Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptom
As everyone may well know, rheumatoid arthritis is systemic and also chronic and an autoimmune inflammatory disease affecting the joints that can affect women irrespective of their age. And, in the case of rheumatoid arthritis and pregnancy, women will undergo an alteration in their immune state that can change into an autoimmune disease, and there have also been ameliorating effects of being pregnant on a woman with rheumatoid arthritis, which has been confirmed by some recent studies on the subject. Nevertheless, there are as many as seventy to eighty percent of such patients that will experience remission while they are pregnant, though one quarter of these patients will suffer from rheumatoid arthritis during pregnancy and in some cases, the disease may worsen thereby needing to be treated even when the patient is pregnant.
Temporary Improvements
Whatever improvements are felt in rheumatoid arthritis and pregnancy are generally of a temporary nature with patients soon relapsing during postpartum period, and why there is improvement in rheumatoid arthritis and pregnancy has yet to be fully discovered. However, theories have been put forward such as it could occur due to changes in hormones during pregnancy, effects of pregnancy on immunity that is mediated by cells and alteration to neutrophil function during a pregnancy.
If you look at the figures related to rheumatoid arthritis and pregnancy, you will find that though rheumatoid arthritis does affect only one to two percent women, rheumatoid arthritis and pregnancy is not as rare a condition as one might expect it to be and women who are at an age of reproduction are most likely to be affected. There have also been studies on the effects of rheumatoid arthritis on pregnancy, and it has been found that majority of women in the US having rheumatoid arthritis may be relatively unaffected by their pregnant condition and the maternal morbidity rates among women with rheumatoid arthritis and pregnancy are about the same as for those who have rheumatoid arthritis and are not pregnant.
Furthermore, there is no evidence to suggest that rheumatoid arthritis and pregnancy have any effect on fetal outcome, though there are some reported instances of premature birth and even reduction in growth due to rheumatoid arthritis, while other reports do not suggest any change in fetal outcomes at all.
Thus, it would be safe to assume that there are no real long term effects on a woman’s health condition as far as rheumatoid arthritis and pregnancy is concerned, and studies also point out there is no appreciable changes in the outcome of pregnancy in women suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.
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Thursday, December 6, 2007
Rheumatoid Arthritis And Pregnancy
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Rheumatoid Arthritis Causes
Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptom
Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease that can result in stiff joints that are deformed with loss of movement. This condition can affect anyone, any age, at any joint. What is the exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis? The question still remains unanswered. There are several identified causes; it may, therefore, be a combined action of various factors.
Rheumatoid arthritis is often called as an autoimmune disease. It is a disease where the anti-bodies, or the white blood cells, attack the tissue or the specialized cells that make the human body. The anti-bodies in the blood normally fight the entry of any body that is foreign. But the disease causes them to attack and damage the body’s own tissues by “mistake”. In fact, it is the rheumatoid factor in blood that directs the anti-bodies. When the rheumatoid content increases, it causes a malfunction in the immune system. But strangely, research has proven that not all cases of inflammation of the joint or rheumatoid arthritis arises from increased rheumatoid factor in blood. It has also been said that rheumatoid arthritis can be caused by some infection of the immune system (for example, virus) though there are no tested proofs.
Interestingly, rheumatoid arthritis seems to affect women more than men. Research is still ongoing to identify a correlation of female hormones and the cause of rheumatoid arthritis. It has also been found that even though the rheumatoid factors get reduced in the blood of a pregnant woman, she may still have rheumatoid arthritis after the birth of the baby.
Rheumatoid arthritis may be a genetic disorder, meaning that there is the presence of a defective gene in the genetic make up of a person. Some studies have also pointed out environmental factors such as extreme cold weather as leading to rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.
Although there may be numerous causes for rheumatoid arthritis, the symptoms are the same. That is, the person may have inflammation, stiffness, and tenderness of joints that reduce free movement. In a later stage, rheumatoid arthritis affects other organs too. The only way to reduce the chances of having rheumatoid arthritis is by proper exercise and a diet supplemented with vitamins and minerals to sustain healthy bones and a healthy body.
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Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptom
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Thursday, November 8, 2007
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptom
Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of inflammatory disease. Generally, it causes intense pain and loss of motion in the particular joint it chooses to attack. In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system plays a big part in the development of the disease. When a certain type of reaction triggers a rheumatoid arthritis attack, the result would be unbearable pain in and around the joints.
The Function Of Joints
A joint is the intersection of two human bones. The ends of these bones are covered with a smooth and durable substance called the cartilage. It is the cartilage that allows the bones to slide along each other without much friction. A cartilage is what functions as the device that cushions and absorbs the forces created during bone movements.
When a person suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, then a certain autoimmune defect would trigger an attack toward the healthy cells. And during such process, an enzyme is released to strike tissues. And the most common types of tissues attacked are the joints. Once this happens, the joints swell and become very painful.
Chronic
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease. Being such it would continue indefinitely and does not go away easily. And more often than not, flare-ups may even occur. It is also possible that rheumatoid arthritis affects all other organs present in the body. This makes it very critical for the disease to be diagnosed and treated in its early stages.
Rheumatoid arthritis can cause total disability. Even if this doesn't happen instantly, the mere fact that a patient may eventually lose his or her mobile functions should be enough to cause concern whenever the symptoms of this disease show.
The Most Commonly Affected Joints
The most common sign of rheumatoid arthritis would be swollen, tender, and stiff joints. The human body has a lot of joints. But the most common parts that rheumatoid arthritis hits are the hands, arms, leg, shoulders, and neck. Any pain that comes and goes felt around this area should be suitably consulted with a health expert.
People with rheumatoid arthritis also feel tired easily. A few minutes of physical exercise will cause them to catch their breath and require them to immediately rest their bodies. And sooner or later, even the simplest activity such as exercising, working, and doing their hobbies becomes rather difficult. People with rheumatoid arthritis prefer not to become physically active over time.
Most Susceptible Age Group
Rheumatoid arthritis is very common in people aged 20 to 45 years of age, although this disease could occur to a person regardless of his age. People who are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis can't do what a normal person does in terms of physical endeavors such as walking, running, swimming, and exercising. And because of this, the family and friends of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis becomes affected as well.
The diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis should be done by a rheumatologist. A rheumatologist is a type of doctor that specializes in arthritis and all other diseases of the muscles, bones, and joints. But more often than not, they are not the only people who can help patients when it comes to treatment and prevention of the disease. Nurses, physical therapists, orthopedic surgeons, occupations therapists, psychologists, and even social workers are able to help as well.
Diagnostic Methods
The difficulty in diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis in its early stages would be the fact that there is not a single test for this type of disease. The fact that its symptom may also differ from one patient to another is one more reason why it becomes hard for doctors to assume that the disease a patient suffers from is in fact, rheumatoid arthritis. The mere diagnosis of this disease requires a series of tests in the form or x-rays, blood tests, CRP, and SED rate.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptom
by Flor Serquina
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Rheumatoid Arthritis Signs and Symptoms - Know What to Look For
Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptom
Did you know?
- Rheumatoid arthritis affects 2.1 million Americans.
- Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease.
- Rheumatoid arthritis affects three times more women than men.
- Rheumatoid arthritis is more common for people aged between 25 and 50
- Rheumatoid arthritis starts with a sudden and severe attack of flu-like symptoms.
- Rheumatoid arthritis can affect any joint in your body.
- You do not have to live with the pain of rheumatoid arthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease caused by inflammation of the joints, often accompanied by malformations.
Since the rheumatoid arthritis to other organs of the body, it is sometimes known as a systemic disease. Rheumatoid arthritis is also known as rheumatoid disease.
There are three stages of rheumatoid arthritis:
-1st The swelling of the synovial (lubricating fluid around joints in the body) lining. This leads to pain, stiffness, redness and swelling around joints.
-2nd The rapid growth and division of cells. This means that the synovium (freely movable membrane in the joints in the body) to thicken.
-3rd The inflamed cells release enzymes that eat, bone and cartilage. This causes the joint to lose its shape and alignment, causing more pain and loss of movement.
The cause of rheumatoid arthritis is still unknown. Some people with rheumatoid arthritis have other family members with the same disease. Genetics is a probable cause of rheumatoid arthritis. Viruses, bacteria, fungi and infection suspected rheumatoid arthritis, but not yet scientifically proven.
The signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis
You want to know what the signs and symptoms are, you can be sure that you do not have the rheumatoid arthritis. No problem. The signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis vary from person to person, but here are some common signs and symptoms:
Aching in the joints
Anemia
Bone destruction
Cartilage destruction
Loss of appetite
Deformity of the joints
Dry Eye
Dry mouth
Fatigue
Flu-like symptoms
Hardened lumps
Loss of movement in the joints
Loss of strength in the muscles
Low grade fever
Malaise (general body weakness)
Pain in the joints
Stiffness in the joints
The stiffness in muscles
Swelling in the joints
You may have rheumatoid arthritis, if the following points to you:
1st Arthritis longer than 6 weeks.
2nd Joint erosions evident on X-rays.
3rd Morning stiffness in the joints.
4th Positive blood test for rheumatoid factor.
5th Presence of nodes under the skin.
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Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptom
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Thursday, October 25, 2007
The Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptom Overview (rheumatoid arthritis symptom)
rheumatoid arthritis symptom
Did you know that there are 100 types of Rheumatoid Arthritis? Here is a symptom overview.
The main symptom of rheumatoid arthritis is when you feel your joints are stiff when you wake up in the morning usually in the hands or feet. If you feel stiff in the affected areas for more than an hour or develop swelling and pain which lasts for longer than six weeks, it could be a symptom of rheumatoid arthritis. Usually, if the hands feel stiff so will the feet and vice versa.
Joint pain can also be an early sign of other diseases. Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis usually begin slowly over a period of weeks or months.
The joints will feel painful, swollen, tender and stiff. Other similar joints on either side of the body will feel similar pain as well for example, hands, wrists, elbows, feet, knees and neck.
Stiff joints can also be felt after sleeping or sitting for a long period of time and may last an hour up to several hours long.
Pea-sized bumps or lumps called rheumatoid nodules may develop in some people who have rheumatoid arthritis. These are usually formed around the elbows, knuckles, spine and lower leg bones where the pressure points in the body is.
The pain may also be aggravated by activity or movement of the joints, such as walking, getting up from a chair, typing, writing, holding or throwing an object and even turning a key.
Inflammation caused by joint stiffness may also occur and in severe cases, the affected joints may suffer from a loss of range of motion, lose its flexibility and even get deformed.
In addition to joint symptoms, rheumatoid arthritis can show signs throughout the body. These include:-
- Extreme fatigue where patients will feel excessively tired, lacking of energy, weak or a feeling of malaise.
- A loss of appetite.
- Weight loss; sometimes unexplained.
- Mild or low-grade fever which is usually not specific.
- Numb and tingling sensations felt in the hands.
- Anemia
- Fluid accumulating behind the knee or in the ankles.
- Crepitus also known as creaky or popping joints
Rheumatoid arthritis can also inflict children and their symptoms may include shaking chills and a pink rash may result from the usual stiff, painful and swollen joints.
There are more than 100 different types and diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and you could suffer from one or more of them. Do see a doctor to assess your medical history, having a physical check-up, taking x-rays and other specific laboratory tests to determine your exact diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.
For rheumatoid arthritis patients, there is hope though as there are real people who cured themselves of rheumatoid arthritis.
Find more important information on this site where you'll find information arthritis issues such as arthritis relief, and more.
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Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms that Can Challenge Your Lifestyle (rheumatoid arthritis symptom)
rheumatoid arthritis symptom
Identifying the common symptoms for rheumatoid arthritis is the first step in learning more about this disease.
Rheumatoid Arthritis is an auto immune disease, which is characterized by inflammation in the lining of the joints and only affects 1 to 2 percent of the population. This disease often begins with middle aged individuals and is more common in women than men; however, don’t be fooled... rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can also develop in children and young adults.
Early symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis can be difficult to assess, because the symptoms may go in and out of remission providing a challenge for your healthcare provider. Keeping a journal of symptoms may help your doctor to better diagnose the symptoms you are experiencing.
Symptoms for rheumatoid arthritis can differ from individual to individual, and there is no single test for diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis. The most common complaint heard by medical practitioners is the daily joint pain and the significant level of pain, both of which can adversely impact your quality of life and ability to take care of even the most basic daily tasks.
You may often experience significant stiffness in the morning, in and around the joints, lasting for more than thirty minutes, swelling in the wrists, knuckles, or the individual finger joints. You may also experience a feeling of warmth over the inflamed joints. Rheumatoid arthritis can affect many other joints, such as the jaw, elbows, shoulders, feet and ankles.
Rheumatoid arthritis occurs in a symmetrical pattern, for example if the right knee is affected, then the left knee will be affected also. Although it is quite common for an individual to be more inflamed and affected than another. Extreme fatigue, weight loss, fever, swollen, red and warm joints and an overall feeling of malaise are common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, however, the common goal is to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, stop or slow down joint damage and improve the ability to function on a daily basis. There are many exciting new advances in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
So there is simply no reason not to seek treatment. If you believe that you are experiencing some of the common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, then set up an appointment with your healthcare provider and discuss your symptoms. Early and aggressive treatment is the best plan of attack when attempting to get hold of this disease.
Learning more about the common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis is the most important step to take to learn more about this crippling disease. Cliché yes, but it is so true…knowledge is power!
rheumatoid arthritis symptomFind more important information on this site where you'll find information arthritis issues such as arthritis symptoms, arthritis relief, and more.
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