Saturday, 28 August 2010

Rheumatoid Arthritis - Diagnosis and Symptoms

Arthritis is one of the leading causes of disability in the US. 20% of arthritis sufferers are unable to perform vital life activities such as working or housekeeping because of their condition. Arthritis sufferers endure more days in severe pain, experience more days with limited ability to perform daily activities, and have more difficulty performing personal-care routines than people without arthritis. As with other chronic pain conditions, arthritis can also have a negative effect on mental health. Some forms of arthritis also make your body age faster. Rheumatoid arthritis is the second most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis being the first.

The Definition of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis, known as Still's disease in children, is a condition that causes inflammation of joints and associated pain, swelling and stiffness. Rheumatoid arthritis causes the body's own immune system to attack joint tissue, breaking down collagen, cartilage, and sometimes bone or other organs. This chronic disease affects people differently and fluctuates over time, often marked by symptoms that improve only to re-emerge later. In some cases it is mild and lasts only a few months (this kind is known as type 1), while in others the disease becomes progressively complicated by disability and other health problems, lasting many years (this is known as type 2).

Rheumatoid arthritis most often affects the wrist and finger joints closest to the hand, but can also affect joints in the feet and throughout the body. Anyone can be affected by it, but women are more likely to develop symptoms. These most often begin between the ages of 20 and 30. The causes of rheumatoid arthritis are not yet understood, but many effective strategies have been developed to manage the symptoms.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms and Signs
The main symptom is joint stiffness in the morning, often in the hands or feet. Stiffness that persists for an hour or more, or swelling and pain that lasts for more than six weeks, may be indicative of rheumatoid arthritis. Joint discomfort is typically symmetrical, for example both hands will hurt or feel stiff, not just one. Early symptoms also may include fever, excessive tiredness, or pea-sized lumps called "nodules" that can be felt under the skin.

Other possible symptoms include anemia, appetite loss and the accumulation of fluid in the ankles or behind the knee. In children, symptoms may include shaking chills and a pink rash which may follow the characteristic painful and swollen joints.

If you think that you may have rheumatoid arthritis, see your doctor for a possible diagnosis and to discuss the best course of treatment.

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