Learning About Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis is a disease whose symptoms include chronic inflammation or swelling of the joints. In the long term, it can lead to joint damage, pain, stiffness and problems with mobility. Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic disease. That means that it may never go away. According to the Arthritis Foundation, it is also a systemic disease which means that Rheumatoid Arthritis can affect other systems or organs in your body. It is a very serious disease which needs early diagnosis and treatment in order to help you continue living as normally as possible.
No one knows the cause of rheumatoid arthritis, although most agree that it has to do with a dysfunction with the immune system which causes it to attack healthy tissue which then causes a degeneration of the joints as well as inflammation. There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, so doctors aim to help patients stall the disease as long as possible while reducing inflammation and controlling pain.
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.
It is fortunate that there isn’t a large amount of people who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. The disease seems to strike more women than men, and generally the first symptoms are notice between the ages of 30 to 50 years old. On rare occasions, rheumatoid arthritis can even strike young children, and again affects more girls than boys.
Each case of rheumatoid arthritis is treated individually, since each case presents different challenges. Patients are given a host of medications, ones that slows down the rate of joint degeneration, painkillers, and anti-inflammatory drugs. Since some of these drugs are steroid based the patient may also be given medication to improve the functioning of their immune systems. Doctors also may prescribe therapy to improve the functioning of the joints as well as relieve pain and swelling.
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.