About Rheumatoid Arthritis – Facts and Factors of RA
Learning About Rheumatoid Arthritis is important if you may be having symptoms such as joint pain and swelling. This type of arthritis is known for its characteristic of equally affecting two identical areas. For example, both wrists, both hands, or both knees will be affected.
This inflammation occurs in the joints. Occasionally About Rheumatoid Arthritis can affect the skin, nerves, lungs, heart, eyes, or blood. Another characteristic about About Rheumatoid Arthritis is stiffness. Often in the morning, or after sitting for long periods, the sufferers’ joints feel stiff and sometimes hard to move. What is known about rheumatoid arthritis is that there no cure, but early, focused treatment can help prevent eventual disability in this disease.
Another thing known About Rheumatoid Arthritis is that it affects no two people in the same way. Many have symptoms that increase gradually over a period of years, while some have a rapid advance of signs. Often in both cases, it can enter a period of remission. Doctors know this about rheumatoid arthritis; it strikes 1% of the US population. It is at least three times more likely to occur in women than men. The exact causes known about rheumatoid arthritis are thought to be a mix of environmental, genetic, and hormonal factors.
The immune system is compromised in this ailment. What is known about rheumatoid arthritis is that it often causes the immune system to attack the joints and other organs. One idea is that bacterial or viral infections cause the immune system to assault a victim’s joints. The synovial fluid surrounding the joint is invaded with inflammatory substances. This causes irritation within the joint and friction to the cartilage. This results in a sad fact about About Rheumatoid Arthritis. Without intervention, the cartilage wears away, the synovial fluid thins, then, painful bone rubbing against bone can occur. Bone damage called erosion can occur. If it becomes too severe, surgery may be the only option left. That is sometimes goes into remission, is a unique characteristic about rheumatoid arthritis.
One genetic factor known about rheumatoid arthritis is that many people seem to inherit it in within the family blood line. When complaints about rheumatoid arthritis are made by the victim, physicians can perform a combination of tests to positively identify RA. X-ray tests are often used pin point and confirm RA. A lab test can also be performed that determine the presence of CCP’s. This is called a cyclic citrulline antibody test. The rheumatoid-factor antibody will show up in the patient’s blood. Treatments known about rheumatoid arthritis will be applied at this point. The methods used will depend on the person’s overall health, medical history, age, and severity of the arthritis.
