Rheumatoid Arthritis And Its Effects

Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease that affects whole systems of body particularly cardiovascular system, nerves, respiratory system (RACGP, 2009). The causes of rheumatoid arthritis are unknown but it is hereditary which assists to have a risk of rheumatoid arthritis by 50%-60% (RACGP, 2009).

Rheumatoid arthritis can occur in all races and ethnic groups. Although the disease often begins in middle age and

Rheumatoid Arthritis(RA) is the most common type of autoimmune arthritis. RA is a progressive and debilitating musculoskeletal disorder that affects the joints symmetrically, causing a range of systemic effects. What it causes is still not well known; nevertheless, findings of new research points towards a believe that it is triggered by a defective immune system, which causes the release of inflammatory chemicals. These chemicals cause damage to cartilage and bone, usually affecting the wrists, the joints of the hand, including the knuckles, the middle joints of the fingers and feet. While this condition can affect any joints, besides, important body organs such as the eyes and the lungs can also be affected by the inflammation that occurs as a result of this chronic condition. Only in America 1.3 million of people are affected by this ailment, and 75 % of them are mainly women. Its onset usually occurs between fourth and sixth decades; however, RA can occur at any age("Diseases And

Rheumatoid Arthritis has been subject of numerous studies and researches in the look for a better understanding of how it effects the individuals diagnosed with it. There is a higher incident of females diagnosed with RA than male as well as a relationship with genetic and environmental factors involved. Around one percent of the world population is affected by RA; therefore, diverse studies have been performed to understand how the lives of the diagnosed patients can be impacted by the disease. For example, how RA affects the mobility, safety and activities of daily living in general as well as the development of interventions to better approach RA. On

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

Many people all over the world may have rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that affects the small joints in the hands and feet (Mayoclinicorg, 2015). It is also an autoimmune disease, where the immune system sees the body as a foreign object and attacks it (Mayoclinicorg, 2015). As the chronic disorder matures, it could seep into the blood vessels and into other organs: heart, lungs, skin, and eyes (Mayoclinicorg, 2015). This chronic pain is found mostly in women around forty to sixty years old; however, men with low testosterone could also have the chronic disorder (Mayoclinicorg, 2015). Because smokers burn off certain cells to prevent infection, they are also at risk for rheumatoid arthritis. This

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease that is characterized by inflammation and destruction of the joints (1). It usually affects joints asymmetrically, or on both sides of the body

Although, RA was a very common disease in ancient history. Arthritis and diseases of the joints have been plaguing mankind since ancient times. According to Choy (2013), “In around 1500 BC Ebers Papyrus described a condition that is similar to rheumatoid arthritis” (p.3). This is one of the first references to this disease. Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease was well-known in Egypt because of the evidence found while researching Egyptian mummies. Researchers found that RA was a common disease in ancient times due to lack of nutrition and lack of healthcare (Choy, 2013, p.4). In ancient times, treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis included bloodletting and leeching, which would likely lead to a variety of other health concerns. Next, Choy (2013) states, “The Far East developed practices of acupuncture, acupressure, and moxibustion” (Choy, 2013, p.3). Moxibustion means the use of heat. In the past, RA was also treated with plant extracts of Willow bark and leaves. These leaves contained silicon, and this relieved other arthritis pains for patients. Today, treatment changed to pharmaceutical medications named

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systematic inflammatory disease characterized by synovitis (constant inflammation of the synovial membranes) and autoantibodies. The disease that affects 0.5-1.0% of all adults in industrialized countries, mostly women and elderly people (Scott et al, 2010). In the United States, more than 1.5 million people suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, making it one of the most common auto-immune disease (Carmona et al. 2010). According to the Arthritis Foundation, individuals who suffer from arthritis have to deal with joint pain, morning stiffness, fatigue, loss of appetite, depressive symptoms, and low-grade fever which can last a few days to weeks. Individuals with this disease tend to have a low-quality of life and difficulties with day-to-day activities.

Rheumatoid Arthritis known as RA is an autoimmune disease which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the joints. In a healthy individual the immune system protects by attacking foreign substances like bacteria and viruses. When this happens the body will create inflammation that causes the tissue that lines the inside of the joints known as the synovium to thicken, which creates swelling and pain around the joints. If the individual is to go a prolong period without treatment for RA it can damage the cartilage and over time the loss of cartilage the joint can then become loose, unstable, painful and most lose their mobility. Joint deformation can occur and the damage to the joint cannot be reversed.

Rheumatoid Arthritis or (RA) is an autoimmune disease that attacks the joints and connective tissue. The result is inflammation that produces permanent damage in the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic syndrome that tends to be progressive and destructive as compared to Osteoarthritis or (OA), which is more of an age related disease caused by “wear and tear” of the joints. In contrast to (OA), rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by inflammation mostly of the joints, but is a general body disease.

According to Majithia & Geraci (2007), rheumatoid arthritis is defined as a progressive inflammatory autoimmune disease that produces pain, oedema, redness, warmth and stiffness in the joint and may lead to joint distortion. Moreover, permanent loss of joint function, disability, joint dislocation and fibrous and bones ankylosis are the common complications of Rheumatoid arthritis (Gibofsky, 2012). Rheumatoid arthritis may last from months to lifelong and symptoms might worsen or improve over time (Gibofsky, 2012). The common sites of RA are wrists, hands, knees, ankles, and feet (Choy, 2012).

The first question this article asks is…what is arthritis? As I stated above, Arthritis, is a painful and sometime degenerating joint disease characterized by pain, swelling around one or many joints. It is most common among senior citizen although as you read from my own testimony, children and young adults are not exempt. Some of the well-known types of arthritis include RA, “Oste/o”, (bone) psoriatic, commonly known as a skin disease along with the pain and inflammation associated with general arthritis. Lastly, Psoriatic arthritis is classified as an autoimmune

So far, researchers have found genetic and environmental factors to play the largest role in the causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis. (“Early treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is important,” 2016). Researchers have found that the genetic makeup of a person can help pre-determine if a person will be diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, and even goes on to pre-determine how intense the disease will affect the individual. Although the environmental factors are still being researched, scientist are beginning to believe that there is an environmental trigger that happens to bring on the onset of Rheumatoid Arthritis in an individual. (Vital, Communications, & Liaison, 2016) It is found that hormones also play a role in the development of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Research followed this theory once Rheumatoid Arthritis began appearing more in women than in

Background: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune and inflammatory disease featuring progressive joint damage leading to functional impairment and disability (1). RA is classified as a progressive systemic disease due to the extra-articular manifestations involving the lungs and eyes but beginning and principally affecting the synovial joints (1). RA patients present with a wide array of joint functional impairment with persistent disease activity (1). RA affects approximately 0.8% of the general population with a peak onset between 40-70 years and affects females 3 times more than males (2). Additionally, due to the disabling nature of RA, it imposes a reduced and disabling quality of life whilst also posing a huge economic burden on the individual, the community and society (3).