Rheumatoid Arthritis: Not Just An Old Person's Disease
30303
Disease & Illness
May 10, 2007
RHendersen
Rheumatoid Arthritis: Not Just An Old Person's Disease
When referring to arthritis, you generally bring to mind the normal aging process that results in joint damage and inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis, however, is a form of arthritis that can strike the old and young alike. The symptoms are more widespread than the common "old age" arthritis. Fortunately, there are many successful treatment options available for those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Some signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are similar to those of osteoarthritis while some symptoms are unique to the rheumatoid form. Like osteoarthritis, this arthritis affects the joints causing the cartilage, a rubbery substance whose main function is to protect the joints, to wear down. This results in joint pain and inflammation. Those suffering from this arthritis can also have a loss of appetite, extreme fatigue and low grade fever. Rheumatoid arthritis is also a progressive disease which means symptoms get worse the longer you have the disorder. In adults symptoms generally begin between the ages of 40 and 60. Juvenile arthritis is a special classification of the disease that affects children younger than 16. It is diagnosed by meeting certain criteria laid out by the American College of Rheumatology. These include morning stiffness lasting more than one hour, arthritis and swelling of three or more joints in a set of 14 specific joints/joint groups as well as arthritis of the hands. The arthritis is also symmetric, meaning if you have it in your left knee, you will have it in your right knee also. Nodules, or firm raised lumps, are also a symptom. Those suffering from it generally also have a rheumatoid factor at least in the 95th percentile as well as evidence of joint erosion. Unlike osteoarthritis, which is caused by the normal aging process, rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the body's immune system turns on the body. Researchers are unsure what causes the body's own immune system to mistake the body for a foreign substance. The immune system unleashes its attack on the joints, which results in inflammation and joint erosion. Thanks to today's medical advances, however, there are several successful treatments available for those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. These include disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARD's) which help stop the body's attack on itself. Methotrexate, which is one of the more widely used of this class of drugs because it not only controls joint pain and stiffness, but also helps to prevent bone damage. New injectable DMARD's, often referred to as biologics, can also help keep the disease from becoming worse. These medicines work by causing the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in the body to return to normal levels, thereby stopping or slowing the progression of rheumatoid arthritis. Unfortunately these injections are costly. Many patients are unable to afford them, and they are often not covered on most insurance plans. Rheumatoid arthritis is a debilitating condition that worsens the longer you have it. If you suspect you might suffer from this form of arthritis, there are specially trained doctors who can create a treatment plan to help with the pain and inflammation. Drugs can also be prescribed which will help keep it from getting worse. There is help for your condition.
For more information on arthritis, try visiting http://www.easyarthritistips.com a website that specializes in providing arthritis related tips, advice and resources to include information on rheumatoid arthritis.
send email to RHendersen
Write a Review
Add to My Favorite
Refer it to Friend
Report Article
Other links owned by this user
The rapidly growing sport of paintball like all other sports requires supplies in order to participate in game play. The paintball supply list that is needed for play basically falls into two categories - reusable and disposable. Having the right types of
Category:
It's called the silent killer for a reason. A heart attack can strike without warning, and leave behind a wave of chaos within the body that some people will never recover from. Fortunately, there are some signs people can look for to help them avoid this
Category:
Think disasters like fire or flood are the only things that can destroy your home? Think again. There may be an enemy growing in the dark, damp places in your house. This enemy may not only be harmful to your family, but may also threaten the life of your
Category:
If a loved one is experiencing symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, the family members will search for Alzheimer's disease information. They may have many questions: Is it really Alzheimer's? What kind of care do they need? What happens next? There are many p
Category:
For those who suffer with gluten allergy, or a wheat allergy, it can be hard to find foods that do not contain this product. Bread and bread products are generally off limits for these people. In addition, sufferers should read ingredient labels carefully
Category:
Waterless cooking was introduced in the 1920's as a healthier, more efficient and faster way to cook food without adding water. It was considered healthier because the alternative of cooking foods and vegetables in water will sap essential nutrients from
Category:
In order to determine what the best choice of swimming pool cover is for you, you need to examine your family's personal needs and preferences. You should also consider your budget as well. There are several options for both the type of cover and the way
Category:
Dealing with acne breakouts is bad enough for some people. Insult is added to injury, however, when the condition is brought into check, but scars are left behind. An unwanted and often very visible reminder, this scarring can leave people seeking out opt
Category:
Satellite receivers used to be large, clunky devices, that most homeowners had to give up their entire backyards to enjoy. Nowadays, however, satellite receivers have changed a lot. From their size to their reliability levels, these devices have come a lo
Category:
A brand new set of cast iron cookware presents a possibility for some of the best culinary creating in the world. Offering a down home taste and a simple way to create masterpieces in the kitchen, this type of cookware is amazingly versatile, but does req
Category:
It's not until you go out looking for a fireplace screen that you find out just how many options are available. There are big screens, small screens, brass, copper and iron screens. There are one piece screens, three piece screens and folding screens just
Category:
The main function of our lung is to exchange the gases between the air we breathe and our blood. It is not widely known that the two sides of our lung are not identical to each other. The right lung has three lobes, whereas the left lung has two lobes, an
Category:
An allergy treatment can be something as simple as avoiding the substance, or allergens, that you're allergic to. However, since many people are unable to control their environment to such a degree, choosing the right allergy treatment for your needs take
Category:
No one likes to deal with pain, no matter what causes it. Dealing with fleeting or chronic arthritis pain can be frustrating, annoying, and endless. Some people suffer from arthritis pain more in cold weather than warm, but such is not always the case. Ti
Category:
When many people hear the words, 'bipolar disease', they immediately think of people placed in straitjackets and carted off to the nearest asylum. Many of those very same people are unaware that bipolar disease is one of the most common mental illnesses i
Category:
If you never had the opportunity to attend university as a full-time student, you will be pleased to learn that you can obtain your bachelors degree through distance learning.
Category:
Many teenagers endure the agony that is acne with one thought in mind: Someday it will go away. While this is true for many, the reality is this condition can reappear later in life. For about a quarter of the male population and half the female, adult ac
Category:
The most common form of arthritis is known as osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the form of arthritis generally associated with growing older. This condition results from the natural aging process in which the cartilage, a rubbery substance that protects
Category:
When planning your garden and landscape design, there are a variety of landscape supplies you can take advantage of. With the numerous choices available, there are sure to be the perfect supplies to fit your style.
Category:
There is no one breed of horses that are called miniature-this is just a term that is used to describe a horse that meets certain height requirements. Most breeds are measured in hands-where one hand equals four inches. However, minis are measured in inch
Category:
Other links at Disease & Illness
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Although this is a very sacred time for most Muslims, a common complaint during fasting is bad breath or halitosis. In this article, we will discuss how we can prevent bad breath during the fasting perio
Category:
In today's fast and hectic life, our back gets neglected so much that we only care about it when it starts giving problems. Back ache is a very common problem that most people face. Being aware of the after effects of anti-inflammatory drugs and pain kill
Category:
Eczema can be a terrible skin disorder for many infants and it often creates a feeling of irritability in the child as well as the parents. It is a terrible condition of the skin that researchers...
Category:
Upper back pain can be painful even though this condition is rare. Find out how by keeping a proper posture can help you to prevent upper back pain.
Category:
The confusing and upsetting feelings of disorientation are extremely common in Alzheimer's disease and can cause patient's to forget who and where they are.
Category:
Site Sponsor
Directory Statistics
Articles: 68309
Categories: 501
Yahoo Entertainment
