Arthritis –Don’t Let It Get You Down

Arthritis is an autoimmune debility that results in an aching swelling of the joints. RA is a systemic disease,most commonly affecting extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the muscles,heart,blood vessels,lungs and skin. RA might also cause swelling of the tissue around the joints,as well as causing symptoms to other organs in the body. RA is two to three times more common in a women than in a man,and generally will start affecting someone between the ages of 20 and 50. But RA can also burdon small children and adults older than age 50.

About 60% of arthritis patients are unable to work 10 years after the beginning of their debility. arthritis is a common crippling disease,affecting more than two million people in the USA. Rheumatoid arthritis is three times more likely to become a problem in women as in men. It afflicts people of all races equally. Rheumatoid arthritis can cripple any joint,but the most common joints are in the hands and/or feet. Rheumatoid arthritis results in redness,pain,swelling or a hot (or warm) sensation in the innermost part of a joint,the position where 2 or more bones actually touch. Of the world’s population,about 1% of people are believed to have the disease,but the rate varies among different groups of people.

Rheumatoid arthritis is different from osteoarthritis,the common form of arthritis that often affects the elderly. Rheumatoid arthritis can affect body parts as well as joints,such as your lungs,eyes and mouth. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune debility,which means the disease results from your immune system attacking your body’s own tissues. Rheumatoid arthritis more commonly affects the lesser joints,such as those of the feet,hands,knees,elbows,wrists and ankles.

Rheumatoid arthritis might start gradually or with a sudden,severe assault with flu-like symptoms. It’s imperrative to remember that rheumatoid arthritis’s symptoms vary from person to person. In some people the debility will be mild with periods of activity,or joint swelling with inactivity. Along with painful,inflamed joints,the disease can cause swelling in other body tissues and organs. In 20% of sufferers,growths called rheumatoid nodules develop under the skin,often over bony areas.

Relief for the disease has improved over time. Corticosteroids which are drugs,such as methylprednisolone and prednisone,decrease inflammation and pain,and slow joint damage. Drugs used to control the disease fall into two categories:those that are used to relieve symptoms,and medications that have the potential to change the course of the disease. Exercise is also an imperative part of any treatment program. Immunosuppressants medicines act to tame your immune system,which is out of control in the disease. Some of the commonly used immunosuppressants include cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan),cyclosporine (Neoral,Sandimmune),leflunomide (Arava) and azathioprine (Imuran).

These arthritis relievers might have potentially severe side effects like an increased possibility of infection. Rituximab-Rituximab reduces the number of B cells in your body,and B cells are part of the cause of inflammation.

Anti depressants are commonly used as well. The most common of these that are used for arthritis pain and sleeping problems are trazodone (Desyrel),amitriptyline,and nortriptyline (Aventyl,Pamelor).

RA Alleviating Tips

You can try non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like naproxen (Aleve,Naprosyn),celecoxib (Celebrex),ibuprofen (Motrin and others),and a ton of others. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are a kind of medication that reduces pain and swelling.

Various anti-cytokine medications are presently being used to treat painful disease states like RA.

Joint replacement surgery might be required for severely affected joints,such as knee replacement.

Manmade drugs such as Cortisteroids can be taken. These are drugs that closely resemble cortisone which is a natural hormone produced by the body.

Some light exercise could be great for increasing your blood circulation to the joints.