Is a chronic, systemic autoimmune disorder that most commonly causes inflammation and tissue damage in joints (arthritis) and tendon sheaths, together with anemia.
A form of arthritis, the cause of which is unknown, although infection, hypersensitivity, hormone imbalance and psychologic stress have been suggested as possible causes.
One of the two most common forms of arthritis that tends to be multi-joint and multisystem in nature.
A chronic disease of the joints marked by inflammation of the membranes and atrophy of the bones results in crippling deformities.
chronic disease of the joints marked by inflammation of the membranes and atrophy of the bones results in crippling deformities.
A general painful disabling collagen disease affecting any joint, but especially the hands, feet and hips, making them swollen and inflamed.
An inflammatory disease of the joints resulting in a progressive destruction of articular and periarticular structures. Thought to be an autoimmune disease.
Is a chronic, systemic autoimmune disorder that most commonly causes inflammation and tissue damage in joints (arthritis) and tendon sheaths, together with anemia.
A form of arthritis, the cause of which is unknown, although infection, hypersensitivity, hormone imbalance and psychologic stress have been suggested as possible causes.
One of the two most common forms of arthritis that tends to be multi-joint and multisystem in nature.
A chronic disease of the joints marked by inflammation of the membranes and atrophy of the bones results in crippling deformities.
chronic disease of the joints marked by inflammation of the membranes and atrophy of the bones results in crippling deformities.
A general painful disabling collagen disease affecting any joint, but especially the hands, feet and hips, making them swollen and inflamed.
An inflammatory disease of the joints resulting in a progressive destruction of articular and periarticular structures. Thought to be an autoimmune disease.
An acute and chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease of connective tissue that affects joints due to antibodies destroying cartilage at the articular surfaces.
A disease of unknown cause that produces swelling, inflammation, and pain in various joints, such as those of the fingers, wrists, or toes.
A type of joint inflammation in which several parts of the body may be affected. In this more serious, systemic form of arthritis, the immune system develops antibodies that create a gradual and chronic inflammation of the thin membrane lining the joints. The inflammation eventually spreads to other parts of the joints and weakens the bones that are linked together by the joints.
A form of arthritis that is the second most common rheumatic disease (after osteoarthritis). It typically involves the joints of the fingers, wrists, feet, and ankles and often the hips and shoulders: the joints are affected symmetrically and there is a considerable range of severity. The condition is diagnosed by a blood test, which shows the presence of the rheumatoid factor, and by X-rays revealing typical changes (rheumatoid erosions) around the affected joints.
A chronic inflammation of the synovial lining of several joints, tendon sheaths or bursae which is not due to sepsis or a reaction to uric acid crystals. It is distinguished from other patterns of inflammatory arthritis by the symmetrical involvement of a large number of peripheral joints; by the common blood-finding of anti-nuclear antibody; by the presence of bony erosions around joints; and, in a few, by the presence of subcutaneous nodules with necrobiotic centres.
A chronic systemic disease marked by inflammation of multiple synovial joints. The disease usually affects similar groups of joints on both sides of the body and can create bony erosions that can be seen radiographically. Subcutaneous nodule formation and elevated serum rheumatoid factor levels are common. Patients typically complain of joint stiffness in the morning rather than after activities. Women are affected 3 times more often than men. Members of some ethnic groups, such as certain Native Americans, have higher rates of this disease than the general population. The illness usually begins in mid-life, but any age group can be affected.
Arthritis caused by inflammation of the membrane surrounding a joint.
A chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by inflammation of and sometimes damage to the joints and surrounding tissues.
A chronic disease characterized by pain, stiffness, inflammation, swelling, and destruction of joints.
A persistent autoimmune disorder distinguished by the inflammation of numerous joints accompanied by severe agony and immobility.
A form of arthritis characterized by inflammation of the joints in the limbs, and occasionally in other body areas, resulting in pain, swelling, stiffness, and potential deformity, especially in advanced instances. Additionally, tissues beyond the joints, such as the heart, can also be impacted.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition, wherein the body’s immune system targets its own tissues. It typically originates during early adulthood or middle age, although it can also emerge in children or the elderly. Women are more frequently affected than men. Typically, the condition involves recurring episodes.
Initial symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis encompass mild fever and discomfort, succeeded by joint swelling, redness, pain, and rigidity, particularly during the morning hours. Ligaments, tendons, and muscles surrounding the affected joint can also become involved. Raynaud’s phenomenon, characterized by the fingers turning white upon exposure to cold, might manifest, alongside the possibility of rheumatoid nodules (small subcutaneous lumps) forming over pressure points like the elbows or finger joints. Wrist swelling can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, which causes tingling and pain in the fingers due to pressure on the median nerve, as well as tenosynovitis, involving inflamed and painful tendon sheaths.
In cases of severe rheumatoid arthritis, potential complications encompass anemia (a decrease in the oxygen-carrying pigment hemoglobin within the blood), pericarditis (inflammation of the membranous covering around the heart), hand and foot ulcers, pleural effusion (accumulation of fluid around the lungs), pulmonary fibrosis (scarring and thickening of lung tissue), as well as Sjögren’s syndrome (a condition characterized by excessive dryness of the eyes and mouth).
Confirmation of the diagnosis can be achieved by conducting X-rays of the impacted joints and performing blood tests, which include checking for particular antibodies referred to as rheumatoid factor.
In the early stages of rheumatoid arthritis, treatment often starts with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to ease joint pain and stiffness. If NSAIDs aren’t successful, corticosteroids may be used for short-term relief. To slow down or halt the disease’s progression, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs are usually prescribed next. These can include antirheumatic medications like sulfasalazine, gold, and penicillamine, as well as immunosuppressive drugs like methotrexate, which are used to dampen the immune system if the antirheumatic drugs haven’t been effective.
Physiotherapy is essential for minimizing deformities, alleviating symptoms, and preserving movement. For those debilitated by arthritis, occupational therapy can offer valuable support in managing day-to-day activities.
For more severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to substitute damaged joints with synthetic ones. Hip and knee replacement surgeries are the most frequently conducted procedures for this purpose.
While many patients may need to remain on medication indefinitely, effective symptom management often allows them to maintain a level of activity that’s close to normal.
Contrary to popular belief, this is really a disease of the whole body, which attacks the joints as a complication, so that the patient may feel ill, depressed, lose his appetite, and become anemic as well as having swollen and painful joints. The origin of the disease is unknown, and apart from causing inflammation of tissues in and around joints, several of which are usually attacked at the same time, it may affect nearly ail the body systems. Although it may occur at any age, the majority of patients are between 25 and 40 years, and women are affected about three times as often as men. The small joints of the hands and feet are usually affected first. Not every attack is severe; many are quite mild and end in quick recovery, but even in severe cases the ailment eventually burns itself out, leaving behind damaged joints. In the acute stage of a well-established attack, physical and mental rest are highly important and heroic attempts to keep going and “work it off only make matters worse. The diet should be a full, mixed one with plenty of meat, fish, eggs, milk, cheese, and a variety of vegetables. There is no special item to take or avoid, and since the disease is not due to acid there is no reason to restrict acid food and fruit, however tart their flavor. Treatment consists in first trying to induce the disease to burn itself out quickly and then in preventing the affected joints from becoming deformed. This latter is done by applying splints and by exercising the muscles to strengthen them, often by making them work against resistance, such as lifting weights. There must be close cooperation between patient and doctor, for only the patient can strengthen his own muscles by special exercises.