Arthritis is a common term for an illness that covers a broad spectrum that comprises more than one hundred illnesses. The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common, while rheumatoid arthritis is the second most common. Rheumatoid arthritis, however, is the most severe form of arthritis.

What are the Symptoms of Rheumatoid arthritis?

How do you know which type of arthritis you have? There are certain symptoms present for different types of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms include:



Paleness

Appetite loss

Low-grade fever

Range of motion is limited

Numbness or Tingling Sensations

Redness of skin

Inflammation of skin

Hand and foot deformities

Swollen glands

Nodules under the skin - round and painless

Pleurisy - inflammation of the lungs



Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms can vary - and can include any of the above symptoms or all of the above symptoms. Different symptoms may be apparent at different stages of the disease. Consulting a physician with a list of your known symptoms can help you discover if rheumatoid arthritis is the type of arthritis you have.

Active and Inactive

Rheumatoid arthritis is a form of arthritis that can occur in stages. Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms can be active or inactive. When the symptoms are inactive, the patient is in remission - and can have long periods of time with no symptoms present.

Signs of a flare-up can include:



Fatigue

Aches in muscles and joints

Stiffness in joints

Low-grade fever can be present

Appetite loss

Joints can become red, swollen, painful, and tender



During a flare-up of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, your daily routine can become severely limited. Things that you take for granted, like opening doors, opening jars, and sometimes, even walking, become too painful. At times like these, it is important that you understand that it is okay to let others help you.

Remission can occur at any time - there is no rhyme or reason. The symptoms can disappear at any time - and they can begin again at any time. Sometimes, the remission may last a few days and others times, it may last a few months.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment

As with any medical illness, you should consult your physician for diagnosis. Once you have shared your rheumatoid arthritis symptoms with your physician, he/she may suggest tests - including blood tests and x-rays of your joints. Your physician uses the results of these tests, along with your symptoms in order to make a diagnosis.

Once a diagnosis has been made, you should discuss your choices with your physician. There is no known cure for rheumatoid arthritis - but many people have effectively managed to control rheumatoid arthritis symptoms by eating healthy, maintaining a healthy weight, and exercising regularly. It is very important to maintain your overall health - physically and mentally - in order to manage rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. One very important thing to remember is that even if your rheumatoid arthritis is in remission and you have not shown any symptoms for months, it is important to maintain your healthy way of life. You should maintain your exercise routine in order to keep the muscles around your joints strong so that when your joints need to rely a little more on the muscles, the muscles will be able to carry the load.

Before you use medicine to treat your rheumatoid arthritis, you should educate yourself as much as possible. Learn all you can about the possible side effects, how the medication interacts with other drugs and foods, and how the medication will affect your daily life. For some people, controlling rheumatoid arthritis symptoms with medication may be the answer. Others may choose not to take the risks associated with the medications available for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

For those who choose not to take that risk, there are many natural treatments that help to control rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. There are many herbal remedies that can be ingested to help ease the symptoms - and many herbal remedies that can be used as massaging oils and liniments to help ease the pain and inflammation of the joints. Many home remedies have been effective for people for years - the key is to find the one that will work for you.



Thanks to Dr John Anne for contributing this article to our Arthritis blog:

Rheumatoid Arthritis Medications

KNOWING RHEUMATISM

Rheumatoid is a form of arthritis and is an autoimmune ailment. In other words, rheumatoid strikes whenever the body’s immune system fails to provide the protective shield to the body. Rheumatoid—also known as Rheumatoid Arthritis - can seriously affect the vital internal organs like the heart, and the lungs.

RHEUMATISM EFFECTS

Rheumatoid affects the lining of the joints which are known as the synovium. Rheumatoid patients have painful inflammation of this lining. Thus, rheumatoid means a rather painful condition of the joints. Rheumatoid can strike a person in his early 20s, and it can last for his entire life.

WHAT CAUSES RHEUMATISM

There is still no unanimity as to the exact cause of rheumatoid. But most of the experts agree that genetics and hereditary factors that pass on from one generation to another via the genes do play a vital role. Another school of thought attempts to blame rheumatoid cause on—mononucleosis - a virus or bacterium. Even if one accepts the latter stand as a viable one, it is for sure though that rheumatoid is not at all contagious. Stressful lifestyle, tensions, and infections such as strep throat are also deemed to be viable causes of rheumatoid.

If not detected and diagnosed at the initial stages, rheumatoid can adversely affect the blood, lungs as well as the heart. What is more, rheumatoid can even change the shapes of the joints. The natural outcome of this debilitating and extremely painful syndrome is that the patient finds it very problematic to move around.

RHEUMATISM SYMPTOMS

Different persons can have different symptoms. The common symptoms of rheumatoid are a feeling of warmth on the affected parts accompanied by redness, stiffness and an overall swelling of the portion of the body where are located the affected joint(s). The stiffness, tenderness, and swelling can last for about a week or can even extend for a longer period. Obviously, the general feeling is of fatigue and depression. Many also experience feverish symptoms. However, the diseases can also be a silent invader sans these symptoms or a few of them. Moreover, there are several common patterns which are basically symmetrical in nature; suppose a particular joint on one side of the body is affected by rheumatoid then the other side of the body also gets affected by the dysfunction. Rheumatoid is thus a systemic disease causing pain to the patient.

ALTERNATIVE RHEUMATISM MEDICINES

One can also opt for the alternative medicines and therapies as acupuncture and acupressure. The most largely opted for treatment across the globe by the rheumatoid patients are surgeries. Nonetheless, the severity of rheumatoid is usually diagnosed through a series of clinical tests. The patients suffering from a mild attack of rheumatoid are generally prescribed anti-inflammatory medications like aspirin etc. But, in situations where the ailment has already reached an advanced stage, they are prescribed DMARDs (Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs) like the Corticosteroids which include narcotics and prednisone; or chemotherapy drugs like Cytoxan; or anti-organ rejection drugs like cyclosporine. The most commonly prescribed medications for the patients suffering from the acute form of rheumatoid are Methotrexate, Etanercept, Enbrel or Arava. Since these medications are basically antibiotics they tend to leave reactions on the patients who may then suffer side effects.

SHARING OF RHEUMATISM INFORMATION MUST

Hence, the doctors and the patients must share freely the probable allergies or the other ailments and medicines that a patient may be consuming so that the rheumatoid drugs do not cause any complications.

Women in the age group of 20-60 years are susceptible to rheumatoid owing to changes in their hormones that generally take place during this stage. Rheumatoid patients experience the symptoms more in the wintry season.



Thanks to Nilutpal Gogoi for contributing this article to our Arthritis blog:

Rheumatoid Arthritis in the Knee

Over 100 known forms of arthritis are making millions of people suffer today. The most weakening of all forms is rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms are joints that ache, throb, and eventually become deformed. Those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis symptoms often find it hard to do everyday tasks, like taking a walk, or opening a car or jar. Some with rheumatoid arthritis have joints that are so deformed they are unable to even do the simplest job. No one knows what causes rheumatoid arthritis, but many believe it is the body’s immune system attacking the lining of your joints. This lining called the synovium.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms are more common in women than in men and will usually strike an adult between the ages of 20 to 50. That is the general criteria for rheumatoid arthritis symptom sufferers, but people over 50 and children can also be affected.

Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms usually develop in several joints at the same time. The first parts of your body that show signs of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms are usually your wrists, shoulders, hands, and feet. As the rheumatoid arthritis symptoms gradually get worse, it will attack the elbows, hips, neck, and jaw as well. It normally affects both sides at the same time.

Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms may appear as small lumps under skin where there are pressure points near your elbows, hands, feet, and Achilles tendons. Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms can develop in other areas of your body, but that’s where they start. At some point, you may experience rheumatoid nodules on the back of your scalp, around your knees, and even in your lungs. Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms can develop your salivary glands, linings of your lungs and heart, and sometimes the tear duct glands. These lumps are usually not painful. They can be the size of a pea or the size of a walnut.

Here are some symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Some of those Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms are:

Aching and stiffness of joints and muscles, especially after a time of rest. Pain and swelling in the joints, especially the smaller ones like in the hand. Loss of motion in the joints. Low-grade fever. Strength is lost in the muscles attached to the affected joints. Chronic fatigue when there is a flare-up of the disease. Deformity of joints. A general sense of just not feeling well. Unable to pinpoint exactly why they feel bad.

Any or all of these rheumatoid arthritis symptoms may come and go, but largely depend on what type of activity you are taking part in.

Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms do not go away, but it does come in “episodes.” A person suffering from rheumatoid arthritis symptoms may go into remission for a period, and then have another flare up of pain, swelling, weakness, and difficulty sleeping. You may experience a flare up, and then have several weeks or months of remission before it attacks again. There isn’t any reason why a person suffering from rheumatoid arthritis symptoms can’t be productive and useful lives while working around the attacks of your rheumatoid arthritis.

Some researchers theorize that rheumatoid arthritis could be the result of an infection or inflammation. When your body experiences an infection or inflammation, it sends white blood cells through the bloodstream and attacks the lining of the joints. Their usual job is to attack bacteria and viruses in the body instead it attacks the lining of the joints.

Other risk factors can increase your chances of having rheumatoid arthritis. Risk is increased as you age. The good news is if you are over the age of 80, the risk decreases.

You also have a higher risk of having rheumatoid arthritis if you are a woman, and if you have been exposed to a virus or bacteria. Although the disease is not inherited, there is evidence that specific genes you inherit could make you more prone to this arthritis.

Last, smoking cigarettes over a many years can also increase your chances of rheumatoid arthritis.

There isn’t a cure for rheumatoid arthritis yet. Scientists and researchers are still searching for the cause when that is found hopefully a cure would follow.

With the proper treatment, change in lifestyles, and a plan to prevent joints from deforming, a person experiencing rheumatoid arthritis symptoms may still be able to live a productive and long life. Deformity or swelling may limit your flexibility, but even in the most severe form of rheumatoid arthritis, you will probably still keep flexibility in most of your joints.



Thanks to Steven Godlewski for contributing this article to our Arthritis blog:

Rheumatoid Arthritis Back Pain

“Health is wealth”—a phrase oft-used yet the most-ignored in today’s world. But this would be more meaningful to the unhealthy, who have faced the health hazards and know how important it is to stay fit. Health gone, you would soon feel that the whole world around you is nothing but a miserable excess, which has no place for you. That is precisely why you should take caution before it is too late. Retain health, or at least restore it, before it gets out of hand.

One very common health hazard these days is osteoarthritis, a kind of arthritis (inflammation of joint/joints), commonly seen in aged people. It is a degenerative joint disease, because it affects the joints. In this, the surface layer of cartilage (slippery bone tissue) crumbles and erodes, thereby increasing the friction of bones under the cartilage. When the smooth movement of bones is hindered, it naturally causes pain, swelling, and limited joint motion. With time, the joint may lose its original shape too. Therefore, it is imperative to treat this early. Joint pains are also common in athletes and animals. Overuse of bones and muscles wears away their cartilage and leads to joint diseases.

People dread this disease because it not only gives the body an intolerable discomfort, it also restricts normal daily activities, thereby pushing the affected into serious depression and disgust. But this is not impossible to get rid of.

Regular rest or exercise is effective in minimizing joint pains. Some people take the “feel good” route to a pain-free life, taking the malfunction in stride, while others draw their sustenance from various educational and support programs. You may also consider going for the many joint pain relief medications available in the market these days, which soothe pains, reduce inflammation, restore the outworn cartilage and facilitates joint movement.

The commonest treatment to osteoarthritis or joint pains is the amino sugar Glucosamine. Synflex is one such Glucosamine-rich medicine made to arrest joint pains. It can also work wonders on your pets. Dogs and cats are known to have benefited a lot from this pain relief medicine Syn-flex. And if you are a pet-lover yourself, you would know how painful it is to see your loving pet in pain.

The joints mean the most for people in sports; therefore, they need to keep them working all the while. So many athletes prefer Syn-flex in their busy racing lives as this shows results in about ten days. Synflex or no Synflex, joint care health products are abundant in the market. All that is important is for you to pick up the right medicine and bid a bye to joint pains forever. Good luck!



Thanks to Wain Roy for contributing this article to our Arthritis blog:

Arthritis Prevention

You’ve probably heard it a hundred times, joint pain is merely the cause of aging and nothing else. This is a myth. In fact, joint disorders are caused by different factors all leading to pain and related stress.

Age is a huge factor in joint disorders because the cartilage thins as a person grows old. Joints are damaged faster as the surface of the cartilage changes from smooth to cracked. Nonetheless, this is not the only reason for the aches and pains one can suffer.

Many aspects cause joint disorder; here are the most common reasons.

1. Inflammation. Swelling of joints or arthritis as it’s more popularly known can be constant and recurrent. Inflammation causes pain and swelling due to tiny pieces of cartilage tearing off. A more common form of arthritis is called osteoarthritis. Often caused by the breakdown of cartilage, it targets the hips, hand, knees and spine. Although osteoarthritis is classified as a non-inflammatory arthritis (no swelling), swelling slowly appears as the arthritis develops.

2. Diet. Food intake plays a big role in life. The body needs nutrition for strength and energy. But not all foods are good for the body; some can also slowly degrade the body. The foods we eat are the results of what happens to our body. Eating unhealthy foods can take their toll in due time mostly resulting in illness caused by joint pain.

3. Weight. Weight is also one of the reasons for the aches and pains that we feel in our joints. Obesity causes small tears that break down the cartilage. Picture a chicken with a big body because of vitamins and excess food, their feet are so small that they can’t lift themselves up anymore. Same goes with a person, the more the weight they carry, the more the cartilage breaks down. It may seem unnoticeable at first, but the effects take place in the long run. It’s a known fact that losing a few pounds can relieve pain by at least 50 percent for most women.

4. Diabetes. Diabetes increases the risks of joint disorders. A frequent problem in having diabetes is Charcot’s joint. Mainly affecting the feet, it occurs due to nerve damage caused by joint deterioration.

5. No exercise. Lack of exercise is also a major factor in joint disorder. Joints, like the tinman in The Wizard of Oz, need oil or in this case nutrients and exercise. Tender joints that don’t get enough exercise will cause the surrounding muscles to become frail. Not only does exercise help strengthen joints, it also maintains weight loss and keeps the body healthy.

6. Muscle loss. Loss of muscle mass also contributes to joint pain. It’s only natural to lose some muscle mass as time passes by. This goes along with lack of exercise, the joint soaks up the stress of everyday living instead of the muscle resulting to more damage.

7. Stress. Stress due to over-exercise can also cause joint disorder. If the body is overstressed from excessive exercise, the muscles get strained ensuing damage to the joints.

8. Injuries. Small injuries that happened at a young age can lead to joint pain. Accidental sprains can be damaged further as a person grows older. Even minor unknown injuries can effect in joint disorders.

9. Heredity. Heredity can cause joint disorder because your parents may have passed it on to you. The position of the bones and the uneven fitting of the joints can be abnormal leading to disorders. Though some may skip this genetic disease; those who get it won’t experience this problem until they’re older.

Staying healthy and keeping fit will lead to a more dynamic and happy lifestyle. So eat right, have enough exercise and take care of your body. You never know, you may even outlive your cat.



Thanks to Suzi Parsell for contributing this article to our Arthritis blog:

Psoriatic Arthritis Treatment