Guide Note

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes pain, inflammation, stiffness, and loss of function in the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of arthritis that attacks the lining of the joints eventually causing deformity. The most common joints affected by rheumatoid arthritis are the wrists and fingers. Successfully managing Rheumatoid arthritis depends on early diagnosis and in some cases aggressive treatment.

Symptoms

Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include pain and inflammation in the joints, joint stiffness, fever, fatigue and weight loss.

Complications

Over time, you will find that doing everyday chores becomes increasingly difficult. Rheumatoid arthritis causes joint damage and disfigurement making doing things more difficult as it progresses. After awhile, you may find you can not do some of the normal things you used to do at all.

Treatments

Since there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, the goal is to relieve the patient of their symptoms. Common treatments used for rheumatoid arthritis are pain relievers, NSAIDS, which is a pain reliever and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication like Ibuprofen or Naproxen, and in some cases surgery.

Fast Facts

Also called RA
1% of Americans affected
More common in women
In some cases affects children and is known as Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
Age begins: 25 to 55
Cause unknown
Different from osteoarthritis
Can affect any joint
Most common in wrists and fingers
No single test can identify RA
Hands may become bent or twisted
Lifelong disease
Take medications as directed
To much medication can cause side effects

Disclaimer

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you think you have Rheumatoid Arthritis, please consult your doctor.

Categories

Health | Diseases | Autoimmune diseases

View Note History

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Also try: Arthritis | Chronic Pain

The Mahalo Top 7

MedlinePlus: Rheumatoid Arthritis
MayoClinic.com: Rheumatoid Arthritis
American College of Rheumatology (ACR): Rheumatoid Arthritis
American Family Physician: Diagnosis and Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis (September 15, 2005)
Arthritis Foundation: The Genetics Behind Rheumatoid Arthritis
WebMD: Rheumatoid Arthritis Health Center
AnswersTV Video: Rheumatoid Arthritis Overview (Time: 8:00)

Rheumatoid Arthritis News

Google News: Rheumatoid Arthritis Search
Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center: Arthritis News
WebMD: News and Features Related to Rheumatoid Arthritis
HealthDay: New Rheumatoid Arthritis Drug Works for Adults, Children (March 21, 2008)
HealthDay: Common Rheumatoid Arthritis Drug Won't Raise Blood Cancer Risk (February 29, 2008)
HealthDay: Depression Rarely Discussed With RA Patients (February 11, 2008)
HealthDay: Rheumatoid Arthritis Death Rate Unchanged (October 29, 2007)
HealthDay: Meditation May Help Rheumatoid Arthritis Sufferers (September 28, 2007)
HealthDay: Genes Boost Risk for Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus (September 5, 2007)
HealthDay: RA Drugs Linked to Slight Skin Cancer Risk (August 29, 2007)
Johns Hopkins Arthritis News: Is TNF Inhibitor Therapy Effective at Preventing Bony...? (February 2007)

Rheumatoid Arthritis Facts

Wikipedia: Rheumatoid Arthritis
American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP): Rheumatoid Arthritis
eMedinceHealth: Rheumatoid Arthritis Overview
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: Rheumatoid Arthritis
MyDr: Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis Causes, Symptoms and Complications

MayoClinic.com: Rheumatoid Arthritis: Signs and Symptoms | Causes | Complications
eMedicineHealth: Rheumatoid Arthritis Causes | Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms
WebMD: Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms & Types

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment Options

MayoClinic.com: Rheumatoid Arthritis: Treatment
Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center: Treatment Information for Rheumatoid Arthritis
ACR: Joint Injection/Aspiration
Cleveland Clinic: What Drugs are Used to Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis
Annals of Internal Medicine: What Is the Best Treatment Plan for Early Rheumatoid..? (March 20, 2007)

Rheumatoid Arthritis Holistic and Alternative Treatment

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Rheumatoid Arthritis and...
MayoClinic.com: Rheumatoid: Arthritis Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Acupuncture.com: Dietary Guidelines for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis Prevention

Arthritis Foundaiton: Rheumatoid Arthritis May Be Prevented with Early Treatment
WebMD: Rheumatoid Arthritis Prevention: Is It Possible?

Rheumatoid Arthritis Research

Arthritis Research & Therapy Search: Rheumatoid Arthritis
Annals of Internal Medicine: Abatacept for People with Active Rheumatoid Arthritis (June 20, 2006)
Journal of Clinical Investigation: Research Summary: Imatinib as Treatment for... (September 2006)
Arthritis & Rheumatism: Research Fetal DNA and Remission in Pregnant Women with RA (July 2006)

Rheumatoid Arthritis Clinical Trials

ClinicalTrials.gov: Rheumatoid Arthritis Clinical Trials
CenterWatch: Rheumatoid Arthritis Clinical Trials

Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Groups and Foundations

National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society: Support and Information for People with Rheumatoid Arthritis
MayoClinic.com: Rheumatoid Arthritis: Coping Skills
Daily Strength: Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group
MDJunction.com: Rheumatoid Arthritis Online Support Group

Rheumatoid Arthritis Discussion and Blogs

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