Arthritis is one of the most common complaints in households and the doctor’s office. But how much of arthritis is known? There are several forms of arthritis. The most prevalent of them is
, also known as rheumatoid disease. Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease, or it can be chronic. This sort of arthritis is also caused by an autoimmune disorder. Over 2.1 million of Americans are afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis. It also affects women three times more than it does men. The arthritis more often strikes people around the ages 25 to 50 years old. It can also affect any joint in the body.
Rheumatoid arthritis often starts with a sudden and severe attack. Flu like symptoms also often accompany it. How is
characterized? In most cases, it is with the inflammation of the joints. Deformities may also be associated with it. Rheumatoid arthritis is also regarded as a systemic illness. It may also affect the other organs of the body. There are three known stages of rheumatoid arthritis. First there is the swelling of the synovial lining. The synovial is the lubricating fluid around the different joints in the body. When the synovial lining is inflamed, it can cause stiffness, swelling, redness and pain around the joints.
The second stage is when there is a rapid division and growth of cells. This causes the synovium to thicken. What is the synovium? The synovium on the other hand is the free moving membrane in the joints of the body. The third stage of this arthritis is when the cells release harmful enzymes. These enzymes actually eat up the bone and the cartilage. The joint may then begin to be deformed and will lose its alignment. This in turn can result to chronic pain and loss of movement. Not much is actually known about rheumatoid arthritis. The causes of rheumatoid arthritis yet remain to be vague.
But studies have shown that the disease can be genetic in nature. Those with rheumatoid arthritis are often found to have relatives suffering from the same. Bacteria, fungi and virus are also some of the suspected culprits behind it. The signs and symptoms of the arthritis vary from person to person. However, there are common manifestations to look for. Among them are painful joints, bone and cartilage destruction, anemia, decreased appetite, dry eyes and dry mouth. There may also be fatigue, loss of strength in the muscles, flu-like symptoms, joint deformity and hardened lumps. Still, others may also experience low grade fevers, swelling and stiffness in the joints and malaise.
If the arthritis lasts for more than 6 weeks, then it may be
. It can also be the same when x-rays show joint erosions. It is also a manifestation of the rheumatoid disease when a blood test shows positive for the rheumatoid factor. So it is when there is morning stiffness in the joints and there is the presence of nodules under the skin. These are signs and symptoms to look for to determine whether one is afflicted by this arthritis.
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