There are more than one hundred different forms of arthritis and rheumatic diseases. Among the more widely known conditions are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout and lupus. When I think of arthritis disease the one form that comes to mind is one of the more debilitating forms of arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects about 1% of the population of North America and occurs three times more often in females than in males.  It can occur at any age but typically the age of onset is between 50 and 60. This arthritis disease is a chronic progressive condition that causes the lining of your joints to become inflamed.

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

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease meaning that the body’s immune system is not functioning properly. The immune system does not recognize it’s own tissue and treats it like foreign invaders. With this form of arthritis disease the immune system attacks the joints and surrounding tissue causing long term damage.

Symptoms can come on very suddenly or gradually and the arthritis disease has periods when it is active and periods of remission. When the disease is active, symptoms may include fatigue, lack of appetite, low grade fever, muscle and joint aches and stiffness. Muscle and joint stiffness are usually most notable in the morning and after periods 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 affected.

See your physician if you are experiencing some of the above symptoms. He will do a physical examination while asking about your medical history and he will also request a blood test. The findings from the blood test will help the doctor determine which form of arthritis disease you have. Your doctor may send you to see a rheumatologist which is a doctor that specializes in diagnosing and treating arthritic diseases. The two may work together to give you the best treatment for your condition.

While you cannot cure your condition, you can adopt a variety of coping techniques that will leave you more active and in control of your life.  You and your joints can remain on good terms.  Learn more from my next blog on arthritis help.

Tags: arthritis, Arthritis Disease, autoimmune disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis

There are pain syndromes like fibromyalgia and arthritis-related disorders, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, that involve every part of the body. There are relatively mild forms of tendinitis (as in ‘tennis elbow’) and bursitis to crippling systemic forms, such as rheumatoid arthritis. There are forms of the disease, such as gout, which almost nobody connects with arthritis, and there are other conditions – like osteoarthritis, the misnamed ‘wear and tear’ arthritis – that a good many people think is the only form of the disease.

How do you know if you have arthritis? While symptoms and severity vary from person to person, the most common symptoms are: pain, swelling, stiffness, tenderness, redness and warmth. Osteoarthritis is characterized by progressive stiffness without swelling, chills or fever. Rheumatoid arthritis is the painful swelling, inflammation and stiffness in the fingers, arms, legs and wrists, which are prevalent on both sides of the body and are usually worse in the morning. Children with on-off fever, loss of appetite, weight loss and a blotchy rash on the arms and legs might have juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. You should call the doctor if symptoms appear suddenly, or if they are accompanied by a fever or rash.

The most common types of arthritis are: osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia and systemic lupus erythematosus. Osteoporosis primarily affects the elderly because it is a degenerative disease resulting from a gradual loss of cartilage. Consequently, both joints and bones in the hips, knees, as well as the spine rub together, which results in both pain and muscle/nerve damage. Rheumatoid arthritis primarily affects those between 25 and 55 years of age and is characterized by a burning, stiff sensation in the hands, knuckles, arms, legs and feet. A pain disorder which is widespread that almost never totally goes away and is thought to be a nervous system that is malfunctioning. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) sufferers have fevers, fatigue, myalgias, joint pains and malaise. Roughly 30% os the people who have SLE additionally show lesions of the skin and 10% also are afflicted with seizures of psychosis. While symptoms range from on-off pain to severe degenerative disease, this isn’t something that should just be “suffered through.”

Local community news is usually filled with “Walks For Arthritis,” encouraging citizens to educate themselves about this common pain condition and raise money for those who suffer. There are times when the best method to overcome this disease is to talk with others who have it and combine your experiences and knowledge. In support groups, you can hear about treatments that work or don’t work. Because arthritis is such a well known topic at this point in time, a lot of new research is coming out in regards to likely treatment.

To learn more go to Arthritis Care and at Home Remedies For Arthritis

Tags: arthritis, Arthritis Symptoms