| When referring to arthritis, you generally bring to mind | | | | as evidence of joint erosion. |
| the normal aging process that results in joint damage | | | | Unlike osteoarthritis, which is caused by the normal |
| and inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis, however, is a | | | | aging process, rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the |
| form of arthritis that can strike the old and young alike. | | | | body's immune system turns on the body. |
| The symptoms are more widespread than the | | | | Researchers are unsure what causes the body's own |
| common "old age" arthritis. Fortunately, there are many | | | | immune system to mistake the body for a foreign |
| successful treatment options available for those | | | | substance. The immune system unleashes its attack |
| suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. | | | | on the joints, which results in inflammation and joint |
| Some signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are | | | | erosion. |
| similar to those of osteoarthritis while some symptoms | | | | Thanks to today's medical advances, however, there |
| are unique to the rheumatoid form. Like osteoarthritis, | | | | are several successful treatments available for those |
| this arthritis affects the joints causing the cartilage, a | | | | suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. These include |
| rubbery substance whose main function is to protect | | | | disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARD's) |
| the joints, to wear down. | | | | which help stop the body's attack on itself. |
| This results in joint pain and inflammation. Those | | | | Methotrexate, which is one of the more widely used |
| suffering from this arthritis can also have a loss of | | | | of this class of drugs because it not only controls joint |
| appetite, extreme fatigue and low grade fever. | | | | pain and stiffness, but also helps to prevent bone |
| Rheumatoid arthritis is also a progressive disease | | | | damage. New injectable DMARD's, often referred to |
| which means symptoms get worse the longer you | | | | as biologics, can also help keep the disease from |
| have the disorder. In adults symptoms generally begin | | | | becoming worse. |
| between the ages of 40 and 60. Juvenile arthritis is a | | | | These medicines work by causing the tumor necrosis |
| special classification of the disease that affects | | | | factor (TNF) in the body to return to normal levels, |
| children younger than 16. | | | | thereby stopping or slowing the progression of |
| It is diagnosed by meeting certain criteria laid out by the | | | | rheumatoid arthritis. Unfortunately these injections are |
| American College of Rheumatology. These include | | | | costly. Many patients are unable to afford them, and |
| morning stiffness lasting more than one hour, arthritis | | | | they are often not covered on most insurance plans. |
| and swelling of three or more joints in a set of 14 | | | | Rheumatoid arthritis is a debilitating condition that |
| specific joints/joint groups as well as arthritis of the | | | | worsens the longer you have it. If you suspect you |
| hands. | | | | might suffer from this form of arthritis, there are |
| The arthritis is also symmetric, meaning if you have it in | | | | specially trained doctors who can create a treatment |
| your left knee, you will have it in your right knee also. | | | | plan to help with the pain and inflammation. Drugs can |
| Nodules, or firm raised lumps, are also a symptom. | | | | also be prescribed which will help keep it from getting |
| Those suffering from it generally also have a | | | | worse. There is help for your condition. |
| rheumatoid factor at least in the 95th percentile as well | | | | |