and leading a normal, healthy life.
No one knows the cause of rheumatoid arthritis, although most agree that it has to do with a dysfunction with the immune system which causes it to attack healthy tissue which then causes a degeneration of the joints as well as inflammation. There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, so doctors aim to help patients stall the disease as long as possible while reducing inflammation and controlling pain.
Most people diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis first notice it in the joints of their hands and wrists, then later in larger joints of the body. It will equally affect both sides of the body. In more advanced cases of rheumatoid arthritis the tendons and bones are attacked, possibly leaving the person severely deformed and can make the joints unstable.
Rheumatoid arthritis does not affect a lot of people, but it does target women more than men. Over 70% of rheumatoid arthritis sufferers are women, and the disease generally begins to be noticed when the person is from 30 to 50 years old. Rheumatoid arthritis occasionally affects children as well, between the ages of 6 months and 16 years, and can be equally painful and debilitating.
Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis is custom tailored to each individual. Treatment takes into account the severity of the arthritis, current mobility, pain levels and swelling, your personal lifestyle and other factors. Treatments will be adjusted during the course of your disease to best preserve your lifestyle and mobility. Your treatment may include a combination of anti-inflammatory medications, pain killers, anti-rheumatic drugs, and immune system drugs. Treatment may also include physical and occupational therapy to help you preserve joint mobility. Surgical intervention may be needed when joint damage is severe.
No matter who you are, if you feel the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis such as warmth and inflammation in the joints in the hands, you should see your doctor immediately. Diagnosing and treating rheumatoid arthritis early will increase your chances of slowing down the disease and leading a normal, healthy life.
About the Author:
Bill Parker is an accomplished niche website developer and author. For more about Mesothelioma visit Lumbar Decompression for informative articles and discussions.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment