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Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an Autoimmune disease. It is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disorder that may affect many tissues and organs, but mainly affects the joints.
697 Questions
What causes an elevated sed rate of 129?
It is usually an indication of inflammation or swelling. Arthritis etc. The sedimentation rate (sed rate) blood try-out measures how quickly red blood cell (erythrocytes) settle in a exam tube in one hour. When inflammation is present within the body, certain proteins grounds red blood cells to stick together and slump more quickly than ordinary to the bottom of the tube. The more red cells that tip out to the bottom of a special test tube surrounded by one hour, the higher the sed rate.
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate is 37 then what is its effect on body?
Erythrocytes sedimentation rate (ESR), Westergren method,(Sed Rate) is blood test measures how quickly red blood cells (erythrocytes) settle in a test tube. The more red cells that fall to the bottom of a special test tube in one hour, the higher the sed rate.
When inflammation is present in the body, certain proteins cause red blood cells to stick together and fall more quickly than normal to the bottom of the tube. These proteins are produced by the liver and the immune system under many abnormal conditions, such as an infection, an autoimmune disease, and cancer. There are many possible causes of an elevated sedimentation rate. For this reason, a sed rate blood test is done with other tests to confirm a diagnosis. Once a sed rate blood test is conducted, the course of the disease or the effectiveness of treatment can be monitored.
The normal sedimentation rate (Westergren method) for males is 0-15 millimeters per hour, and for females is 0-20 millimeters per hour. The sedimentation rate can be slightly more elevated in the elderly and is much lower for children.
What does sedimentation rate 64.9 mean?
Erythrocytes sedimentation rate (ESR) Westergren method. An ESR of 64.9 indicatesthat you have an elevated sedimentation rate and that you have a problem with inflammation. it does not however indicate what the cause of the inflammation is.
The normal sedimentation rate (Westergren method) for males is 0-15 millimeters per hour, and for females is 0-20 millimeters per hour. The sedimentation rate can be slightly more elevated in the elderly and is much lower for children.
A sedimentation rate is blood test that can detect and monitors inflammation in the body.
It is a measurement of the red blood cells (erythrocytes) settling in a tube over a given period of time. this test is referred to as an ESR.
Red blood cells settle in the bottom of the test tube given time leaving leaving the blood serum visible above. The sedimentation rate is simply how far the top of the RBC (Red Blood Cell) layer has fallen (in millimeters) in one hour. The sedimentation rate increases with more inflammation.
Anti-CCP, which stands for anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody, is a new blood test that helps doctors confirm a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.
Anti-CCP is a test that can be ordered during the diagnostic evaluation of people that may have rheumatoid arthritis. If it is found at a moderate to high level, it confirms the diagnosis and may also indicate that the patient is at increased risk for damage to the joints, as lower levels of this antibody are less significant. Previous to this the rheumatoid factor (RF) was measured to help confirm a diagnosis.
How serious is a 87.6 percent rheumatoid factor?
A rheumatoid factor of 87.6 is quite high. When a doctor sees the symptoms of RA they automatically check for RF because it is a good indicator that that is the problem when taking the symptoms into account. However you don't need any RF at all to be suffering from RA. When this happens it is described as "seronegative rheumatoid arthritis".The only thing that should really worry you is that you use whatever means possible to control the inflammation that often accompanies this.
- An RF of more than 23 units and a titer over than 1:80 can indicate rheumatoid arthritis but may also occur in other conditions.
- A negative test result for rheumatoid factor does notnecessarily exclude the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.
What chronic diseases are disabilities?
There are many chronic diseases that can disable people Arthritis is just one of them.
Does Rheumatoid arthiritis cause WBC to be 26?
No on the contrary
Normal white blood cell count is about 4.3 to 8.10. White blood cells can go down from many conditions and certain medications. The main purpose of WBCs is to fight infection so if they are decreased your body may not be able to fight off infections. Some cause include:
1. Viral infections
2. Congenital disorders
3. Cancer
4. Autoimmune disorders such as Rheumatoid arthritis.
5. Overwhelming infections that use up white blood cells faster than they can be produced
6. Drugs that destroy white blood cells
The underlying cause for low WBC count needs to be found in order to determine treatment.
Where was the word rheumatoid arthritis derived from?
Rheumatoid comes from the term "rheuma" which meaning "a substance that flows". Upuntil the 1800's rheumatoid arthritis, was thought to be caused when "humours", substances that were thought to flow through the body stopped in certain parts of our body, such as joints in the case of arthritis,(Arthritis, from Greek arthro-, joint + -itis, inflammation) bringing about pain and swelling.
What is prognosis of disc degeneration without surgery?
Hard to say It would all have to depend on the discs involved and the nerves that pass between them. However the body does not repair damaged discs can grow spurs and cause increasing disability.
What is zeta sedimentation rate?
A "zeta sed ratio" (ZSR) is a measurement much like the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) but has several advantages. It is not affected by anemia and responds in a linear manner to increase in fibrinogen and/or gamma globulin. The normal ZSR range is the same for both sexes. In a ZSR, a test sample of blood is contained within a vertically-oriented capillary tube, and this is then subjected to four cycles of dispersion and compaction. The hematocrit of the blood in the red cell-containing portion of the capillary tube is measured. This hematocrit, a measure of the closeness with which red cells will approach each other under a standardized stress, is the ZSR.
What is the difference between rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis?
also known as degenerative arthritis is a non inflammatory condition, primarily caused by damage as a result of wear and tear, trauma or disease happening to the cartilage of the joint. It often happens when a bone thickens to compensate for the deterioration of the normally smooth cartilage becoming rough with age. It normally affects elderly people but can also be found in teenagers. It commonly involves knees, fingers and hips. The fact that it is called non inflammatory however does not mean that there is no inflammation involved, it just means that the inflammation is not the cause of the problem.
is a chronic, systemic illness involves inflammation, distraction of cartilage bone and muscle stiffness and deformity of the joints. RA is an autoimmune disease, In the case of RA inflammation is the result of the body's own immune system mistakenly attacking cartilage in the joints and in some cases other organs such as the heart, eyes lungs and epidermis.
Is the Osteoarthritis index normed for rheumatoid arthritis?
OSteo and rheumatoid arthritiswhile both destructive to joints are completely different diseases.
What system is damaged by rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis mostly just damages your joints. RA can also damage the Brain lungs, eyes, skin veins and arteries and many other parts of the body. RA is an autoimmune disease, the cause is as jut not known. there is treatment available to slow the progress of the disease but in 2011 there is still no cure.
Can rheumatoid arthiritis cause drop foot?
Rheumatoid Vasculitis (RV) is one of the unusual complication of longstanding, severe rheumatoid arthritis. The active vasculitis associated with rheumatoid disease occurs in about 1% of this patient population. Nerve damage can cause foot or wrist drop, "mononeuritis multiplex".
How long does it take for arthritis to show up on xrays?
It all depends on how serious the problem turns out to be. as the cartilage wears the bones of the joints come closer together or in time spurs may form which are a build up of bone where bone is wearing onto bone. that which shows up on xrays is the result of the damage done by arthritis. For example I have Rheumatoid arthritis and it took about 3 years from the time that I did not have a problem with my right elbow to the time I had to have it totally replaced. However I Have many other parts that still seem to be working fine.
Rheumatism is a non-specific term used to describe any painful disorder affecting the loco-motor system including joints, muscle" class='external' title="http://www.answers.com/topic/muscle, connective tissue" class='external' title="http://www.answers.com/topic/connective tissue, soft tissue" class='external' title="http://www.answers.com/topic/soft tissue around the joints and bones. The term rheumatism is also used to describe rheumatic fever affecting heart valves. However, the medical profession use specific terms to describe rheumatological disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis" class='external' title="http://www.answers.com/topic/rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis" class='external' title="http://www.answers.com/topic/ankylosing spondylitis, gout" class='external' title="http://www.answers.com/topic/gout and discoid lupus erythematosus" class='external' title="http://www.answers.com/topic/discoid lupus erythematosus and so on in the medical literature.
(Anwers.com)
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Avascular Necrosis
Behçet's Syndrome
Bursitis
Cervical Spondylosis
CREST Syndrome
Dupuytren's Disease
Fibromyalgia
Gout
Lupus
Infectious Arthritis
Neurogenic Arthropathy
Polymyalgia Rheumatica / Giant Cell Arteritis
Pseudogout
Psoriatic Arthritis
Reactive Arthritis
Reiter's Syndrome
Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Scleroderma
Sjögren's Syndrome
Spondylitis
Still's Disease
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Tendinitis / Tendonitis
Vasculitis
Wegener's Granulomatosis
What does it mean If your sedimentation rate has gone down after taking prednisone?
Prednisone is a steroidal anti inflammatory. that is often prescribed in the case of inflammatory diseases like Rheumatoid arthritis. When this is prescribed by a doctor he will generally order an ESR , (erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), also called a sedimentation rate or Biernacki Reaction) this is a test that works out how quickly red blood cells settle over a given period of time. The higher the rate of settlement the higher the inflammation. Therefore if your ESR has gone down it would indicate the prednisone is doing the job and perhaps the dosage can be gradually lowered,
Does rheumatoid arthritis cause your bones to crack a lot?
No not as far as I am aware although People that are being treated for RA may suffer from some bone density reduction. it is more the result of treatment then anything else I would suggest you look into osteoporosis for answers about that particular problem and in any case consult your doctor about it.
What is the best pain meds for Rhematiod arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks cartilage and other tissue around joints and at times in other places. The best way to relieve the pain of RA it is to reduce or eliminate the inflammation that is a part of the disease. This is generally done using non steroidal anti inflammatory s , steroidal anti inflammatory's or disease modifying drugs that change the underlying process that causes the inflammation in the first place. If the damage has moved beyond the inflamation stage and it is a matter of bone on bone then any normal analgesic will do the same job, or if the problem is really severe then it may be a good idea to get pain killers prescribed by your doctor. In any case the anti inflammatory and the disease modifying drugs I mentined earlier also need a doctors prescription. You should keep in mind that RA is a serious ailment and should be treated as soon as possible as it is a chronic disorder that will cause serious damage to your body over time if left untreated.
Does Rheumatoid Arthritis cause chronic dry mouth and throat?
Yes aside from Rheumatoid Arthritis dry mouth can also be brought on by
diseases or infections or medical conditions including HIV/AIDS, Diabetes, Anemia, Sjogren's syndrome, cystic fibrosis, the mumps or a stroke.
What are the causes of weakness in rear legs in dogs?
there are many causes: Trauma to the spinal cord between thoracic to lumbar-sacral region. Any brain lesion/mass/tumor. Any infection of the brain/brain stem(spinal cord). Rabies. Diabetic neuropathy. Osteoarthritis of spine. osteoarthritis of rear legs. Intervertebral disc disease.(disc prolapse) Any blood clot in abdominal Aorta. Congestive heart failure discospondilitis. Iatrogenic (caused by human etc.) nerve damage. Disuse atrophy (muscle not used due to other systemic disease) Hip dysplasia. old age.
How to live normal life with rheumatoid arthritis?
I have Rheumatoid arthritis and up to now I have lived a reasonably normal life, I do have to admit that some of the medications I have to take to keep the situation under control are a bit of a hassle and have some disagreeable side effects and at age 62 i had to have a total right elbow replacement which stopped me from continuing my trade as a carpenter I do however still do most of the things I have always done. We all have to live within the parameters put upon us.
Can rheumatoid arthritis cause eleavated enzymes levels?
Yes. Elevated liver enzymes may have various causes in cases where there is rheumatoid arthritis . ranging from the rheumatic disease itself, as the result of anti-rheumatic medication or it be caused by an associated autoimmune disease.
What are the drug interactions associated with taking corydalis?
Some reports indicate that corydalis is incompatible with tannic acid and vegetable astringents. Used in traditional Chinese medicine positively. Needs studies for interactions with Western drugs.
Does Rheumatoid Arthritis cause sinus congestion and infections?
No However the treatment of RA involves drugs such as methotraxate and planquinel and they interfere with the immune system. The effect of this may well lead to infections. This is because rheumatoid arthritis is an Autoimmune disease. That is the immune system of the body attacks cartilage in the joints and other tissue for no good reason. It has been found that certain drugs swith of the part of the system that causes the damaging inflamation, however one of the side effects is that it is also likely to switch of inflammation when it is required to deal with infections.
