An Guide To Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis can be a very painful condition that unfortunately doesn’t have a known cure at this point. This results from the immune system attacking the body’s joints, causing inflammation and pain. In certain instances, damage is done to internal organs by the immune system as well. Experts do not know why the immune system malfunctions in this manner and don’t know how to stop the disease completely. However, in recent years tremendous progress has been made to limit the advancement of rheumatoid arthritis and managing the symptoms. Not only are adults affected, but children are as well which is referred to as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
Symptoms
Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms frequently start in smaller joints and work their way toward larger ones. Common symptoms include joint pain and swelling, stiffness after lying down or sitting and puffy, red hands. Additional symptoms could include a low grade fever, fatigue, and weight loss. If you are currently experiencing any of these symptoms, make it a priority to see a doctor as soon as you can to get properly diagnosed. Treatment is far more effective when rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed in the early stages.
Diagnoses
A number of tests are available to help in providing the correct diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. The first is a blood test used to detect levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate, which indicates inflammation in the body. Another blood test used is one that looks for specific antibodies in the bloodstream that may mean the person has the disease.
However, some people with rheumatoid arthritis do not have these antibodies, so the test is not conclusive. If rheumatoid arthritis is suspected, the doctor may also take a sample of joint fluid. In order to determine the amount of joint damage done, X-rays may also be taken.
Treatment Options
The treatment can start as soon as the official diagnoses has been made. The purpose of medications is to manage pain and delay the advancement of the arthritis. Many new medications for rheumatoid arthritis have come on the market in recent years, and some have proven quite effective in helping patients achieve a higher quality of life. However, if joint damage becomes too severe, surgery may also be recommended to allow the patient to use a particular joint once again. Rheumatoid arthritis therapy has also proven to be effective.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful disease that affects many children and adults. Since there is no rheumatoid arthritis cure, patients have to learn to live with it. The good news is that advances in treatment for this disease has allowed many rheumatoid arthritis sufferers to enjoy a higher quality of life with less pain.



