What forms of rheumatoid arthritis?

Answer 1

RA is a disease that is often accompanied by a high Rheumatoid factor (RF), however a person can have RA with no RF at all. When this happens it is described as "seronegative rheumatoid arthritis".

RA is an autoimmune disease where the body's own immune system attacks tissue It can cause joint damage, chronic pain, loss of function and disability of joints.

This type of Arthritis is a long term chronic illness that can stay with people for many years or life.

Symptoms

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease of undetermined etiology involving primarily the synovial membranes and articular structures of multiple joints. The disease is often progressive and results in pain, stiffness, and swelling of joints. In late stages deformity and ankylosis develop.

The symptomsInvolving joints,d nerves and muscles of RA are as follows.

Joint pain

Joint swelling

Joint stiffness

Morning joint stiffness

Joint stiffness after inactivity

Joint tenderness

Warm joints

Ankle arthritis

Symmetrical joint pattern - both sides of the body afflicted.

Weight loss

Fatigue

Decreased appetite

Occasional fever

Bouts of mild fever

Episodic flares with remissions

Variable symptoms - different people experience different effects

Skin bumps (rheumatoid nodules) - about 25% of cases get these

Anemia

Neck pain

Dry eyes

Dry mouth

Tiredness

Afternoon fatigue

Joint involvement is typically polyarticular and symmetrical, (happens in more then one joint at a a time and often affects the same joints on opposite sides of the body.) usually sparing the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints. Joint involvement and inflammation is evinced by the following:

Edema

Effusion

Warmth

Tenderness to palpation

Destruction of joint in advanced stages

other symptoms may manifest themselves in the skin and other organs of the body.

Subcutaneous rheumatoid nodules,

Swan-neck deformities,

Boutonniere deformities,

Ulnar deviation of fingers at MCP joints in advanced stages.

RA a is a systemic disease, that means its inflammation can affect other organs and areas of the body. RA can cause Inflammation of the glands, eyes and mouth the result being dryness of these areas, This is known as Sjogren's syndrome. Rheumatoid inflammation can also lead to pain in the chest with deep breathing. this is the result of inflammation of the lung lining, pleuritis.it can also lead to shortness of breath, or coughing. Lung tissue becoming inflamed can lead to them being scarred and coughing. rheumatoid nodules can sometimes develop in the lungs. Inflammation of the tissue (pericardium) surrounding the heart, called pericarditis, can cause a chest pain that typically changes in intensity when lying down or leaning forward. RA can also lead to anemia. Decreased white cells can be associated with an enlarged spleen (referred to as Felty's syndrome) and can increase the risk of infections. Rheumatoid nodules can occur under the skin around the elbows and fingers where there is frequent pressure. Even though these nodules usually do not cause symptoms, occasionally they can become infected. Nerves can become pinched in the wrists to cause carpal tunnel syndrome. A rare, serious complication, usually with long-standing rheumatoid disease, is blood vessel inflammation (vasculitis). Vasculitis can impair blood supply to tissues and lead to tissue death (necrosis). This is most often initially visible as tiny black areas around the nail beds or as leg ulcers.

Answer 2

Stage I: The synovial membrane becomes hyperemic and edematous with foci of infiltrating small lymphocytes;Joint effussions w/ high cell count (5,000 to 60,000 per mm3)X-rays will not yet show any destructive changes, but soft tissue swelling or steoporosis may be seen. ---- Stage II: inflammed synovial tissue now proliferates & begins to grow into joint cavity across articular cartilage, which it gradually destroys; narrowing of joint due to loss of articular cartilage; ---- Stage III: pannus of Synovium;eroded articular cartilage & exposed sub-chondral bone;x-rays will show extensive cartilage loss, erosions around the marginsof joint, and deformities may have become apparent; ---- Stage IV: end stage disease; inflammatory process is subsiding; fibrous or bony ankylosing of joint will end its functional life;subcutaneous nodules associated w/ severe disease; ----

Answer 3

Osteoarthritis:

Early Stage

The first sign that osteoarthritis is occurring can be seen when the cartilage that cover the bones and create a cushion for your joints begin to thin out. Cartilage and lubricating fluid between the joint allows to move easily and painlessly. However a combination of age, excessive use, and some times a genetic tendency to develop osteoarthritis can cause cartilage to wear down prematurely. Cartilage itself has no nerves however as the cartilage thins and disappears friction starts to affect the bones accompanied by pain and this is when the symptoms of osteoarthritis begin

In the early stage of osteoarthritis treatment involves staying active while taking it easy on affected joints. Losing weight also helps a lot, if that is an option, by reducing stress on joints. Rest is also useful in helping pain go away

Mid stage

As this condition progresses, however, rather then loosening up in the morning, pain worsens as the day goes on. Sudden catching or giving way of knee joints is common. Worn hip and knee joints may become painful even to stand on. When cartilage is worn out down, the bones below thicken and reactive tissue or known as bony spurs form along joints margins. The pain involved in this can lead to a situation where activity is decreased leading to muscles weakening and as a result worsening the situation because they no longer support the effected joints as well. However even at this point it is best to keep moving as much as possible as this will help in relieving some of the symptoms.

The most commonly used medications at this point would usually be nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen. NSAIDs are effective in relieving osteoarthritis pain and decreasing joint swelling and inflammation; however the down side with these is that they may cause stomach irritation.

Final Stage

In the final stage of this condition all the joint structures are affected. Healthy lubricating fluid is lost and the joint may fill with inflammatory fluids that stretch the joint capsule. This brings about swelling, stiffness and more pain. In some situations where stronger painkillers will not be effective replacement of the joint may be the best option.

Osteoarthritis is a progressive disease and can not be cured, however with proper medical guidance a lot can be done to keep the symptoms of this disease under control

Answer 4

The first symptoms of RA are generally sore joints in several places at the same time often the joints are inflamed and warm to the touch, Another peculiarity is that the same joints on opposite sides of the body often tend to be affected at the same time.

Answer 5

The symptoms of this condition may vary from person to person, but here are some signs to look out for. Locking or aching joints, stiffness, foot problems, (not skin related) and tingling or numb hands. More information on this topic can be found here, www.medicinenet.com/rheumatoid_arthritis/article.htm

Answer 6

There are more then a 100 types of arthritis, rheumatic diseases and related conditions. to get more information on these go to the related link below (Rheumatic diseases)

Answer 7

Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include: Joint pain and swelling, stiffness, especially in the morning or after sitting for long periods and fatigue.