Rheumatoid Arthritis Research Papers

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 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

The occupational therapist can show client the way to redirect their pain and reduce its effect on daily

“Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of chronic arthritis that occurs in joints on both sides of the body, such as both hands, both wrists, or both knees. This symmetry helps distinguish rheumatoid arthritis from other types of arthritis”. If a joint is deemed as arthritic that means that there is inflammation within the joint. Inflammation within a joint can cause swelling, redness, warmth and pain within that joint. Rheumatoid arthritis primarily affects the joints, but may also affect the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, blood, or nerves. Rheumatoid arthritis can present itself in many different ways. For some, joint symptoms develop gradually over several years, while others may develop quickly. Some people are affected by rheumatoid arthritis for a short

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, systemic inflammatory autoimmune disease. The disease happens when the immune system mistakenly attacks a healthy tissue as if it was a foreign invader, such as a virus or bacteria. If left untreated it can lead to permanent joint damage, decrease in quality of life, and total disability. It affects over a million people in the U.S. alone. Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms include persistent joint inflammation which causes joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. Fatigue and stiffness are usually early symptoms. Joint pain can be an early symptom in a variety of diseases. Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis often develop slowly over a period of weeks or longer, but this is not always the case, it can have an acute

The main cause doctors have found is that the immune system attacks the human body and starts to destroy the bones (Arthritisorg, 2015). Because the body is sensing an attack, heavy swelling occurs. The inflammation, even though it is healthy to help recover and maintain homeostasis, leads to painful swelling. With too much inflammation, the synovial- the lining membrane that covers the joints- hardens, cartilage and ligaments are destroyed, and the structure of the bones loosens (Arthritisorg, 2015). In the bloodstream, researchers have found that patients with rheumatoid arthritis have a higher percentage of HLA (controls the immune system); have more STAT4 (regulates the immune system); and have more PTPN22 (develops rheumatoid arthritis) (Arthritisorg, 2015). Still today, doctors are trying to find more answers for this non-stopping

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the joints, most often in the hands and feet. It results in swelling, stiffness, pain, and sometimes joint, bone, and cartilage destruction. Rheumatoid arthritis usually affects joints on both sides of the body equally, meaning if a joint on one side is affected, the same joint on the opposite side is affected as well. Rheumatoid arthritis belongs to a group of diseases called autoimmune disorders that affects joints. In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system produces antibodies that attack the soft tissues lining of the joints. Eventually the cartilage, bone, and ligaments of the joint deteriorate, causing deformity, instability, and scarring within the joint

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a part of the lymphatic and immunity system. It is a form

Thank you Prianca for taking the time to share about the cytokines and their interaction in the inflammatory process of the Rheumatoid Arthritis. Indeed, the epidemiology incidence of Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is increasing every minute. Like you well explain above in your post, we have more than 1.3 million of people in the US affected with RA (Ruderman & Tambar, 2013) and 1 percent of the worldwide population is affected with RA (Lubberts & Berg, 2003). It seems like this epidemic is going to continue. 75 percent of that 1.3 million are women, and statistically, 1 of 3 women may get rheumatoid arthritis in their life. Rheumatoid arthritis can affect anybody at any age, but in most of the cases, the disease begins in the 40’s and 60’s (Ruderman & Tambar, 2013).

With rheumatoid arthritis there are many painful problems as well as symptoms and causes of this genetic disorder. First, the description of the disorder is how painful it can be. The painful swelling can lead to bone erosion, which means that the bone will wear away. Next, the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis can be hard on the body. You could have fatigue (extreme tiredness), a fever, or weight loss. As well, you can have morning stiffness which can last for hours. Lastly, some causes of the disorder are that the immune system attacks the synovium which is the lining of the membrane that surrounds your joints. In other words, what happens is the synovium inflames which destroys the cartilage and bone in the joint. As you can see rheumatoid arthritis has many painful problems, symptoms and causes.

Joint care can be done by use of assistive devices to reduce strain on your joints, such as special door knobs, kitchen tools, and braces. Pacing oneself as to not overusing a single joint will help reduce joint pain. Keeping the affected joint warm with use of heating pads, electric blankets, or soaking in warm water are a few examples of accessible solutions for joint care. Hot tubs are also another solution to promote family involvement in joint care albeit expensive, heated pools are another family activity that can

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.

Since rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease, it can also affect other organs and tissues, but it primarily attacks the joints in a symmetrical fashion. Rheumatoid arthritis develops from an abnormal immune response caused by exposure to an antigen, in a patient that is genetically susceptible. Autoantibodies develop and attack the patient’s cartilage and synovial tissues once the antigen exposure has occurred (Nelson, 2011). One of the most common

The immune system helps protect the body from foreign substances and infections that could potentially harm it. One byproduct of the immune system that can cause Arthritis is the inflammatory process. “Two important components of the immune system that play a role in the inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis are B and T cells, both of which belong to a family of immune cells called lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell” (Maryland). The T and B cells flow in the bloodstream searching for substances that are not part of the body. If the T cell notices a foreign substance it will secrete a chemical that allows the B cells to release protein to the area with the foreign substance. These proteins fight against the virus and rid it

Arthritis is a joint disorder, which affects one or several joints in the body. The condition has more than one hundred types of diseases with osteoarthritis being the most common. Osteoarthritis results from joint infection, or age. Patients that suffer from arthritis complain about pain in the joints. In most cases, the pain remains constant in the affected joint. It is worth noting, “The pain from arthritis is due to inflammation that occurs around the joint, damage to the joint from disease, daily wear and tear of joint, muscle strains caused by forceful movements against stiff painful joints and fatigue” (Reid, Shengelia & Parker, 2012, p. 40). However, joint pain could result from various diseases, and in such