| Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease which | | | | tests for inflammatory markers, x-rays or bone scans |
| typically attacks the small joints of the body. These | | | | of the affected joints and a thorough clinical exam |
| include the fingers, wrists, elbows, ankles, and feet. In | | | | including specific assessments of all of the joints, |
| some more serious cases, it can attack internal organs | | | | whether they are sore or not at the time of the exam. |
| such as the heart and lungs. It is a serious, chronic, and | | | | Once Rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed, there are |
| debilitating disease which, if left untreated, can cause | | | | several treatment options. Most of the rheumatologists |
| significant deformity to the joints and severe disability. | | | | today tend to treat the disease at its onset with |
| Rheumatoid arthritis affects mostly woman, and | | | | aggressive treatments, regardless of the severity of |
| usually begins between the ages of 30 and 50. | | | | the disease. In the past, doctors would begin with more |
| Children and men can be affected as well, although | | | | of a 'wait and see' approach. They would give aspirin |
| women make up 70% of the cases. However, in men, | | | | or acetaminophen to help with the pain. However, it |
| its attacks are often more severe and less responsive | | | | has recently been shown that joint destruction can |
| to treatment. | | | | continue even without pain or swelling. |
| The symptoms of Rheumatoid arthritis are often | | | | While every treatment plan is unique, most doctors |
| confused for other diseases, and it can take several | | | | prescribe a NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory |
| years for a diagnosis to be made. No single blood test | | | | drug) such as ibuprofen, mobicox, or celebrex, along |
| gives the diagnosis. Rather, diagnosis is made after an | | | | with methotrexate to begin. If the swelling and pain is |
| overall assessment of indicators is completed by the | | | | especially severe, prednisone, a corticosteroid with |
| doctor, usually a rheumatologist. | | | | strong anti-inflammatory properties may be prescribed |
| Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms include flu-like | | | | for a short period. Long term treatment with |
| symptoms, including low grade fever, muscle aches, | | | | prednisone is often avoided due to its significant side |
| loss of appetite, and in some cases, sweating in the | | | | effects. Cases which remain unresponsive to |
| hands and feet. At this stage most sufferers dismiss | | | | conventional treatment sometimes require the newest |
| these as symptoms of a flu virus. However, within a | | | | arsenal in treatment: 'biologics.' Biologics inside cells in an |
| short time, in some cases overnight, one or more joints | | | | attempt to interrupt the inflammation process where it |
| will become swollen, red, painful and hot to the touch. | | | | begins. |
| Usually, RA attacks the joints symmetrically. That | | | | "Flares" or exacerbations of symptoms still occur for |
| means that if your right hand is affected, your left hand | | | | most RA sufferers from time to time. While |
| is also affected simultaneously. | | | | rheumatoid arthritis cannot be cured, the pain, swelling |
| Other symptoms of Rheumatoid arthritis include | | | | and associated symptoms can often be successfully |
| stiffness in some of the joints upon awakening, and | | | | managed. Lifestyle changes and medications are often |
| lasting for an hour or more. Prolonged sitting often | | | | enough to keep the symptoms under control. |
| aggravate the stiffness. Weight loss, depression and | | | | Arthritis research is ongoing, finding newer and better |
| extreme fatigue are also reported. | | | | ways to treat the disease, and patients have reason |
| Diagnosis of Rheumatoid arthritis usually requires blood | | | | to be optimistic for the possibility of a pain free future. |