Rheumatoid Arthritis: Signs, Symptoms, And Common Coping Mechanisms

<h1>Rheumatoid Arthritis: Signs, Symptoms, And Common Coping Mechanisms</h1>Author: <a title="Gregg- Camp" href="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors/gregg--camp/118016.htm">Gregg- Camp</a> Rheumatoid arthritis is a slowly progressive disease that there is no cure for. The disease attacks your joints causing pain and swelling. Even though there is no cure at this time there are several medications that are offering increased effectiveness at fighting the progression of the disease process. Although none of them can reverse the effects, they do reduce the symptoms and force the disease to slow down. The normal signs and symptoms of RA are: Stiffness :: Especially in the morning. People with RA may take several hours to feel as if their joints are loose enough to function properly. Swelling :: Fluid fills your joints causing the stiffness to be worse. Pain :: The swelling in the joints makes them tender and sensitive to touch and movement. Redness and Warmth :: The joints become red and warm to the touch when they are swollen. These are the symptoms that are in your joints. RA can affect your whole body by causing fatigue, a general malaise (feeling ill), loss of appetite, and muscle aches. It is hard to live with many of these symptoms. Occasionally, in the early stages, RA is misdiagnosed as fibromyalgia or vice versa. The swelling and pain will begin to interfere with your daily life in your Capitola home, and the work that you do. There are some common coping mechanisms people use to deal with all of this. Usually the first thing that people do is slow down at work. You may type fewer words per minute, take more breaks from the work that causes the pain. Not real breaks, but short time-outs where you rub your hands or the affected joint. If it is your knees, you will begin to walk more slowly and stiffly, taking great amounts of time to climb and descend stairs. Next, you will find yourself avoiding activities that cause you pain: knitting, sewing, and golf. The fun things in life that brought you joy for years are now too painful to deal with. Finally, you decide to see your doctor. You know it has to be arthritis, but what kind and what treatments are there? The first thing your doctor will tell you is that he is going to recommend medication and physical therapy. You will want to get active again and stay as active as possible. Swimming near your Capitola home is a great way to do that as the ocean is close by. Swimming is a low impact exercise that will strengthen the muscles and tendons that are key to the movement of your joints. It will also help to strengthen the abdominal muscles and that helps your back pain, too. Many Capitola homes have pools, which are a great place to exercise in a low impact manner. There are lots of signs and symptoms for RA. Only a doctor close to your Capitola home can correctly diagnose what is wrong with you. Once you have been diagnosed with RA there are several treatment options. They include medication, surgery, and physical therapy. The medication and therapy may prevent the surgery option. Living with RA does not have to be a set of coping mechanisms; you can remain active long after retirement.About the Author: Gregg Camp, the author, sells <a href="http://www.propertyinsantacruz.com/Capitola-CA-Real-Estate.php">Capitola homes</a> as well as writes on <a href="http://www.propertyinsantacruz.com/Seniors-in-Santa-Cruz-County.php">senior topics as an SRES</a>. He enjoys selling Capitola Beach homes as well as <a href="http://www.aptosbeachhomes.com/">Aptos Beach homes</a>.Article Source: <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/">ArticlesBase.com</a> - <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/rheumatoid-arthritis-signs-symptoms-and-common-coping-mechanisms-1109509.html" title="Rheumatoid Arthritis: Signs, Symptoms, And Common Coping Mechanisms">Rheumatoid Arthritis: Signs, Symptoms, And Common Coping Mechanisms</a>

Rheumatoid arthritis is a slowly progressive disease that there is no cure for. The disease attacks your joints causing pain and swelling. Even though there is no cure at this time there are several medications that are offering increased effectiveness at fighting the progression of the disease process. Although none of them can reverse the effects, they do reduce the symptoms and force the disease to slow down.

The normal signs and symptoms of RA are:

Stiffness :: Especially in the morning. People with RA may take several hours to feel as if their joints are loose enough to function properly.

Swelling :: Fluid fills your joints causing the stiffness to be worse.

Pain :: The swelling in the joints makes them tender and sensitive to touch and movement.

Redness and Warmth :: The joints become red and warm to the touch when they are swollen.

These are the symptoms that are in your joints. RA can affect your whole body by causing fatigue, a general malaise (feeling ill), loss of appetite, and muscle aches. It is hard to live with many of these symptoms. Occasionally, in the early stages, RA is misdiagnosed as fibromyalgia or vice versa. The swelling and pain will begin to interfere with your daily life in your Capitola home, and the work that you do. There are some common coping mechanisms people use to deal with all of this.

Usually the first thing that people do is slow down at work. You may type fewer words per minute, take more breaks from the work that causes the pain. Not real breaks, but short time-outs where you rub your hands or the affected joint. If it is your knees, you will begin to walk more slowly and stiffly, taking great amounts of time to climb and descend stairs.

Next, you will find yourself avoiding activities that cause you pain: knitting, sewing, and golf. The fun things in life that brought you joy for years are now too painful to deal with. Finally, you decide to see your doctor. You know it has to be arthritis, but what kind and what treatments are there?

The first thing your doctor will tell you is that he is going to recommend medication and physical therapy. You will want to get active again and stay as active as possible. Swimming near your Capitola home is a great way to do that as the ocean is close by. Swimming is a low impact exercise that will strengthen the muscles and tendons that are key to the movement of your joints. It will also help to strengthen the abdominal muscles and that helps your back pain, too. Many Capitola homes have pools, which are a great place to exercise in a low impact manner.

There are lots of signs and symptoms for RA. Only a doctor close to your Capitola home can correctly diagnose what is wrong with you. Once you have been diagnosed with RA there are several treatment options. They include medication, surgery, and physical therapy. The medication and therapy may prevent the surgery option. Living with RA does not have to be a set of coping mechanisms; you can remain active long after retirement.

Gregg Camp, the author, sells Capitola homes as well as writes on senior topics as an SRES. He enjoys selling Capitola Beach homes as well as Aptos Beach homes.

Rate this Article:

0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s)

Re-Publish

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/rheumatoid-arthritis-signs-symptoms-and-common-coping-mechanisms-1109509.html

Related Videos
Related Articles
Ask / Related Q&A

Play

How Do Omega-3s Help Rheumatoid Arthritis

Play

Abatacept For Rheumatoid Arthritis

Play

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis

Play

Natural Medicine for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Play

Alternative Medicine Reverses Rheumatoid Arthritis

Latest Diseases and Conditions Articles
More from Gregg- Camp

Why take Milk Thistle for Liver Damage?

By: Laurel Levine | 05/01/2010
What if I told you there have been many scientific studies concerning the benefits of milk thistle for liver damage? Recently, researchers have looked at the benefits for patients suffering from colorectal cancer, as well. Researchers in Queensland call the active component a “promising new treatment for cancer”.

Five Remedy Options You Can Do At Home

By: Mark Ferrer | 05/01/2010
Over-the-counter pharmaceutical cures for hemorrhoids too often don’t produce the results they promise. This can increase the frustration of many sufferers looking for a quick and easy relief from the condition. While hemorrhoids can go away in a couple of weeks or so, improving the healing process through a natural hemorrhoid treatment is oftentimes the best regimen option. These here are some of the most popular examples online for you to consider. Trying them out doesn’t hurt but you must rem

Common Vaginal Yeast Infection Symptoms

By: Martha G Brown | 05/01/2010
Vaginal yeast infection is also referred to as candidiasis. It is a fungal infection brought about by a number of species of Candida, of which Candida Albicans is the most common type. This fungus is usually present on normal human skin and in areas that are generally warm and moist. Under certain conditions, a change in their environment causes them to increase in quantity beyond normal, causing infection.

After Hemorrhoid Treatment, Prevention Always Comes Next

By: Mark Ferrer | 05/01/2010
Using a trusted hemorrhoid treatment is the most effective way of curing hemorrhoids. Although the condition often goes away on its own, you must still consider using a treatment to help the body’s healing process. But once you got rid of the hemorrhoids, you mustn’t forget to increase your body’s resistance to the condition. Be sure to practice efficient preventive measures to avoid reoccurrences.

Four Markers of a Good Hemorrhoid Treatment

By: Mark Ferrer | 05/01/2010
Hemorrhoid is a fairly common condition affecting mostly adults and pregnant women. Because of its relative prevalence, more and more remedies and preventive measures are introduced, claiming superiority over each other. While there are certainly a number of cures for the condition, choosing the best one is the key to successful remedy. And to help you do just that, here are some things that an excellent hemorrhoid treatment must have.

Correct Diagnosis Will Lead to the Right Hemorrhoid Treatment

By: Mark Ferrer | 05/01/2010
There is a hemorrhoid treatment fitting for each kind of hemorrhoid. Internet and external hemorrhoids are immensely different from each other, including their exacerbations. Many sufferers oftentimes diagnose themselves when they feel something on their rectal area or if there is blood on their stool. This frequently leads to misdiagnosis of something either less threatening or more serious. This is why it is critically important to know first if there is an actual presence of hemorrhoids befor

Hemorrhoid Treatment – More Than Just a Cure, Preventive Measure

By: Mark Ferrer | 05/01/2010
There are plenty of reasons why hemorrhoid is one of the most frustrating conditions that can affect virtually anyone. For starters, it is painful and offers immense discomfort. There is also the risk of bleeding, which could definitely happen with a prolapsed hemorrhoid. Yet even though this condition is terribly exasperating, the right hemorrhoid treatment can provide a long-lasting cure and even prevent it from coming back.

Finally A Simple Cure For Joint Pain - Learn How to Get Rid of Gout Fast

By: Hunter Elliott | 05/01/2010
Joint pain is something that thousands of people have to live with on a regular basis. But there are many things that you can do which will help.

What Makes a Home Eco-Friendly?

By: Gregg- Camp | 13/08/2009 | Home & Family
What comes to mind when you hear the term "Eco-friendly homes"? Energy efficiency is something that people most often equate with this term and that is certainly an important part of Eco-friendly homes, but there is more to being Eco-friendly than just saving energy, a whole lot more. True Eco-friendly homes should be created from materials that are either recycled or at least are not made from fossil fuels.

Two Exercises that Offer Pain Relief for Arthritis

By: Gregg- Camp | 13/08/2009 | Diseases & Conditions
Arthritis sufferers look for pain relief where ever they can find it. There are two exercises that can offer pain relief and the benefits of muscle strengthening to any age group. Tai Chi for arthritis and Swimming for arthritis. Both are low impact, low stress exercises and can be done in your Santa Cruz home.

The Use of Natural Light in Your Home: A Great Alternative to Electricity

By: Gregg- Camp | 13/08/2009 | Home Improvement
There are quite a number of reasons why more and more houses are making use of natural lighting. First, students learn more quickly when studying with natural light. Second, natural light enhances the overall health of plants, animals, and your family, since sunlight can provide a source of vitamins A and D. These are just a few examples of those great alternatives to electricity.

Stem Cells - How They Can Affect Your Life

By: Gregg- Camp | 13/08/2009 | Medicine
I did a short piece on adult stem cell research and how it helped with a windpipe transplant. After some thought, it occurred to me that most people do not understand how stem cells work in the body and what part they can play in future medicine, especially for senior citizens and those with disabilities. I thought I would do a little more in-depth writing. It is going to take a couple of posts to get through it, but here goes

Helpful Tips for Seniors Who Are Moving

By: Gregg- Camp | 13/08/2009 | Elderly Care
As you have aged you have discovered that you cannot lift the same amount of weight nor can you stoop over as many times. Moving requires both and then some. I look forward to a move nearly as much as having an extra hole drilled into my head. Many senior have found that there is a new, and growing, group of movers that specialize in moving seniors (they are called senior moving managers).

Geothermal Heat Pumps: A Viable Option for Your Home

By: Gregg- Camp | 09/08/2009 | Home Improvement
There are number of options for how you heat and cool your home. Geothermal heat pumps, although relatively unknown to the common market, could be a great option for you. It relies on the stable, heat of the earth to provide the heating, air conditioning, and even hot water. It moves heat from the earth into your house during the winter, and in the summer they pull heat from the inside and discharge it into the ground.

Five Ways Kids Can Help the Environment

By: Gregg- Camp | 09/08/2009 | Home & Family
As a kid, it might seem like you're too young, too small, or the problem is too big for you to help the environment. There are a number of things that a young person can do to help preserve and protect the world.

Exploring the Practicality of Residential Wind Mills

By: Gregg- Camp | 09/08/2009 | Home Improvement
Wind might just be considered the ultimate form of renewable energy. Nearly everyone has felt the force of wind, or seen wind mills in operation on a larger scale. Those enjoying coastal properties see the power of wind on a daily basis. Question: How practical are wind mills on a smaller, residential scale? Can the installation and maintenance cost outweigh the saving on your electric bill and energy consumption?