Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
When your joints begin hurting
Rheumatoid Arthritis is a disease that occurs when the cartilage that is protecting your joints wears off and your joints begin to hurt. If this disease isn't treated or isn't treated properly, this disease could cause deformities (pictured below).
What body system does RA affect?
RA affects the skeletal system due to the fact that it has to do with your joints hurting. Usually when our skeletal system is functioning regularly it will benefit our bodies. It will help our body by supporting our body, allowing us to move, and protecting the important organs that we need in order to survive.
What type of people typically get RA?
Rheumatoid Arthritis typically targets females more than males. Usually elderly people get RA, but there have been some times when younger kids have gotten it. This disease targets all types of people.
Is there any way that I can avoid getting RA?
So far, research has not yet shown how people get RA besides overworking the joints. There have been some theories that it runs in families, but these theories have yet to be confirmed.
How Is a Doctor Going to Diagnose RA?
Typically, a doctor will realize that you are in pain when bending your joints or that you have deformities in your joint area. Even though your doctor might see these things, Rheumatoid Arthritis is usually very difficult to diagnose and may take some time. It may take some time because there is no test that can tell the doctors whether or not you have Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms, Signs & Diagnosis | StreamingWell.com
What are Some of the Signs & Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis?
- feeling sluggish
- minor fevers
- not being hungry
- dryness of the mouth or eyes
- lumps directly underneath the skin
What is the Treatment Like for RA?
So far, researchers have found no cure to Rheumatoid Arthritis. So the only treatment is to dull the symptoms, and the medicine that is required for that is usually ibuprofen and aspirin.
Is there any chance of mortality with RA?
There is no chance of mortality with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Your life expectancy will stay the same if you are diagnosed. There are long term effects though:
- swelling
- warmth
- pain
- trouble moving
My dad has a similar condition in his feet. He doesn't have Rheumatoid Arthritis, but he has another type of arthritis.