A Close Look at Rheumatoid Arthritis Essay

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints. While inflammation of the tissue around the joints and inflammatory arthritis are characteristic features of rheumatoid arthritis, the disease can also cause inflammation and injury in other organs in the

3b. The report should also explain how the CAMS work to affect/improve the client’s condition in relation to the use of orthodox medicine alone. Consider how they can help with mobility, pain, respiration, mental health and stress. Also consider how they can help clients with learning difficulties (choose either ADH or Autism) (P4).

Although, U.S. adults are increasingly using CAM therapies, a national survey characterizing U.S. adults, who does not consider the use CAM has yet to be described. According to the NHIS study, "an estimated 16-26 percent of the adult population does not receive conventional care in a year. Also, an estimated 4 percent of adult population may use it as an alternative to conventional medicine (alternative medicine). Thus, up to 20-25 percent of the adult population not receiving conventional care in a year might, be using alternative medicine instead" (Nahin, Dahlhamer, Stussman, 2010). This paper will discuss the reasons people chose CAM therapies, follow by the area in which CAM is more prone, then focus on how the article contributes to

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic syndrome that is characterized by inflammation of the peripheral joints, but it may also involve the lungs, heart, blood vessels, and eyes. The prevalence of this autoimmune disease is between 0.3% to 1.5% of the population in the United States (Feinberg, pp 815). It affects women two to three times more often than men, and the onset of RA is usually between 25 and 50 years of age, but it can occur at any age (Reed, pp 584). RA can be diagnosed by establishing the presence of persistent joint pain, swelling in a symmetric distribution, and prolonged morning stiffness. RA usually affects multiple joints, such as the hands, wrists, knees, elbows, feet, shoulders, hips, and small hand joints. RA is

An autoimmune disorder, Rheumatoid Arthritis occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body's tissues. Unlike the wear-and-tear damage of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis affects the lining of your joints, causing a painful swelling that can eventually result in bone erosion and joint deformity. “Rheumatoid arthritis.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 9 Aug. 2017, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20353648

Because not everyone has been familiar to these type of therapies, they have been debating

Today in the United States there is an estimated 1.3 million people living and dealing with rheumatoid arthritis (Arthritis Foundation). One might ask, what exactly is rheumatoid arthritis? Well, rheumatoid arthritis, also commonly known as RA, is a form of inflammatory disease and an autoimmune disease. If the person is a minor, or below the age of six-teen, then the chronic disease can also go by the name of juvenile arthritis. The juvenile arthritis is, “Defined as chronic inflammation of the synovial joints, with unknown etiology, which starts before the age of sixteen and persists for at least six weeks” (Hink et al 1). This disease can affect anyone with a functioning immune system. Out of the 1.3 million people in the United States that have rheumatoid arthritis, 70% of that number is women (RA.com). Once again there are no certain reasons as to who receives this disease whether its children, elders, Caucasians, African Americans, etc. But once they do receive the illness, then it affects them immensely. “The disease is systemic, meaning it can occur throughout the whole body. It’s a chronic disease, so it can’t be cured” (Arthritis Foundation). The pain, stiffness and fatigue can affect the entire body. “RA occurs when your immune system, the system that protects your body from outside harm, mistakenly starts attacking healthy tissue” (RA.com). Rheumatoid arthritis is an incurable disease that is affecting

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease and is a chronic type of arthritis that occurs in the joints. RA is autoimmune disease where the immune system is not working properly and in the case of RA involves one’s immune cells attacking healthy joint tissue. Symptoms of this condition include joint pain, joint swelling, stiffening of the joints after long periods of inactivity and/or sitting, rheumatoid nodules, flare ups and fatigue. If someone is diagnosed with RA they will have to live with the condition for the rest of their life and instead of looking for a “cure” should find ways to manage their condition so they can live more comfortably. Fortunately there are many options of treatment to choose from for RA patients.

Rheumatoid Arthritis or RA has been around since early humanity. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory joint disease, which can cause cartilage and bone damage. Diseased joints have been found in well preserved Egyptian mummies. Showing that arthritis was prevalent among Egyptians. Hippocrates a Greek physician who is known for the Hippocratic oath, described the symptoms of arthritis. It was not until 216 AD that the term rheumatismus was used to describe the joint inflammation. Alfred Baring Garrod, an English physician, in the mid 1800s named the disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis to help distinguish the disease from osteoarthritis and gout. In 1932 the committee of Rheumatism was created and it later became the American College of Rheumatology.

Conventional treating of patients is not always the best treatment; there are routes a provider can explore to assist in the overall health and wellbeing of the patient. Complementary and alternative therapy (CAM) is the other route for the patient. Each of these modalities can produce a healing effect or relief from an ailment that will have an effect in a positive manner on the quality of life. Too many times patients become settled or complacent in his or her disease process and never look into the other routes.

Thus, RA is a disease that affects the joints. It embodied by a flare up and remission. Although, this disease often occur in more than one joint and can affect any joint in the body. People with this disease may physically

Although, symptoms and severity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) vary from person to person. Patient prognosis will depend on many factors, such as whether patients test positive or negative for the protein called rheumatoid factor (RF). Other factors that affect prognosis include patient’s age at time of diagnosis, overall health, and whether or not a person develop complications. Therefore, making the right lifestyle choices and adhering to the treatment plan can make a traumatic differences. (Johns Hopkin

Thus, RA is a disease that affects the joints. It embodied by a flare up and remission. Although, this disease often occur in more than one joint and can affect any joint in the body. People with this disease may physically exhaust or fatigued experience fevers. Furthermore, RA is by far the most serious,

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease and chronic inflammatory illness that causes the body’s immune system to attack its joints rather than the usual foreign substances such as viruses and bacteria (Arthritis Foundation, 2015; Mayo Foundation, 1998-2015). Unlike wear-and-tear osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis attacks the lining of the joints and often other body tissues such as the heart, skin, eyes and lungs (Arthritis Foundation, 2015; May Foundation, 1998-2015). Due to the body’s normal immune response, redness, inflammation, pain, and swelling, arise and can ultimately result in the destruction of bone and joint, causing for deformity (Mayo Foundation, 1998-2015). In the United States, about 1.5 million people have Rheumatoid Arthritis (Arthritis Foundation, 2015). Within this population, women are three times more likely to experience this than men. It has been noted to commonly occur between the ages of 30-60 for women and later in life for men (Arthritis Foundation, 2015). Men may be protected by hormonal factors and require a stronger genetic component to develop disease. Rheumatoid Arthritis is thought to stem from a combination of genetic susceptibility and exposure to an appropriate environmental trigger. (Ollier, W. E., Harrison, B., & Symmons, D. 2001). Within the aspect of genetics it is most likely hereditary. Although infectious triggers of RA have long been suspected, no definitive evidence has been obtained. Previous blood transfusion,

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) has been a popular disease to study because it can affect any one person regardless of gender, age, and ethnicity. There are several causes of this disease and even still new causes are being discovered every day as scientists are seeking new routes of treatment. Rheumatoid Arthritis affects specific parts of the body such as the synovial membrane, particular types of cells, the skeletal system, and the cartilage located throughout the body. There are treatments that look to prevent Rheumatoid Arthritis in the early stages. Future research holds new and improved possibilities for Rheumatoid Arthritis.