Are your symptoms Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune chronic disease, occurs more often in women, where joints are always affected. It can involve different parts of the body. When the disease is active it causes the inflammation of joints. Inflammation happens, when the immune response responds to an infection or threats, however in the case of rheumatoid arthritis, it occurs for unknown reasons.

Our immune system is designed to protect our body against any things which harm us, such as infections or threats.  Autoimmune disease is when our immune system starts attacking our self, mistaking body tissues for foreign invaders.

Symptoms and Signs:

People with Rheumatoid Arthritis have: commonly feel unwell and tiered, “Morning stiffness” it takes the patient more than an hour or sometimes several hours before their joints feel loose. Joint swelling, Joint redness, Joint deformity, Joint warmth, Joint tenderness, Pain, Fatigue, and Both sides of the body affected (symmetric).

Treatment:

There is no cure for RA, but there are medications that reduce inflammation in joints, relieve pain, and prevent joint damage.  

Medication:

These drugs can relieve pain, reduce inflammation, slow the progression of RA, and save the joints and other tissues from permanent damage.

•  Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Corticosteroid medications: Prednisone
• Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs):  Methotrexate, Arava, and Plaquenil
• Biologic agents: Humira, Cimzia, Enbrel, Simponi (This type is most effective when paired with a nonbiologic DMARD, such as Arava)

These medication may cause sides effects, such as ringing in your ears, stomach irritation, heart problems, liver and kidney damage, thinning of bones, weight gain and diabetes.