A Disorder of the Rheumatoid Arthritis

General Description Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease in which joints become stiff and painful due to inflammation of the synovial membrane. RA most commonly begins between the ages of 30 and 60 and is three times more common in women than men. The condition sometimes runs in families. Treatment involves relieving inflammation and pain, and maximizing joint function and mobility by eliminating food sensitivities, taking pharmaceutical, homeopathic, or herbal medicines, and keeping environmental hazards to a minimum.

Disease Epidemiology and Types In Europe and North America, RA affects 0.5-1% of the population in total. However, RA is more common in Native Americans (over 5%) and less in African and Asian people. This suggest that there are genetic factors involved in the development of the RA Disease, and also in different types of race.

RA can also develop in young children in the ages of 9-16 years of ages it is not a full development of RA. ( I forgot what this is called but I do know it happens in children and teenagers.) Etiology And Pathogenesis FACTS: y Gender Women are two-to-three times more likely to develop RA. The exact cause for this is not known, but it may be related to hormone, oestrogen. Age RA can develop at any age but it is more common in older people. It is most likely to be diagnosed in people between 30 and 60 years of age. Family History RA is not a hereditary disease, however, there are certain genes that can make a person more susceptible to it. This means that people with close relatives that suffer RA are highly in risk of developing it themselves because they may have inherited the same genes. However , they are still more likely not to get the disease than to get it. Smoking People who smoke have a higher risk of developing RA than does who do not. Rheumatoid Arthritis doesnt only come by genetics but it also can be triggered by infections.

Affects of RA : Rheumatoid Arthritis affects the joints mostly small joints like the finger or the toes. However, it also affects the knees, and elbows. When RA is in the body it destroys its own healthy tissues which develops inflammation and deformation in the joints of the fingers and hands.

Prognosis People who have close relatives that have the RA disorder are mostly not sure if they have it as well. Only Doctors can tell you for sure that you have RA, the most common methods of diagnosis include an analysis of symptoms, your medical history, lab test, physical exam, x-rays, and a possible test for the rheumatoid factor.

Rheumatoid Factor is a test that detects an antibody that is found in 80% of people with RA.

Management The first signs of RA are tenderness, swelling, pain, stiffness, and a more limited range of notion are the more common side effects. RA effects any kind of joint. However , in addition, the effects can also include loss of energy, loss of appetite, dry eyes and mouth, low grade fevers, and rheumatoid nodules ( soft lumps around the arms). One big thing that indicates of RA is the morning stiffness that last for several hours to all day long.

There is only several test that will diagnose RA . Which it is the rheumatoid factor test.

There is no cure for Rheumatoid arthritis. However, there are lots of medicines that can help treat the symptoms of the disease and prevents it from getting out of control.

The most common medications that doctors give to patients are simple analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Simple analgesics are pain killers. They provide short - term pain relief and are used in conjunction with other rheumatoid arthritis drugs that have longer-lasting effects.

NSAIDs reduce pain, stiffness and inflammation. They work by inhibiting the action of an inflammatory enzyme called cyclo-oxygenase (COX). NSAIDs as an effect that weakens the stomach lining and also damages the bodys system. This medication is not suitable for people with heart disease.