Juliet Cohen writes articles for Diseases. She also writes articles for Makeup and Hairstyles.
RA is the most common type of arthritis triggered by the immune system. Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory form of arthritis that causes joint pain and damage. It affecting more than two million people in the United States. Rheumatoid arthritis attacks the lining of your joints (synovium) causing swelling that can result in aching and throbbing and eventually deformity. Sometimes rheumatoid arthritis symptoms make even the simplest activities — such as opening a jar or taking a walk — difficult to manage. Rheumatoid arthritis is two to three times more common in women than in men and generally occurs between the ages of 40 and 60. But rheumatoid arthritis can also affect young children and older adults. It is commonly polyarticular; that is, it affects many joints.
About seventy-five percent of those affected are women, and 1–3% of women may develop rheumatoid arthritis is their lifetime. The disease most often begins between the fourth and sixth decades of life; however, RA can develop at any age. RA usually affects joints on both sides of the body equally. Wrists, fingers, knees, feet, and ankles are the most commonly affected.Rheumatoid arthritis is two to three times more common in women than in men and generally occurs between the ages of 40 and 60. But rheumatoid arthritis can also affect young children and older adults. Inflammation, soft tissue swelling, and the involvement of multiple joints are common signs and symptoms that distinguish rheumatoid and other inflammatory arthritis from non-inflammatory arthritis such as osteoarthritis.
The joints are usually affected initially asymmetrically and then in a symmetrical fashion as the disease progresses. The pain generally ameliorate with use of the affected joints, and there is usually stiffness of all joints in the morning that lasts over one hour. Treatments include medicine, lifestyle changes and surgery. These can slow or stop joint damage and reduce pain and swelling. To quickly reduce joint inflammation and symptoms, first-line treatment usually consists of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin and others), naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve), celecoxib (Celebrex) and many others. Regular exercise is important for maintaining joint mobility and making the joint muscles stronger. Swimming is especially good.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment and Prevention Tips
1. Swimming is especially good.
2. Regular exercise is important for maintaining joint mobility.
3. Surgeries can relieve joint pain, correct deformities, and modestly improve joint function.
4. Heat and cold applications are modalities that can ease symptoms before and after exercise.
5. Apply electrical stimulation to reduce pain and improve joint mobility.
6. Corticosteroids medications have been used to reduce inflammation in RA for more than 40 years.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
What You Need to Know about PCOS Syndrome
By: zoulkifl | 04/12/2009Bodily changes can be considered normal for as long as they make the body organs more efficient it their body functions. But when these changes bring with them pain and other abnormalities which can harm than do good, they are probably symptoms of a particular disease.
How Toner Can Affect Your Body and Health
By: Alex Weidmann | 04/12/2009Besides the fact that you should open a toner of course in no case "to the skin or mucous membranes to reach the harmful ingredients in the toner in the form of fine particles are generated during the printing process, into the bloodstream of humans.
Get The Look: Au Naturel Vs The Vamp
By: Neelima Reddy | 04/12/2009Makeup looks—on runways or on the street—are ever so dynamic, especially with every change in fashion seasons. But there are two looks that always seem to withstand any season or trend and are always a staple in fashion catwalks: the Au Naturel (no-makeup look) and the Vamp (smoky eyes and sexy pout).
24 Key Questions to Ask Your Doctor if you Had a Stroke
By: Ray Lengel | 04/12/2009The article provides an overview of stroke. It focuses on how to communicate with your doctor to improve your health care. This article provides 24 questions you MUST talk to your doctor about.
Breakthrough Tinnitus Treatment
By: Micah Elizabeth | 04/12/2009Don’t panic, Tinnitus itself is not a disease or a serious medical condition. Tinnitus is simply an indicator of something else that’s going on in the body. The symptoms of Tinnitus can be more severe for some, and not a big deal for others.
Air Purifiers for Asthma Attack Relief
By: Andrew Bicknell | 04/12/2009It’s no secret that indoor air is generally more polluted then the air in the great outdoors. Study after study has proven this to be true and those who suffer from respiratory problems such as asthma bear the brunt of this problem. Fortunately there are answers to this problem that all asthmatics can take advantage of.
Seven Key Questions to Ask Your Doctor if you Have Osteoporosis
By: Ray Lengel | 04/12/2009An overview of osteoporosis with a focus on how to improve the quality of your health care by providing 7 key questions all people with osteoporosis should talk to their doctor about.
17 Key Questions to Ask Your Doctor if you Have High Blood Pressure
By: Ray Lengel | 04/12/2009An overview of hypertension is presented. In addition, 17 questions that everyone with hypertension should speak to their doctor about. The goal of the article is to improve the quality of health care surrounding high blood pressure.
Detailed Information on Necrotizing Enterocolitis
By: Juliet Cohen | 18/10/2008 | Diseases & ConditionsNecrotizing enterocolitis is the death of intestinal tissue. The illness is most common among premature newborns. Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) occurs in approximately 25,000 babies per year.
Detailed Information on Measles
By: Juliet Cohen | 18/10/2008 | Alternative MedicineMeasles, also called rubeola, is a highly contagious. Measles is a fatal disease that impacts vulnerable children around the world. Measles is a contagious illness caused by a virus (paramyxovirus).
Detailed Information on Mastocytosis
By: Juliet Cohen | 18/10/2008 | Alternative MedicineMastocytosis is known as Urticaria Pigmentosa (UP). Mastocytosis is a disorder that may occur in both children and adults. Mastocytosis can arise in people of any age.
Detailed Information on Marfan Syndrome
By: Juliet Cohen | 18/10/2008 | Diseases & ConditionsMarfan syndrome is an inherited disorder that affects connective tissue the fibers that provide the framework and support for your body.
Detailed Information on Malaria
By: Juliet Cohen | 18/10/2008 | Alternative MedicineMalaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by a parasite, Plasmodium, which infects red blood cells. Infected mosquitoes spread it. People with malaria frequently experience fever, chills, and flu-like disease.
Detailed Information on Malakoplakia
By: Juliet Cohen | 18/10/2008 | Diseases & ConditionsMalakoplakia is a chronic granulomatous inflammatory disorder. Malakoplakia is inflammatory condition which makes its presence known as a papule, plaque or ulceration that generally affects the genitourinary tract.
Detailed Information on Maffucci Syndrome
By: Juliet Cohen | 18/10/2008 | Diseases & ConditionsMaffucci syndrome is a really rare disorder. Maffucci syndrome is a disorder which affects the skin and skeleton, causing benign cartilage tumors, bone deformities, and dark hemangiomas to grow
Detailed Information on Nelson Syndrome
By: Juliet Cohen | 18/10/2008 | Diseases & ConditionsNelson's syndrome is a rare condition. Nelson syndrome is a disorder characterized by abnormal hormone secretion, extension of the pituitary gland (hypophysis), and the development of big and invasive growths known as adenomas.