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Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms |
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One of the forms of arthritis commonly occurring among
persons aged 60 and above, rheumatoid arthritis is a result of a defective
immune system which turns on the body in reaction to a particular stimulus.
In this regard, it is not unlike an allergy where the immune system, after
being exposed to an allergen, reacts by attacking the body. However, while
allergic reactions are often characterized by runny nose and itchy eyes, the
most common of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms is pain and inflammation of the
joints.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that causes an autoimmune response in the
body, leading to permanent, painful changes in the joints. The pain is often
chronic and progressive – meaning it can only get worse as the disease
progresses. Fortunately for patients experiencing rheumatoid arthritis
symptoms, there are many treatment options available to help them cope.
Also, understanding the disease and recognizing the common rheumatoid
arthritis symptoms may also help as early detection is often the key to
halting the disease from worsening even further.
Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis
The first thing you need to learn about rheumatoid arthritis is that it
affects the joints. The joints are the intersection of two bones, like the
ones in your elbows and knees. To prevent these bones from scraping each
other, their ends are coated with a smooth, durable substance called a
cartilage, which allows the bones to glide over each other with very little
friction as well as provides cushioning for absorption of forces, like
gravity acting on your weight when you jump.
The entire area around your joint is covered by a structure called the joint
capsule. Inside this joint capsule is a synovial membrane that contains a
viscous substance similar to oil. This substance is called synovial fluid
and it is responsible for transporting nutrients to the cartilage and keeps
its surface well lubricated.
Now, with the way rheumatoid arthritis symptoms work, this well-balanced
process that occurs within the joint capsule - between the synovial fluid
and the cartilage, the joint and the synovial membrane – is disrupted
causing your joints to go haywire. The autoimmune defect will cause healthy
living cells to get attacked, causing the destruction of several of the
structures surrounding the joints, leading to swelling, inflammation, and
pain.
Determining Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms
Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms mostly affect women. In studies conducted, the
disease is said to occur to women three times more often than men. The
rheumatoid arthritis symptoms first appear in the small joints first. This
means it occurs first in the hands and feet. In addition, the rheumatoid
arthritis symptoms also appear bilaterally and are often worse in the
morning or after rest.
Next to pain, the most common rheumatoid arthritis symptoms are the
occurrence of subcutaneous rheumatoid nodules. These are firm masses the
size of a pea, typically made up of inflammatory by products and scar
tissue. Contrary to what many believe, nodules are not painful. These are
probably the most visible of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms as they can occur
anywhere in the body, including elbows, back of the forearms, ankles, or the
back of the skull.
If you notice these rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, it is advised that you
consult your doctor at once for proper diagnosis and treatment. |
| This article
is provided courtesy of Roxanne Courtmanch. Please visit
www.thehelpingcircle.com for more articles on arthritis
as well as many other topics that may be of interest to you.
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