Author: Fernanda B.Sc, Pharm, M.H.

There are more than one hundred separate forms of arthritis and rheumatic diseases. In amongst the more widely acquainted conditions are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout and lupus. When I reflect on arthritis disease the particular form that stands out is one of the more debilitating forms of arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects about 1% of the entire nation of North America and happens three times as often in females than in males.  It can transpire at any age but usually the beginning age is between 50 and 60. This arthritis disease is a chronic, advancing state that causes the lining of your joints to become inflamed.

 
Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease which means that it affects the whole body. As this arthritis disease continues it can not only damage the tendons, ligaments, cartilage and bone in the joints but also other areas in your body such as your lungs and blood vessels.

 
Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease which means that the body’s immune system is not working as it should. The immune system doesn’t recognize it’s own tissue and reacts to it like foreign invaders. With this form of arthritis disease the immune system assails the joints and surrounding tissue causing long term damage.

Symptoms can come on very quickly or gradually and the arthritis disease has times when it is active and periods where you are not bothered. When the disease is engaged, symptoms you may notice are fatigue, lack of appetite, low grade fever, muscle and joint aches and stiffness. Muscle and joint stiffness are most often notable in the AM and after times of inactivity. In Rheumatoid arthritis joints are usually inflamed in a symmetrical pattern (both sides of the body affected). Joints in the hands and wrists are often attacked.

Make an appointment with your physician when you are experiencing some of the above symptoms.  He will do a physical examination and ask about your medical background and he will also request a blood test. The findings from the blood test will help the doctor determine which type of arthritis disease you have. Your physician may advise you to make an appointment with a rheumatologist which is a doctor that specializes in diagnosing and treating arthritic diseases. The two may work together to give you the best solution for your problem.

While you can’t get rid of your condition, you can learn a variety of coping mechanisms that leave you more active and in charge of your life.  You and your joints will stay on good terms.  Learn from for my next Blog on arthritis help.

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 23rd, 2009 at 5:48 pm and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.