| What is Rheumatoid Arthritis? | | | | The exact cause of rumatoid arthritis is unknown, but it |
| Rheumatoid arthritis is a vicious disease that affects | | | | is known that with this arthritis, a person's immune |
| the joints of the body. It has been known to cause | | | | system attacks his or her own body tissues. |
| pain, swelling, and stiffness. If a single knee or hand has | | | | Researchers are learning many things about why and |
| rumatoid arthritis, the other knee or hand will most likely | | | | how this happens. Things that may cause rumatoid |
| develop it. Rheumatoid arthritis often occurs in more | | | | arthritis are: |
| than a single joint and is capable of affecting any joint | | | | Genes (past on from parents): Researchers are |
| in the body. People diagnosed with rumatoid arthritis | | | | discovering that certain genes may play in the role in |
| often get feelings of sickness and fatigue and are | | | | the development of rheumatoid arthritis. |
| more prone to get fevers. | | | | Environment: Some scientists believe that something |
| The length of rumatoid arthritis varies from a month to | | | | must happen to trigger the disease process in people |
| two years. After it has run its course, it leaves without | | | | who have the genes that make them more likely to |
| leaving any damage . Many people experience times | | | | develop rumatoid arthritis. |
| when the symptoms worsen (flares), and times when | | | | Hormones: Other scientists and researchers believe a |
| they improve (remissions). Others have a severe form | | | | variety of other hormonal factors may also contribute |
| of rumatoid arthritis that can last anywhere from a | | | | to rumatoid arthritis. |
| few months to a lifetime. This form of the disease can | | | | Rheumtoid Arthritis Treatment: |
| cause serious permanent joint damage. | | | | There are many ways that doctors can treat rumatoid |
| Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis | | | | arthritis. The goals of treatment are to: |
| Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease that | | | | Reduce pain and swelling |
| causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function in | | | | Stop or slow down joint damage |
| the joints. Some very common side effects include: | | | | Help people feel better and stay active |
| Joints are swollen, tender and warm | | | | Treatment for rumatoid arthritis may involve: |
| Joint inflammation often occuring in the wrist and finger | | | | Changes in lifestyle: Make sure to keep a good |
| joints closest to the hand | | | | balance between exercise and rest, take care of your |
| Joint inflammation affecting other areas such as neck, | | | | joints, eliminate stress from you life, and eating a health, |
| shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, ankles and feet. | | | | well-balanced diet. |
| Fatigue, fevers and an overal feeling of unwellness | | | | Medicine: A majority of people suffering from rumatoid |
| Pain and stiffness in joints lasting for more than 30 | | | | arthritis take medicine for pain relief, to reduce swelling |
| minutes in the morning or after a long sleep | | | | and to prevent the disease from getting worse. |
| These symptoms can last for years! | | | | Surgery: Many types of surgeries are available to |
| What Causes Rheumatoid Arthritis? | | | | those with severe joint damage. |