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Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain
Rheumatoid arthritis also differs because it of more prominent tissue swelling, pain in multiple joints, and greater inflammation. For example, you might easily develop osteoarthritis in one hand or one knee, but with rheumatoid arthritis there will be multiple joints involved.
The Nature of Rheumatoid ArthritisRheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder, meaning that something causes your body's immune system to react and begin producing substances that attack the joints of the body. Like most autoimmune disorders, it attacks other tissues in the body and can affect the skin, heart, lungs, muscles and blood vessels.Individual cases vary, but usually one side of the body is more affected than the other early in the disease, but the pain will become more symmetrical as the arthritis advances. In addition to pain, there is a great deal of stiffness and restricted mobility in the joints.
Diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis PainFollowing are some criteria for a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis * Arthritis noted on one side of the body* Arthritis in the joints of the hand * Morning stiffness lasting over an hour after awakening * Symptoms for at least six weeks * Presence of nodules under the skin * Imaging results uggesting erosion in the joint tissue * Soft-tissue swelling in at least 3 of 14 joint groups * A feeling of warmth around the joint *Deformity in the joint over time A blood test will also be done to check for an antibody called rheumatoid factor. If it is present at a high level, this strongly suggests a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. Does RA Progress?The progression of rheumatoid arthritis varies a lot from person to person. For most people, the disease progresses over the course of their life. If the doctor finds rheumatoid nodules under the skin, that tends to suggest a poor prognosis.Studies have shown that a majority of people with rheumatoid arthritis pain aren't able to conduct their day-to-day activities as they have in the past. A lot of people with RA are not able to work, as many as 50% of them are disabled after ten years with the disease. Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain ManagementEarly diagnosis and treatment is very important. Starting treatment early gives you the best chance of maintaining function, limiting joint damage, and continuing to live an active lifestyle. You also reduce the chance that you might need joint replacement surgery somewhere down the line.Treatment is likely to include
rheumatoid arthritis pain medication
as well as a more holistic plan for
RA pain relief.
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Rheumatoid arthritis, known to those familiar with it as RA, is a chronic disease marked by inflammation and pain in the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis pain differs from osteoarthritis in that pain and stiffness is usually worst in the morning when you get up, while osteoarthritis pain gets worse over the course of day as the joints get used.
