| The cause is unknown for the auto-immune disease | | | | notall patients require an aggressive treatment. |
| characterized by the chronic inflammation of thejoints | | | | Medical Professionals: Common Treatments |
| and other parts of the body. Rheumatoid arthritis can | | | | For the most part, there are two main focuses |
| strike anyone at any age, deliveringwaves of disease | | | | pertaining to the treatment of rheumatoidarthritis. |
| flare-ups, followed by periods of remission. | | | | Reducing the inflammation and relieving the |
| Rheumatoid arthritis can strikenumerous joints at | | | | symptoms (namely the pain) top the listfor doctors |
| once that over time can cause permanent | | | | and patients. Doctors will most likely prescribe a |
| deterioration and deformity. There isno cure for | | | | medication, as well as suggest avariety of things a |
| these symptoms, which can increase in severity, but | | | | patient can concentrate on while at home. For more |
| with proper self-care andmedication, the disease can | | | | severe cases, surgery iselected, such as total joint |
| be somewhat managed. | | | | replacement. |
| Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms | | | | When patients exhibit a low potential for joint |
| Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are characterized | | | | damage, drugs such as Polaquenil, Azulfidine and |
| by lack of energy, loss of appetite, low-gradefever | | | | Minocin may be prescribed. These selections present |
| and stiffness, as well as aching throughout the | | | | the lowest number of side effects. When |
| muscles and joints. Stiffness often comeswhen a | | | | therheumatoid arthritis is moderate to severe, drugs |
| patient first wakes up in the morning, as well as after | | | | like Trexakk, Arava, Enbrel, Humira, Remicadeand |
| the disease has been inactive. | | | | Rheumatrex may be prescribed. Stronger, newer |
| During flare-ups of the disease, arthritis may run | | | | drugs, such as Orencia and Rituxan are given |
| rampant. This can be seen when the jointsbecome | | | | topatients who do not respond well to the above |
| swollen, painful and tender to the touch, as well as | | | | drugs. |
| red. This is often caused by abuildup and thickening | | | | Self Care: What Patients Can Do |
| of joint fluid during inflammation. | | | | The first line of defense against any disease is |
| Common body parts affected by rheumatoid arthritis | | | | equipping yourself with the weapon of knowledge. |
| include the small joints of the hands, wristsand feet. | | | | Learning all there is to know about your condition will |
| If the left side of your hand joints are inflamed, the | | | | better assist you in the treatment andunderstanding |
| right side will follow suit. | | | | of the changes your body will experience. Reliable |
| This is because the disease often follows a | | | | resources to draw from includehealth professionals, |
| symmetrical pattern, which means both sides of | | | | the Internet, books, as well as conversations with |
| thebody will be affected. These flare-ups can be so | | | | those already battlingthe disease. Make sure to look |
| debilitating that the simplest thing likeopening a door | | | | into all possible treatments, including their side effects. |
| will cause extreme pain. Joint deformity is a symptom | | | | Knowing the ups and downs of a disease will help |
| of the disease that iscaused by repeated bouts of | | | | you to prepare for the unknown. Familiarizeyourself |
| inflammation. These bouts cause the loss in cartilage, | | | | with the symptoms as they correspond to your own |
| weak bones andmuscles that leads to further | | | | body. If your joints ache for more thanone hour |
| destruction. | | | | after activity, you probably should limit this option to |
| Rheumatoid arthritis is also responsible for causing the | | | | avoid future pain. |
| drying out of eye and mouth glands,chest pains, a | | | | Rheumatoid arthritis also demands a certain level of |
| reduction in red blood cells and enlarging of the | | | | physical activity. This will help todecrease the amount |
| spleen, as well as increasedrisk of infection. | | | | of pain you experience from the disease. Water |
| Treatments | | | | aerobics, as well as otherstrengthening or cardio |
| Since there is no known cure for rheumatoid arthritis, | | | | exercises are suggested. Protection of the joints is |
| early detection is important when it comesto taking | | | | highly recommended. |
| advantage of all available treatments. Although | | | | This can be accomplished through avoiding activities |
| medical professionals provide variousmedications and | | | | and positions that cause stress to thejoints. |
| possible surgery, there is a wide range of | | | | Rheumatoid arthritis patients often pace themselves |
| responsibilities that fall on theshoulders of patients. | | | | throughout the day, meaning they alternatehow |
| This includes increasing their knowledge about | | | | much rest and movement their body receives. Try to |
| rheumatoid arthritis, aswell as practicing good joint | | | | keep joints moving and avoid staying inthe same |
| protection. Rest and proper exercise will also ease | | | | position for a long time as stiffness may develop. |
| the symptoms ofthe disease. | | | | Taking a healthier approach towardsyour lifestyle will |
| Early treatment for rheumatoid arthritis is important | | | | also ease the effects of rheumatoid arthritis. This |
| for the prevention of a worse state ofaffairs. Years | | | | includes losing weightand not smoking, as well as |
| ago, a large number of rheumatoid arthritis patients | | | | eating a balanced diet filled with fruits, vegetables, |
| were disabled within thefirst two to three years of | | | | protein,low-fat dairy, vitamin C and calcium. |
| the disease. It is a known fact that some people are | | | | All of these self-care measures can ease the |
| more susceptiblethan others to the joint damage and | | | | symptoms and make living with rheumatoid arthritis |
| disability associated with the disease. For this reason, | | | | amuch easier task. |