People of all ages can suffer with this disease, including
children. Women account for about 70% of all rheumatoid arthritis
cases and most are first affected between the ages of 30 and 50.
Though men are less likely to contract the disease, when they do, their
symptoms tend to be worse.
Because rheumatoid arthritis may be quite debilitating, lifestyles can
be seriously affected.
During the early stages of the disease,
those afflicted will notice some discomfort and stiffening as the
lining of the joints become inflamed. This can begin to make
simple routine tasks, such as opening a jar, difficult. You may
also notice flu-like symptoms or discomfort from prolonged
sitting.
As the disease progresses, nodules may appear of affected areas,
indicating more severe disease activity. As the joint linings
thicken, damage may occur to ligaments, tendons, cartilage, or bones,
making movement very difficult.
While a host of other symptoms may prevail, controlling them is of the
utmost importance for any rheumatoid arthritis sufferer. Though
no one knows what causes this chronic disease, there are a number of
treatment options available.
Patients should first secure the help of a licensed rheumatologist who
can coordinate an ongoing regimen for controlling the disease and
lessening its symptoms. They’ll most likely prescribe medications
from the main categories of drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis
including; 1)NSAIDs – which include aspirin, ibuprofen, and other
over-the-counter drugs that reduce pain and inflammation; 2) Analgesic
drugs – used just for pain; 3) Prednisone (or similar drugs) - to
reduce joint inflammation; 4) Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs –
taken with NSAIDs or Prednisone to slow joint destruction; 5) Biologic
response modifiers – used to modify the immune system; and 6) Protein-A
Immuoadsorption Therapy – not a drug, but a therapy that filters your
blood to remove antibodies and immune complexes that promote
inflammation.
While many arthritis drugs have been under fire as of late and a few
have been taken off the market, there are still many options available
to improve the lifestyle of those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis,
allowing them to continue with the daily tasks that those without the
disease make take for granted.
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