Crippling disease is nothing new; mankind has experienced such infirmities since the dawn of time. Such diseases limit movement, cause pain that may occupy every waking minute, and generally reduce the quality of a person’s life. One of such aliments is rheumatoid arthritis. What is rheumatoid arthritis? Sifting through all the medical terminology, there are several common features. It is an autoimmune disease whereby the body itself attacks those internal tissues which are now incorrectly considered pathogens. While lungs and other organs may be affected, the synovial tissue surrounding articular cartilage is most commonly misidentified as a harmful pathogen and the body’s immune system takes action against what it thinks is an invader. Fluid begins to build up in the joints and creates both pain and inflammation. Ankylosis, or stiffening of the joints, is a consequence of this assault and severely reduced mobility is the ultimate result.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive disease that can ultimately render its victim unable to walk or move without experiencing severe pain. The root cause of rheumatoid arthritis is not presently known. Some speculate that there is a hereditary component: that the disease is something locked into a person’s DNA. Others view environment as a key cause and habits such as smoking increases the risk of developing this crippler. Because a person can go for years without showing symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis after first being diagnosed, a trigger mechanism of some kind might induce symptoms to suddenly reappear.
The common symptoms of this disorder are joint pain and swelling. Morning stiffness that lasts well into the afternoon is also a sign of rheumatoid arthritis. The disease makes itself known in smaller body joints. Wrists, ankles, and feet are among the first parts of the body where evidence of rheumatoid arthritis surfaces. Progressively, larger joints such as the knees and hips will show the effects of spreading ankylosis. Advanced cases of rheumatoid arthritis display a degeneration of the joints with ever increasing pain. The mental condition of the affected person becomes a prominent concern at this point as well, as the inability to perform routine tasks leads to depression. Joint replacement surgery becomes an option to restore mobility and relieve pain.
Over one million American suffer from the disease and it is found in all ethnic groups. There is, however, a gender bias inherent in rheumatoid arthritis. It is more common in women than in men, and the disease ordinarily makes its presence know when an individual is between the ages of forty and sixty. Rheumatoid arthritis itself is not life threatening but it can weaken the immune system. This creates a situation in which a person suffering from rheumatoid arthritis becomes highly susceptible to life threatening heart disease and pneumonia. It is because of this that rheumatoid arthritis is often listed as a secondary cause of mortality on death certificates.
There is currently no cure for rheumatoid arthritis but there are treatment options for this debilitating disease. Addressing the problem as soon as possible, before the onset of irreparable joint damage, is extremely important. Rheumatoid arthritis may not have a cure, but medical studies indicate that immediate, proactive, treatment can force the disease into remission. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDS) are used to bring rheumatoid arthritis under control. Some moderate changes in a person’s lifestyle can also offset rheumatoid arthritis. Physical activity is often recommended and diets that have selenium and vitamin D can prevent the more serious detriments from overcoming anyone with rheumatoid arthritis. Not smoking is highly recommended as a means of combating this sickness as well. Early detection and treatment, however, are clearly the best means of preventing rheumatoid arthritis from adversely affecting a person’s quality of life.