Rheumatoid arthritis

[Outspoken]

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITISRheumatoidarthritis (often called RA) is a chronic (long-standing) disease that damagesthe joints of the body.WhatIs Rheumatoid Arthritis?Rheumatoidarthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of thejoints. Autoimmune diseases are illnesses that occur when the body ismistakenly attacked by its own immune system. Rheumatoid arthritis can alsocause inflammation of the tissue around the joints, as well as in other organsin the body. Because it can affect multiple organs of the body, rheumatoidarthritis is referred to as a systemic illness and is sometimes calledrheumatoid disease. While rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic illness, meaning itcan last for years, patients may experience long periods without symptoms.Typically, however, rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive illness that has thepotential to cause joint destruction and functional disability.Rheumatoidarthritis affects approximately 1.3 million people in the United States, with womendeveloping the condition three times more often than men.WhoIs at Risk for Rheumatoid Arthritis?Rheumatoidarthritis is a common rheumatic disease, affecting approximately 1.3 millionpeople in the United States, according to current census data. The disease is threetimes more common in women as in men. It afflicts peopleof all races equally. The disease can begin at any age, but it most oftenstarts after age 40 and before 60. In some families, multiple members can beaffected, suggesting a genetic basis for the disorder.Juvenilerheumatoid arthritis (JRA) is arthritis that causes joint inflammation andstiffness for more than six weeks in a child 16 years of age or younger.WhatIs the Difference Between Normal, Healthy Joints and Arthritic Joints?Ajoint is where two bones meet to allow movement of body parts. Arthritis meansjoint inflammation. The joint inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis causesswelling, pain, stiffness, and redness in the joints. The inflammation ofrheumatoid disease can also occur in tissues around the joints, such as thetendons, ligaments, and muscles. In some patients with rheumatoid arthritis,chronic inflammation leads to the destruction of the cartilage, bone, andligaments, causing deformity of the joints. Damage to the joints can occurearly in the disease and progress as the individual ages.Thecause of rheumatoid arthritis is a very active area of worldwide research.Whatcauses rheumatoid arthritis?Thecause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown. Even though infectious agents such asviruses, bacteria, and fungi have long been suspected, none has been proven asthe cause. The cause of rheumatoid arthritis is a very active area of worldwideresearch. Some scientists believe that the tendency to develop rheumatoid arthritismay be genetically inherited. It is suspected that certain infections orfactors in the environment might trigger the immune system to attack the body'sown tissues in susceptible individuals, resulting in inflammation in variousorgans of the body including the joints. Environmental factors also seem toplay some role in causing rheumatoid arthritis. Recently, scientists havereported that smoking tobacco increases the risk of developing rheumatoidarthritis.Thesymptoms of rheumatoid arthritis come and go, depending on the degree of tissueinflammation.Remission,Relapse, and FlaresThesymptoms of rheumatoid arthritis come and go, depending on the degree of tissueinflammation. When body tissues are inflamed, the disease is active. Whentissue inflammation subsides, the disease is inactive (in remission).Remissions can occur spontaneously or with treatment and can last weeks,months, or years. During remissions, symptoms of the disease disappear andpatients generally feel well. When the disease becomes active again (relapse),symptoms return. The return of disease activity and symptoms is called a flare.The course of rheumatoid arthritis varies from patient to patient, and periodsof flares and remissions are typical.Rheumatoidarthritis symptoms can include fatigue, lack of appetite, low-grade fever,muscle and joint aches, and stiffness.What Are the Symptomsof Rheumatoid Arthritis?Whenthe disease is active, symptoms can include fatigue, lack of appetite,low-grade fever, muscle and joint aches, and stiffness. Muscle and jointstiffness are usually most notable in the morning and after periods ofinactivity. Arthritis is common during disease flares. Also during flares,joints frequently become red, swollen, painful, and tender. This occurs becausethe lining tissue of the joint (synovium) becomes inflamed, resulting in theproduction of excessive joint fluid (synovial fluid). The synovium alsothickens with inflammation (synovitis).WhatAre the Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis?Inrheumatoid arthritis, multiple joints are usually inflamed in a symmetricalpattern (both sides of the body affected). The small joints of both the handsand wrists are often involved. Simple tasks of daily living, such as turningdoor knobs and opening jars can become difficult during flares. The smalljoints of the feet are also commonly involved. Chronic inflammation can causedamage to body tissues, cartilage, and bone. This leads to a loss of cartilageand erosion and weakness of the bones as well as the muscles, resulting injoint deformity, destruction, and loss of function.Rheumatoidarthritis is a systemic disease and its inflammation can affect organs andareas of the body other than the joints.RheumatoidArthritis and Inflammation of OrgansSincerheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease, its inflammation can affect organsand areas of the body other than the joints. Examples of other areas that maybe affected include the following:Sjögren'ssyndrome is the result of inflammation of the glands of the eyes and mouth andcauses dryness of these areas.Rheumatoidinflammation of the lung lining (pleuritis) causes chest pain with deepbreathing or coughing.Tissueinflammation surrounding the heart, called pericarditis, can cause chest painthat typically changes in intensity when lying down or leaning forward.Rheumatoiddisease can reduce the number of red blood cells (anemia) and white bloodcells.Decreasedwhite cells can be associated with an enlarged spleen (Felty's syndrome) andcan increase the risk of infections.Firmlumps under the skin (rheumatoid nodules) can occur around the elbows andfingers where there is frequent pressure.Arare and serious complication is blood-vessel inflammation (vasculitis).Vasculitis can impair blood supply to tissues and lead to tissue death. This ismost often initially visible as tiny black areas around the nail beds or as legulcers.There is no known curefor rheumatoid arthritis; however, early medical intervention has been shown tobe important in improving outcomes.HowIs Rheumatoid Arthritis Treated?Thereis no known cure for rheumatoid arthritis. To date, the goal of treatment inrheumatoid arthritis is to reduce joint inflammation and pain, maximize jointfunction, and prevent joint destruction and deformity. Early medicalintervention has been shown to be important in improving outcomes. Aggressivemanagement can improve function, stop damage to joints as seen on X-rays, andprevent work disability. Optimal treatment for the disease involves a combinationof medications, rest, joint-strengthening exercises, joint protection, andpatient (and family) education. Treatment is customized according to manyfactors such as disease activity, types of joints involved, general health,age, and patient occupation. Treatment is most successful when there is closecooperation between the doctor, patient, and family members.Symptomaticpain relief can often be achieved with oral acetaminophen (Tylenol and others)or OTC topical preparations.Other Treatments forRheumatoid ArthritisThereis no special diet for rheumatoid arthritis. Fish oil may haveanti-inflammatory beneficial effects. Likewise, the benefits of cartilagepreparations remain unproven. Symptomatic pain relief can often be achievedwith oral acetaminophen (Tylenol and others) or over-the-counter topicalpreparations, which are rubbed into the skin.Theareas of the body, other than the joints, that are affected by rheumatoidinflammation are treated individually.Abalance of rest and exercise is important in treating rheumatoid arthritis.Why Are Rest and ExerciseImportant?Abalance of rest and exercise is important in treating rheumatoid arthritis.During flare-ups (worsening of joint inflammation), it is best to rest jointsthat are inflamed. When joint inflammation is decreased, guided exerciseprograms can be helpful to maintain flexibility of the joints and to strengthenthe muscles that surround the joints.Range-of-motionexercises should be done regularly to maintain joint mobility.Swimmingis particularly helpful because it allows exercise with minimal stress on thejoints.Physicaland occupational therapists are trained to provide specific exerciseinstructions and can offer splinting supports. For example, wrist and fingersplints can be helpful in reducing inflammation and maintaining jointalignment.Devices,such as canes, toilet seat raisers, and jar grippers can assist daily living.Heatand cold applications can ease symptoms before and after exercise.Surgerymay be an option to restore joint mobility and repair damaged joints. Inworst-case scenarios, total artificial joint replacement may be needed.Is Surgery an Option forRheumatoid Arthritis?Surgerymay be recommended to restore joint mobility or repair damaged joints. Doctorswho specialize in joint surgery are orthopedic surgeons. The types of jointsurgery range from arthroscopy (insertion of a tubelike instrument into thejoint to see and repair abnormal tissues) to partial and complete replacementof the joint. Total joint replacement is a surgical procedure whereby adestroyed joint is replaced with artificial materials. For example, the smalljoints of the hand can be replaced with plastic material. Large joints, such asthe hips or knees, are replaced with metals. OUR RANGE OF PRODUCTS THAT HELPS RHEUMATOID ARTHRITISPROBLEM1. FOREVER FREEDOMForeverFreedom is a unique formulation combining the complete range of nutrients onthe market today. Uniting the rich nutrients of aloe Vera gel with glucosamine,chondroitin and MSM, containing natural elements shown to maintain healthyjoint function and flexibility. 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