| Rheumatoid Arthritis : Is It A Debilitating Disease? | | | | which is actually an antibody that indicates the |
| Like other degenerative diseases, rheumatoid arthritis is | | | | presence of this debilitating disease. The association of |
| on the increase, in fact currently this disease affects | | | | the presence of this antibody and the typical |
| about one percent of the population of the United | | | | symptoms such as pain, inflammation of the joints and |
| states and the statistics show that this figure is | | | | movement limitation usually confirms the diagnosis. |
| growing fast. Therefore it is important that an | | | | X-ray of the affected joints is also used to further |
| understanding of what rheumatoid arthritis is and what | | | | confirm the existence of the disease. |
| the signs are become well known throughout society | | | | This is not a disease to trifle with it is important to get |
| so that sufferers can get an early diagnosis and | | | | an early diagnosis so that you can have it treated. |
| relevant lifestyle changes be implemented before the | | | | Rheumatoid arthritis cant progress fast attacking not |
| symptoms become to serious. | | | | only the joints but also the more vital organs in the |
| If you are unlucky and the doctor informs you that you | | | | body – such as (the lining of) the heart, lungs and |
| are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, the news can | | | | kidneys. This disease can also strike in the tear ducts |
| be quite devastating. However, understanding this | | | | and the salivary glands. Rheumatoid arthritis can occur |
| disease is one way that you could come to terms with | | | | at any time usually between the ages of 20 to the late |
| it, know what to expect when and work out a plan of | | | | 50’s and unfortunately when it strikes it is very |
| action to control it in the best manner you can. | | | | hard to get rid of. |
| What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis? | | | | So, if you get it, it is not the end of the world. there are |
| Unfortunately, the exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis | | | | medications, proper exercise and alternative |
| has not yet been identified; but it is known that when | | | | treatments all designed to make the disease more |
| this happens, the body's immune system suddenly | | | | manageable and your revised lifestyle pleasant. Yet |
| turns against itself destroying the tissues found in and | | | | another challenge on life’s journey. Use the power |
| around the joints. This is why the symptoms of | | | | of positive thinking, look at all the marvelous blessings |
| rheumatoid arthritis includes extreme pain at the joints | | | | you have and will experience and this disease is only |
| (this normally occurs in pairs, for example – both | | | | another event to be conquered. |
| elbows, both knees, etc). It is also thought that the | | | | Vigilance is required particularly in relation to your diet |
| sufferer’s genetics play an important role in the | | | | and exercise regimes as this is the foundation of good |
| development of this disease. (Research is currently | | | | health and a healthy immune system that will help to |
| underway in this area of interest) | | | | keep other common diseases at bay allowing your |
| The doctor’s diagnosis is done by identifying the | | | | body to cope with the stresses and strains of |
| ‘rheumatoid factor’ in the patient’s blood, | | | | rheumatoid arthritis. |