Pureocd

There are millions of people who suffer from Arthritis. About 7% of these people are diagnosed with RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (RA). Where Osteoarthritis is due to a deterioration of a joint, RA is an autoimmune diseases, related to Lupus and MS. Autoimmune diseases are disorders in which the body’s healthy cells are attacked by the immune system. Early diagnosis is of paramount importance. Joint damage is permanent.

Rheumatoid Arthritis can be identified through three phases:

<> Early Phase: mild or moderate pain, heat and swelling in affected joint area, attacks of joint pain are for short duration, a few hours to a few days.

<>Middle Phase: thickening in joint causes moderate to severe pain, redness, swelling and stiffness in joint causes difficulty in joint use, joint pain may last for weeks.

<>Late Phase: deformation of joint and loss of joint movement, severe pain, nodules noted, irreparable damage to joints.

DIAGNOSING RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Symptoms may vary from one person to another. A general list of visible symptoms are:

*Joints that are swollen and sensitive to the touch

*joints seem seem to vary in pain ativity (today the hand, tomorrow, the knee)

*bumps under the skin near joints (easily mistaken for cysts)

*general fatigue

*night sweats

*joint stiffness

*weakness

*flu like illness

There is no one set of tests that diagnosis RA. The identification of the disease is done over a period time. The three main methods used to identify RA are:

<><>Past medical history and family history: Autoimmune diseases may be genetic. Past history of joint stiffness, pain, flu-like illnesses, fevers, etc can help identify the disease and the degree of the advancement of the disease.

<><>Physical exam: Use of joints, joint angle, presence of nodules, etc

<><>Medical tests: Blood tests and X-rays

TREATMENT PLAN FOR RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Once the diagnosis is confirmed, a treatment plan is prepared. This plan is a long term program designed to help the individual cope with the disorders associated with RA. The treatment plan addresses the following:

<> Drug therapy:

<><> Long term treatment requires drugs referred to as DMARDs (modifying anti-rheumatic drugs).These drugs cause the disease to go into remission. In suspected cases of RA, the doctor will usually prescribe a DMARD immediately. This is due to the potential irreversible damage that can be done to joints and the