Helping you to understand rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic and inflammatory disease that affects the joints in the body. However,any joint component, including cartilage, muscles, ligaments, synovialmembranes, as well as the blood vessels may be affected.  

Understanding the Signs and Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

 In some cases, rheumatoid arthritis may also affect soft tissues found in the body, including the eyes and lungs.

Most often noticed between the ages of 25 and 50, rheumatoid arthritis is more commonly found in women than in men. While its distinct causes are unknown, it is believed to be caused by an autoimmune disorder in which the body's immune system will attack its own tissues. Treatment for rheumatoid arthritis will depend on the severity of the condition as well as the overall general health, age, gender and weight of the person affected. Roughly 5 to 10% of patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis eventually experience some form of disability and many drugs that are used to treat the condition may cause adverse reactions and effects.

Common Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are generally noticed first by redness or sensations of pain and even warmth of affected joints. These joints may feel tender when palpated, and most often occurs in the hands and the wrists.  However, some patients also express this pain and redness in the elbows, shoulders, feet and ankles.

Another common symptom of rheumatoid arthritis is pain and stiffness in the morning. While many of us often becomes stiff or sore after exercising or when sitting in the same position for long periods of time, the stiffness that is caused by rheumatoid arthritis is chronic and produces a dull, throbbing pain that may take hours to relieve.

Other common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include muscle aches, weakness, and sometimes fever and even weight loss. Muscle aches are generally noticed in one area of the body, though in more severe cases of rheumatoid arthritis, these muscle aches may cover extensive areas of the body.

A feeling of malaise "just not feeling well" is often a major complaint of those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. In some cases, bumps may sometimes be felt under the skin, which are caused by the presence of nodules, part of the endocrine system that becomes swollen and tender to the touch.

Risks of contracting rheumatoid arthritis increase with a family history of autoimmune disorders as well as genetic factors, including those of Native American descent. There is not one particular test that is able to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis, but some medical tests that may help provide a diagnosis include blood and joint fluid studies, as well as MRIs, x-rays, and CT scans.

In most cases, the disease course may be shortened, reduced, or even limited by treatment and medications. Some symptoms, such as the morning stiffness, may be relieved by engaging in daily range of motion exercises, or through the use of heating pads or cold packs or warm baths or showers first thing in the morning.  Physical therapy and activity helps to maintain strength and joint mobility and is strongly encouraged.

 

People who use four drugs to treat rheumatoid arthritis are at risk of contracting fatal fungus infections, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

The four drugs -- Enbrel, Remicade, Humira and Cimzia -- will be required to have proper warning labels on their packaging.

The drugs suppress the body's immune system, a key component in the rheumatoid arthritis disorder. Although the drugs relieve swelling and alleviate joint pain, they also leave users vulnerable to other infections, the FDA concluded.

Roughly 20 percent of patients who were taking one of the drugs had died the fungal disease histoplasmosis, the FDA said. The infection, which resembles the flu, attacks the lungs and spreads.