What is Rheumatoid Arthritis and How Does it Affect You?
 What is rheumatoid arthritis? That question goes through the minds of many people who are diagnosed with the chronic disease. Rheumatoid arthritis is one of more than 100 types of arthritis that affect more than 40 million people in the United States. It is a joint disorder characterized by an inflammation of a person's joint lining. If not treated, it can lead to long-term joint damage, chronic pain, loss of function, and even disability.
Like all types of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis develops in three stages:
- Stage one - Swelling begins in the joint lining causing pain, stiffness, redness, and warmth around the joint.
- Stage two - Cells begin to rapidly grow and divide causing the joint lining to thicken.
- Stage three - The swollen cells start to release enzymes, which can digest bone and cartilage. This usually causes the affected joint to lose its shape and alignment. The sufferer will also experience a loss of mobility at this stage.
Unfortunately, while its easy to explain what rheumatoid arthritis is and what may cause rheumatoid arthritis, we don't have as simple an answer on its cure. Because rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease, nothing can be done to eliminate it completely. Sufferers will experience flare-ups over the course of their lives and left untreated, their symptoms may worsen. Still, there is hope for a patient to live a productive lifestyle if the disorder is diagnosed in its early stages. Studies have shown that treating the ailment aggressively early on helps to limit the loss of mobility and decreases joint damage. Treatments include prescription and over-the-counter medications, changes in diet, joint protection techniques, and exercise.
If you think you may be suffering from symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, contact your physician as soon as possible.
|
