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
Natural Remedies for Hemorrhoids
By: Monika Weny | 16/11/2009Technically speaking, hemorrhoids are abnormally large sacs of veins, tissue and mucous membranes found in the rectal region.
High Fiber Vegetables Can Ease Hemorrhoids
By: Monika Weny | 16/11/2009Every 4 out of 5 Americans suffer from the unbearable pain of hemorrhoids. If you are among this "lucky" group of people, you are probably always searching for that "miracle cure." There are many effective products on the market now that offer some relief to this uncomfortable affliction.
High Fiber Fruit For Hemorrhoid Relief and Prevention
By: Monika Weny | 16/11/2009If you are one of the 4 out of 5 hemorrhoid sufferers in the United States, you are probably constantly looking for methods that will provide relief to your ongoing discomfort. While there are many effective products available now to give you some measure of comfort, this is only a temporary fix.
Hemorrhoids Natural Treatment
By: Monika Weny | 16/11/2009Hemorrhoids, also known as piles, appear as a result of swollen veins in and around the anus and rectum. Hemorrhoids may appear as a result of pushing or straining during a bowel movement, heavy lifting, or pushing during child birth. They are a very common condition across all ages and stages of life and are most commonly treated with over the counter medications.
Surgical Procedure For Hemorrhoids
By: Monika Weny | 16/11/2009The choice for a surgical procedure hemorrhoids can depend on several factors. Internal hemorrhoids are treated differently from external ones.
How to Treat External Hemorrhoids
By: Monika Weny | 16/11/2009The worlds over millions of people are known to suffer form hemorrhoids or piles. Fortunately though, there are many treatment methods too that are available for treating the condition. External hemorrhoids are typically found around the opening of the anus and may be painful. They also make hygiene difficult. There are also cases in which a clot develops inside the hemorrhoid tissue, which is often the case after a period of constipation or diarrhea.
Simple Hemorrhoid Treatment And Pain Relief Techniques
By: Monika Weny | 16/11/2009Thousands around the world are known to suffer from hemorrhoid. Fortunately for all them there are many treatment options that are available these days. In fact in most of the cases a simple hemorrhoid treatment procedure is known to work wonders. A combination of proper diet along with medication is best way to go when it comes to treating hemorrhoid.
Best Natural Remedies for Hemorrhoids
By: Monika Weny | 16/11/2009Hemorrhoid is a painful condition where you develop cushions of tissues filled with blood vessels in or out of the anus. Though not life threatening it can cause a lot of discomfort and lack of confidence in the patients suffering from this health problem which is also known as piles.
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.