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What is Rheumatoid Arthritis ?

Rheumatoid Arthritis - is a disease in which inflammation affects the joints, and sometimes other organs of the body, causing rheumatoid arthritis pain, heat, and swelling. Rheumatoid Arthritis can affect people of all ages, and most people with Rheumatoid Arthritis can continue to lead full and active lives as long as the condition is managed. Early treatment is vital to minimise potential damage to the bone and cartilage within the joint.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an auto-immune disease, which means that the patient's own immune system attacks their own body tissues, causing the symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis. That is, the person's own immune system turns against parts of the body that it is designed to protect, causing inflammation and damage to various body tissues. The reason why this occurs is unknown, although researchers have suggested that it may be related to a combination of genetic, environmental, and possibly various random factors.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms

The symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis differ greatly from person to person and from case to case. However, the symptoms generally include one or more of the following:

Sensitive, tender, warm, and swollen joints, particularly the hands, feet, shoulders and knees.
Persistent fatigue and a feeling of being "run down".

Joint stiffness which tends to be more noticeable in the mornings.

Generally, both sides of the body are affected, so both hands and or both feet are affected, rather than on just one side.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Risk Factors

The main risk factors for Rheumatoid Arthritis include:

Gender

In the majority of cases, Rheumatoid Arthritis develops between the ages of 25 and 50, but it can begin at any age. There is also a form of Rheumatoid Arthritis that affects children. The disease affects more women than men.

In most cases, there appears to be no family history of the condition, and no genetic link has yet been identified. Rheumatoid Arthritis occurs in all races and ethnic groups.

Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an immune disease where the body is somehow triggered to attack itself. There is no known cause but the outcome is the same.

Diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis

At the current time, there is no single test for Rheumatoid Arthritis, but a range of tests may be used. To obtain a diagnosis for Rheumatoid Arthritis a doctor may perform one or more of the following tests:

Physical examination
Medical history check
Blood tests

A fluid sample from the affected joint.

These tests will help to confirm a diagnosis, or help rule out other types of Arthritis.

The blood test can help determine if the rheumatoid factor is present in the blood. The rheumatoid factor is an antibody which is present in about 80% of people with Rheumatoid Arthritis. In addition, blood may also be used for a test called the etythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR], which can assess the level of inflammation in the body.

An X-ray is not necessary to make a diagnosis for Rheumatoid Arthritis, but it may help determine whether damage to the bones or cartilage has occurred.

Such damage is rare during the early stages of the disease, and can be greatly reduced in later stages under proper treatment and or regimes.

Complications / Issues

Like all forms of Arthritis, if left untreated, the sufferer may experience severe rheumatoid arthritis pain and discomfort, which will impact on all facets of their life.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment

Like other forms of arthritis, there is no cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis but many treatment options are available to relieve specific symptoms and minimize the damage caused by the condition. The most appropriate management and treatment options for Rheumatoid Arthritis depend on the individual's symptoms.

There is a lot that Rheumatoid Arthritis sufferer's can do to control the symptoms of the condition, manage the pain, and live a full life with the disease. Treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis usually include a combination of education, medication, exercise, and rest. The treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis is often a team effort between the person and several types of healthcare professionals.

As with all forms of arthritis, treatment will provide the best results if:

Sufferers make efforts to learn about and understand their condition.
Sufferers learn techniques to help manage their arthritis.
Sufferers should begin treatment as soon as possible to begin managing the condition, reduce pain and discomfort, minimise joint / bone deterioration, and help them maintain mobility.
Sufferers should consult their doctor or rheumatologist regularly so that they can keep up to date with new treatments and management techniques.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Prevention

There is no way to prevent the onset of this form of arthritis, however, the symptoms of the condition can be managed and treated to reduce pain, discomfort, and damage to joints and bones.

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