Rheumatoid Disease is a disease, which is very widespread in many developed countries. It is known to be an autoimmune disease. In a person suffering from an autoimmune disease, the body tissues are mistakenly attacked by their very own immune system.
Because it can affect multiple other organs of the body, rheumatoid arthritis is referred to as a systemic illness and is sometimes called rheumatoid disease.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) progresses in three stages.
The first stage is the swelling of the synovial lining, causing pain, warmth, stiffness, redness and swelling around the joint.
Second is the rapid division and growth of cells, or pannus, which causes the synovium to thicken.
In the third stage, the inflamed cells release enzymes that may digest bone and cartilage, often causing the involved joint to lose its shape and alignment, more pain, and loss of movement
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic illness, meaning it can last for years. However, patients may experience long periods without symptoms.
The stiffness seen in active RA is typically worst in the morning and May last anywhere from one to two hours to the entire day. It is the small joints in the hands and feet that are more affected than the others.
Other symptoms that can occur in RA include:
Joint pain
Joint swelling
Joint stiffness
Morning joint stiffness
Joint stiffness after inactivity
Joint tenderness
Warm joints
Ankle arthritis
Foot arthritis
Finger arthritis
Wrist arthritis
Symmetrical joint pattern – both sides of the body afflicted.
Morning stiffness
Weight loss
Fatigue
Decreased appetite
Occasional fever
Bouts of mild fever
Malaise
Episodic flares with remissions
Variable symptoms – different people experience different effects
Skin bumps (rheumatoid nodules) – about 25% of cases get these
Anemia
Neck pain
Dry eyes
Dry mouth
Tiredness
Afternoon fatigue
Afternoon malaise
It is very important you take care of yourself. If you happen to suffer from any of these symptons contact your doctor and take preventive measures.
[...] According to latest statistic report 1% of world population is affected by Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Even being one of the common but severe joint disorder, still there are many myths about rheumatoid arthritis prevalent among people. This article is an attempt to clear some of the most common myths about RA. [...]
November 8th, 2008 at 7:46 am
[...] According to latest statistic report 1% of world population is affected by Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Even being one of the common but severe joint disorder, still there are many myths about rheumatoid arthritis prevalent among people. This article is an attempt to clear some of the most common myths about RA. [...]