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Arthritis - Are You and Your Joints headed for a Divorce?

Saturday, January 3rd, 2009    Subscribe To Our Feed

Author: Fernanda B.Sc, Pharm, M.H.

greater than one hundred separate forms of arthritis and rheumatic diseases. Within the more widely understood conditions are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout and lupus. When I reflect on arthritis disease the single form that comes to mind is one of the more debilitating types of arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) afflicts about one percent of the residents of North America and shows up three times more often in women than in men.  It can happen at any age but usually the beginning age is between 50 and 60. This arthritis disease is a chronic, progressive state that causes the lining of your joints to become inflamed.

 
Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease which means that it has an influence on the whole body. As this arthritis disease progresses it can not only damage the tendons, ligaments, cartilage and bone in the joints but also other places in the body such as your lungs and blood vessels.

 
Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease which means that the body’s immune system is not performing as it needs to. The immune system will not know it’s own tissue and reacts to it like foreign invaders. With this form of arthritis disease the immune system assaults the joints and surrounding tissue causing long term harm.

Symptoms can come on in an instant or gradually and the arthritis disease has various times when it is engaged and periods where you are not bothered. When the disease is active, symptoms you may notice are fatigue, lack of appetite, low grade fever, muscle and joint aches and stiffness. Muscle and joint stiffness are typically notable in the morning and after times of inactivity. In Rheumatoid arthritis joints are typically-most often swollen and painful in a symmetrical pattern (both sides of the body affected). Joints in your hands and wrists are typically influenced.

Visit your physician when you are feeling some of the above symptoms.  He will carry out a physical examination while asking about your medical history and he will also request a blood test. The results from the blood test will help the doctor diagnose which form of arthritis disease you have. Your doctor may advise you to consult a rheumatologist which is a doctor that specializes in determing the problem and treating arthritic diseases. The two may work together to give you the best solution for your condition.

While you cannot heal your condition, you can adopt a selection of coping mechanisms that keep you more active and in charge of your life.  You and your joints will stay on good terms.  Learn from for my next Blog on arthritis help.

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