tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-275272312011-04-21T17:31:03.190-07:00Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13597470726109404938noreply@blogger.comBlogger11100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27527231.post-1146749924319613572006-05-04T06:38:00.000-07:002006-05-27T07:39:40.763-07:00What is rheumatoid arthritis and how do I know if I have it? What is the long-term prognosis for living with this disease?<br /><br />Rheumatoid arthritis is an immune system disease affecting people of all ages. Primarily it is diagnosed in middle age, but can affect children or the elderly. Women are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis than men. Rheumatoid arthritis causes chronic inflammation of the joints, specifically the synovium layers between the joints, but also may cause inflammation in other organs of the body.<br /><br />The cause of rheumatoid arthritis is not known. It is thought that environmental factors may play a role in people who already have a genetic predisposition for developing rheumatoid arthritis. Hormonal or bacterial factors may also be involved in triggering RA. Rheumatoid arthritis manifests with periods of flares and remissions. It usually affects symmetrical joints especially in the fingers, hands, and wrists. The disease varies greatly in individuals with some developing symptoms very quickly over a short period of time and others experience flares and remissions intermittently over several years.<br /><br />There is no known cure for rheumatoid arthritis but early detection and treatment can prevent or delay permanent damage to the joints. Combinations of treatments result in better control. Medications, plus proper exercise and sufficient rest, as well as joint protection and occasionally surgery produce an overall healthier result for sufferers of Rheumatoid arthritis.<br /><br />Rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed by an examination of tender or swollen joints, a blood test called the rheumatoid fact (RF), the presence of stiffness in the early morning or after a period of inactivity, bumps or nodules under the skin near joints, and sometimes an x-ray. Not all of these symptoms may be present and the RF test is positive in only 80 percent of people with rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore a combination of factors is needed to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis. Sufferers of RA may be mildly anemic and another test for inflammation called erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) may be elevated. Sometimes people with rheumatoid arthritis test positive on an antinuclear antibody (ANA) test.<br /><br />Because rheumatoid arthritis is an immune system disease anything that affects the immune system may trigger a flare. The medications used to treat rheumatoid arthritis affect the immune system as well. People suffering from rheumatoid arthritis need to be careful about exposure to contagious diseases especially if the medications in their treatment lower the immune system defenses of the body.<br /><br />Rheumatoid arthritis is a life-long disease. But with newer medications, proper exercise and rest, and protection of the joints when needed, people with rheumatoid arthritis can live long and productive lives.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/27527231-114674992431961357?l=rheumatoid--arthritis.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13597470726109404938noreply@blogger.com0