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You may have RA even though you don't have rheumatoid factor. In this case it is referred to as seronegative rheumatoid arthritis.
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Can a company discriminate against hiring a person if they have rheumatoid arthritis?
I don't exactly know what the laws are regarding this sort of thing, but if a company feels that a person has a disability that will interfere with their ability to do a job or show up for work and its reasonably founded then I think they can.
Legal issues regarding rheumatoid arthritis vs osteoarthritis?
Some people wil tryto hold their employers resonsible for some of natures handy work
Does Cymbalta work for RA?
Prescription Medications for Rheumatoid ArthritisAnti-depressants like Cymbalta are sometimes used to help block pain messages from getting to your brain. These medications actually help change the way your body interprets the joint pain of RA. Duloxetine (Cymbalta) is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
What is it means for arthritis panel in blood work?
If you have symptoms of joint pain and / or inflamation, you doctor may ask for blood work which could include an Arthritic (Arthritis) Profile.Arthritis Panel is a laboratory panel (a set of blood tests) that is used to diagnose arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. The following are tests that may be included in this panel:C-reactive ProteinRheumatoid FactorAntinuclear Antibody (ANA)Uric Acid TestErythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
Are rheumatoid arthritis drugs like Humira effective if taken sporadically?
No, these drugs (disease modifying drugs) like methotrexate and plaquinil work by causing changes in the immune system that reduce its ability to cause the inflammation that causes the damage done in Rheumatoid arthritis. There is however no cure for RA so if you stop the treatment the inflammation starts again. every time the inflammation stars again more damage is done to the joints and associated tissue.
Why do i get Allergic arthritis due to blood pressure tablets?
The exact causes of arthritis are not known. However allergy are an expression of the work done by the immune system and come with inflammation and some forms of arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis is also a result of inflammation.
Do proteolytic enzymes cause arthritis?
There is nothing available that suggest that Proteolytic Enzymes cause arthritis. as a matter of fact some work is being done that suggest that it may be useful in treating the disease and to relieve pain from rheumatoid arthritis.
Where can I buy a pair of raynauds gloves?
As researchers continue to work on the cause and cure for rheumatoid arthritis, it's important for you, the patient, to recognize the signs and symptoms of this.
Can a company discriminate against hiring a person if they have rheumatoid arthritis?
I don't exactly know what the laws are regarding this sort of thing, but if a company feels that a person has a disability that will interfere with their ability to do a job or show up for work and its reasonably founded then I think they can.
Why do arthritis attack people?
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic joint disease that damages the joints of the body. It is also a systemic disease that potentially affects internal organs of the body and leads to disability. The joint damage is caused by inflammation of the joint lining tissue. Inflammation is normally a response by the body's immune system to "assaults" such as infections, wounds, and foreign objects. In rheumatoid arthritis, the inflammation is misdirected to attack the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is often referred to as RA.The inflammation in the joints causes pain, stiffness, swelling, and loss of function.The inflammation often affects other organs and systems of the body, including the lungs, heart, and kidneys.If the inflammation is not slowed or stopped, it can permanently damage the affected joints and other tissues.Rheumatoid arthritis should not be confused with other forms of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis or arthritis associated with infections. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. This means that the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the tissues it is supposed to protect.The immune system produces specialized cells and chemicals, which are released into the bloodstream and begin to attack body tissues.This abnormal immune response causes inflammation and thickening of the membrane (synovium) that lines the joint. Inflammation of the synovium is called synovitis and is the hallmark of an inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis.As the synovitis expands inside and outside of the joint, it can damage the bone and cartilage of the joint and the surrounding tissues, such as ligaments, tendons, nerves, and blood vessels.Rheumatoid arthritis most often affects the smaller joints, such as those of the hands and/or feet, wrists, elbows, knees, and/or ankles, but any joint can be affected. The symptoms often lead to significant discomfort and disability.Many people with rheumatoid arthritis have difficulty carrying out normal activities of daily living, such as standing, walking, dressing, washing, using the toilet, preparing food, and carrying out household chores.The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis interfere with work for many people. As many as half of those with rheumatoid arthritis are no longer able to work 10-20 years after their condition is diagnosed.On average, life expectancy is somewhat shorter for people with rheumatoid arthritis than for the general population. This does not mean that everyone with rheumatoid arthritis has a shortened life span. Rheumatoid arthritis itself is not a fatal disease. However, it can be associated with many complications and treatment-related side effects that can contribute to premature death.Although rheumatoid arthritis most often affects the joints, it is a disease of the entire body. It can affect many organs and body systems besides the joints. Therefore, rheumatoid arthritis is referred to as a systemic disease.Musculoskeletal structures: Damage to muscles surrounding joints may cause atrophy (shrinking) that results in weakening. This is most common in the hands. Atrophy also may result from not using a muscle, usually because of pain or swelling. Damage to bones and tendons can cause deformities, especially of the hands and feet. Osteoporosis and carpal tunnel syndrome are other common complications of rheumatoid arthritis.Skin: Many people with rheumatoid arthritis develop small nodules on or near the joint that are visible under the skin. These rheumatoid nodules are most noticeable under the skin on the bony areas that stick out when a joint is flexed. Dark purplish areas on the skin (purpura) are caused by bleeding into the skin from blood vessels damaged by rheumatoid arthritis. Purpura is particularly common in those patients who have taken cortisone medication. This damage to the blood vessels is called vasculitis, and these vasculitic lesions also may cause skin ulcers.Heart: A collection of fluid around the heart (pericardial effusion) from inflammation is not uncommon in rheumatoid arthritis. This usually causes only mild symptoms, if any, but it can be very severe. Rheumatoid arthritis-related inflammation can affect the heart muscle, the heart valves, or the blood vessels of the heart (coronary arteries). Heart attacks are more frequent in patients with rheumatoid arthritis than those without it.Lungs: Rheumatoid arthritis' effects on the lungs may take several forms. Fluid may collect around one or both lungs and is referred to as a pleural effusion. Inflammation of the lining tissues of the lungs is known as pleuritis. Less frequently, lung tissues may become stiff or scarred, referred to as pulmonary fibrosis. Any of these effects can have a negative effect on breathing. Lung infections become more common.Digestive tract: The digestive tract is usually not affected directly by rheumatoid arthritis. Dry mouth, related to Sjögren's syndrome, is the most common symptom of gastrointestinal involvement. Digestive complications are much more likely to be caused by medications used to treat the condition, such as gastritis (stomach inflammation) or stomach ulcer caused by NSAID therapy. Any part of the digestive tract may become inflamed if the patient develops vasculitis, but this is uncommon. If the liver is involved, it may become enlarged and cause discomfort in the abdomen.Kidneys: The kidneys are not usually affected directly by rheumatoid arthritis. Kidney problems in rheumatoid arthritis are much more likely to be caused by medications used to treat the condition. Nevertheless, severe, long-standing disease can uncommonly lead to a form of protein deposition and damage to the kidney, referred to as amyloidosis.Blood vessels: Inflammation of the blood vessels can cause problems in any organ but is most common in the skin, where it appears as purple patches (purpura) or skin ulcers.Blood: Anemia or "low blood" is a common complication of rheumatoid arthritis. Anemia means that you have an abnormally low number of red blood cells and that these cells are low in hemoglobin, the substance that carries oxygen through the body. (Anemia has many different causes and is by no means unique to rheumatoid arthritis.) A low white blood cell count (leukopenia) can occur from Felty's syndrome, a complication of rheumatoid arthritis that is also characterized by enlargement of the spleen.Nervous system: The deformity and damage to joints in rheumatoid arthritis often lead to entrapment of nerves. Carpal tunnel syndrome is one example of this. Entrapment can damage nerves and may lead to serious consequences.Eyes: The eyes commonly become dry and/or inflamed in rheumatoid arthritis. This is a result of inflammation of the tear glands and is called Sjögren's syndrome. The severity of this condition depends on which parts of the eye are affected. There are many other eye complications of rheumatoid arthritis, including inflammation of the whites of the eyes (scleritis), that often require the attention of an ophthalmologist.Like many autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis typically waxes and wanes. Most people with rheumatoid arthritis experience periods when their symptoms worsen (known as flares or active disease) separated by periods in which the symptoms improve. With successful treatment, symptoms may even go away completely (remission, or inactive disease).About 1.3 million people in the United States are believed to have rheumatoid arthritis.About 75% of these are women. Women are two to three times more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis than men.Rheumatoid arthritis affects all ages, races, and social and ethnic groups.It is most likely to strike people 35-50 years of age, but it can occur in children, teenagers, and elderly people. (A similar disease affecting young people is known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.)Worldwide, about 1% of people are believed to have rheumatoid arthritis, but the rate varies among different groups of people. For example, rheumatoid arthritis affects about 5%-6% of some Native-American groups, while the rate is very low in some Caribbean peoples of African descent.The rate is about 2%-3% in people who have a close relative with rheumatoid arthritis, such as a parent, brother or sister, or child.Although there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, the disease can be controlled in most people. Early, aggressive therapy, soon after the initial diagnosis, is optimally targeted to stop or slow down inflammation in the joints can prevent or reduce symptoms, prevent or reduce joint destruction and deformity, and prevent or lessen disability and other complications.
What is the best over the counter medication for rheumatoid arthritis?
Over the counter medications work differently for everyone so sometimes it is better to try several types and see what works best for you after consulting your doctor. You can find extensive information about these medications at http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/rheumatoid-arthritis/DS00020/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs.
Legal issues regarding rheumatoid arthritis vs osteoarthritis?
Some people wil tryto hold their employers resonsible for some of natures handy work
What is inflammation surrounding a joint?
Inflammation is the work of the immune system one form of joint inflamation that is also a chronic immune disorder is known as Rheumatoid arthritis.
Is arthiritis a contraindication of massage?
There are many different types of arthritis. If it is rheumatoid arthritis you will want to avoid the joints that are involved if they are symptomatic (having a flare-up of inflammation). If it is osteoarthritis, then massage is fine as long as you work within their comfort level.
What can trigger rheumatoid arthritis?
There are all kinds of theory's such as stress for example or an infection in part of the body, or allergic reactions to particular foods or environments.however no one has been able to work this out as yet.
What are some treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis?
Decades ago, if a person were diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, the rheumatologist would tell that person that he or she would have a poor prognosis and would likely be disabled in in the future from the ravages of rheumatoid arthritis. Now, with modern medicine and the latest in research developments now making its breakthroughs tangible, having rheumatoid arthritis no longer means being crippled as one gets older. Medicines used for other purposes have now found usage in rheumatoid arthritis due to better understanding of the disease. New medications have also revolutionized the outlook of rheumatoid arthritis. The conservative treatments are always suggested first, such as using over the counter pain medications (NSAIDs, Tylenol) and heat/ice, but more physicians are beginning to use medications called DMARDs (disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs) earlier in the course of rheumatoid arthritis. The oral forms of these drugs range in type and indication, but the most common ones used are methotrexate, Plaquenil, leflunomide, sulfasalazine, and ciclosporine. Clinical studies have indicated that earlier, more aggressive usage of these medications can not only show earlier benefit, but also slow or even halt progression of rheumatoid completely. Corticosteroids are still used for rheumatoid flares, but most treatments are kept as short as possible because of their side effects. Patients started on oral steroids take a strong dose of steroids and gradually taper the dose until they are weaned off. For rheumatoid that has not been controlled with DMARDs on a regular basis, the new biologic agents have shown lots of promise in managing rheumatoid arthritis. These new agents work by blocking one of the biochemicals in the body that trigger inflammation. This halts an inflammatory cascade that causes a marked reduction in inflammation, and as a result decreases or even halts the immune system's attack on joints affected by rheumatoid arthritis. Such medications include etanercept, infliximab, and adalimumab. These medications have revolutionized the treatment and management of rheumatoid arthritis, but have its disadvantages as well. For one, it can only be taken as an injectible form because the stomach's acid degrades this product before it reaches the body. Another downside is the increased risk for infections. Though there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, there are many options available for managing the disease. However, with the current research in understanding this disease process, there is hope a better treatment or even a cure will be found.
The 7 Major Types of Rheumatoid Arthritis Medication?
Although no one knows what causes rheumatoid arthritis - a crippling disease that attacks bone and cartilage alike - certain medications have been developed that appear to relieve the symptoms of this debilitating condition. Anyone can develop rheumatoid arthritis, and, as the disease is, at present, idiopathic, no one knows what factors will make some people more likely to develop the condition than others. Rheumatoid arthritis manifests itself mainly in the hands, wrists and elbows, and, although there is no cure for the disease, limited relief can be obtained through the use of rheumatoid arthritis medication, the application of certain surgical procedures and the introduction of certain non-medical therapies like massage and exercise. Research has shown that the earlier rheumatoid arthritis medications are introduced, the more chance they have of slowing down the progression of the disease. Most cases of rheumatoid arthritis are, however, rather far advanced by the time they are detected and do not respond rapidly to treatment. The type of medications most often prescribed are the disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), which are also known as the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Popular DMARDs include Ibuprofen and Advil, which work by reducing inflammation, increasing mobility and decreasing pain. Further rheumatoid arthritis medications include the Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, which include Celebrex and which work towards reducing both pain and inflammation, and the group of drugs called disease modifying agents. Disease modifying agents work best when they form part of a medication regimen that involves several different drugs, and most work on the immune system to decrease inflammation. The most common disease modifying agents in use today include Rheumatrex, Arava and Imuran. Further medications that suppress rheumatoid arthritis comprise the immunomodulators, the interleukin receptor inhibitors, the glucocorticoids and the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors. While the immunomodulators like Orencia serve to decrease inflammation, the interleukin receptor inhibitors like Kineret serve to reduce pain. The glucocorticoids like Orasone serve to reduce the disease’s visible symptoms and, finally, the TNF inhibitors, like Humira, also decrease inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis sufferers would do well to stick to their medication as, all too often, these drugs provide the only source of relief for this debilitating disease.
