2012年6月2日星期六

Rheumatoid Arthritis - Symptoms, Causes and Diagnosis

Rheumatoid Arthritis - Symptoms, Causes and Diagnosis

What is rheumatoid arthritis and the symptoms

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease that causes pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of joint function. Rheumatoid arthritis has several features that makes it different from other types of arthritis. For example, rheumatoid arthritis generally occurs in a symmetrical, meaning that if one knee is affected, the other will follow. Rheumatoid arthritis often affects the wrist joints and fingers. It can also affect other parts of the body besides the joints. Additionally,mbt zum Verkauf, people with rheumatoid arthritis may experience symptoms such as fatigue, occasional fever and general feeling of not feeling well.


Rheumatoid arthritis affects people differently. For some it lasts only a few months or a year or two and goes away without causing any noticeable damage. Other people have mild or moderate disease, with periods in which symptoms worsen and others in which they feel better. Still others have the severe form of rheumatoid arthritis most of the time, and the disease lasts for many years or life caused severe damage to the joints.

Some symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and features include: - Joints sensitive, warm and swollen. - Symmetrical pattern of affected joints. - Inflammation of the joints often affecting the wrist and fingers. - Inflammation of the joints sometimes affecting other sites such as the neck, shoulders, elbows, hips, ankles and feet. Fatigue, occasional fever and general feeling of not feeling well. - Pain and stiffness that lasts longer than 30 minutes in the morning or after long rest. - Symptoms that last for many years. - Variability of symptoms among people.

Progress in the joints of rheumatoid arthritis

Joints are where two bones meet. The end of the bone is covered with cartilage,mbt schuhe, which allows easy movement of the two bones. The joint is covered by a capsule that protects and supports. The joint capsule is lined with a type called synovial tissue,billige MBT Schuhe, synovial fluid that produces a clear substance which lubricates and holds the bone and cartilage from the joint capsule.

Like many rheumatic diseases, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, ie, the person's immune system,scarpe hogan, which normally helps protect the body from disease and infection, attacks joint tissues for unknown reasons. The attack of the immune system causes inflammation, which usually causes the synovial tissue to thicken and make the joint swell and become sensitive to touch.

As RA progresses, the inflamed synovial tissue to invade and destroy cartilage and bone in the joint. The muscles, ligaments and tendons around that support and stability to the joint become weak and unable to function normally. These effects give rise to pain and joint damage often seen in rheumatoid arthritis.

Progress of rheumatoid arthritis in body parts

Some people with RA also have symptoms in places other than the joints. Many people with RA develop anemia, or decreased red cell production. Other effects that occur less often include neck pain, and dry eyes and mouth. Very rarely, inflammation of the blood vessels, lining of the lungs, and affect the heart.

Causes of rheumatoid arthritis

Scientists do not yet know exactly what causes the immune system turns against the body itself in cases of rheumatoid arthritis,Christian Louboutin Pas Cher, but research in recent years indicate some factors involved.

Genetic factors among the causes of rheumatoid arthritis Scientists have discovered that certain genes that play a role in the immune system are associated with the tendency to develop rheumatoid arthritis. Some people with rheumatoid arthritis do not have these genes, and still others have these genes but do not develop the disease. This indicates that the gene, although important role in cases of rheumatoid arthritis is not the only factor for the disease. But what is clear is that more than one gene is involved in determining whether a person has rheumatoid arthritis and disease severity.

Environmental factors among the causes of rheumatoid arthritis Many scientists think that something must happen to trigger the process of rheumatoid arthritis in genetically susceptible to the disease. This could be a viral or bacterial infection, but the exact agent is not yet known. This does not mean that rheumatoid arthritis is contagious. A person can not contract another rheumatoid arthritis.

Other factors among the causes of rheumatoid arthritis Some scientists also think there are a variety of hormonal factors may be involved in rheumatoid arthritis. Women are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis than men, pregnancy may improve symptoms and the disease may worsen after delivery. Breastfeeding may also aggravate the disease.

Although not all answers are known, which is known for sure is that rheumatoid arthritis is the result of the interaction of many factors.


Diagnosis

The diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis can be difficult in the early stages for several reasons. Firstly, there is a single test for the disease. Furthermore, the symptoms vary from person to person. Additionally, the symptoms can be similar to other types of arthritis and joint problems. Finally, the full range of symptoms develops over time and only a few symptoms may be present in the initial stages. Thus,mbt schuhe günstig, the physician uses a variety of tools to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis, such as: - Medical history. - Physical examination, especially in the reflections, joints, skin and muscle strength. - Laboratory testing, and common test for rheumatoid factor, an antibody present in many people with the disease. In the rheumatoid factor test, there are several other possible tests to help diagnose. - X-ray to determine the level of joint destruction. It is not useful in the early stages of rheumatoid arthritis,mbt zum Verkauf, bone before the damage is evident,mbt schuhe günstig, but can be used to monitor progress of the disease.

Treatments

The treatment of rheumatoid arthritis requires team effort involving the patient and several types of health professionals. The person with suspected rheumatoid arthritis may find a GP or a rheumatologist. The rheumatologist is a doctor specializing in arthritis and other diseases of the joints, bones and muscles. As treatment progresses, other professionals can often help, as nurses and physiotherapists. Studies have shown that patients with rheumatoid arthritis who are well informed and actively participate in their own care experience less pain and generally have fewer problems.

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