Getting The Basics On Rheumatoid Arthritis

Few people realize that the term “arthritis” is actually a blanket term for over 200 different diseases that involve joint inflammation and pain. One of the most prevalent and potentially disabling forms of arthritis is known as rheumatoid arthritis. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the basics of rheumatoid arthritis so you can more accurately understand the prevalence and causes of the disease.

Rheumatoid arthritis is prevalent in roughly 2.1 million Americans, accounting for approximately one percent of all American adults. The disease is caused by an inflammation of the lining of a joint, which can cause the sufferer to feel pain and stiffness in the joint, as well as swelling, a feeling of warmth, and a red tint to the skin. In addition, inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis can also affect the body’s tear ducts, salivary glands, and the linings of the human heart and lungs.

The disease may be life-long, with those afflicted experiencing waves of severity ranging from periods of practically no pain to intense suffering that arrives with little or no warning. The disease generally is found to be occurring in those between ages 20 and 50. The most common signs are swelling, redness, tenderness, and a warmness of a joint. These signs may appear on both joints. For example, if you experience a problem in your left elbow, your right elbow may also reflect the same sensations, as if rheumatoid arthritis is present. Pain and tenderness often lasts for an extended period of time.

The disease is actually caused by the body’s immune system. Sometimes the immune system malfunctions and mistakes joint tissue as an invader. When this happens, the body will do its best to destroy the joint tissue, which then leads to the symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis. While an exact cause for rheumatoid arthritis has yet to be discovered, scientists in the field contend that genetics and heredity may play an important role.

When diagnosing a case of rheumatoid arthritis, doctors often employ the use of a blood test that checks for the presence of an antibody known as a “rheumatoid factor.” If the antibody is present, there’s a good chance that the person is afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis. Between seventy and ninety percent of all rheumatoid arthritis sufferers have this agent in their bloodstream, so it can provide a fairly accurate assessment of a person’s risk for the disease. Doctors may also perform x-rays to determine exactly how much of the joint tissue has been affected by rheumatoid arthritis.

If you experience symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis that last for two weeks or longer, it’s important to talk to your doctor about the symptoms to see if you have the disease.

To learn more about arthritis, its symptoms and treatments, visit: Freedom From Arthritis

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