Rheumatoid Arthritis
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.
While no one truly knows the cause of rheumatoid arthritis, most health practitioners agree that the main cause of rheumatoid arthritis has to do with an over-active immune system. When the immune system becomes over-active it starts to attack healthy tissue in the joints. Eventually it can erode all the joint tissue and begin to attack bones and tendons, which can result in severe pain and deformity of the joints.
Rheumatoid Arthritis usually starts affecting the smaller joints in the hands and wrists. As the disease progresses, larger joints are affected. It is a symmetrical disease. If a joint in the right hand is affected by Rheumatoid Arthritis, then the same joint on the left hand will be affected. As the disease progresses in the joint, the cartilage, tendons and even bone may be affected. This can cause permanent deformity and instability in the affected joint.
A small percentage of the population is affected by this disease. According to the Arthritis Foundation, about 70% of the victims of the disease are women who first experience symptoms between the ages of 30 to 50 years. Although not common, this disease can also occur in children affecting girls more often than boys.
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.
It is important to detect and start treating this disease in its early stages. Aggressive and early treatment can preserve your joints and minimize the impact of the disease. Today, there are many more treatment options available. Combinations of drugs can be used to help in the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis.
