Rheumatoid Arthritis

penicillamine (Cuprimine, Depen)

Penicillamine is an antirheumatic drug used to treat patients with active rheumatoid arthritis. it is considered a disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD). This drug reduces the formation of scas tissue and malformations that are common in RA. The way it does this is however not understood.

Homeopathy (also spelled homoeopathy or homœopathy) is a form of alternative medicine, first proposed by German physician Samuel Hahnemann in 1796, that attempts to treat patients with heavily diluted preparations. Based on an ipse dixit axiom formulated by Hahnemann which he called the "law of similars", preparations which cause certain symptoms in healthy individuals are given as the treatment for patients exhibiting similar symptoms. Homeopathic remedies are prepared by serial dilution with shaking by forceful striking, which homeopaths term "succussion," after each dilution under the assumption that this increases the effect of the treatment. Homeopaths call this process "potentization". Dilution often continues until none of the original substance remains. (Source wikipedia) for the complete article on Homeapathy Go to the related link below.

Personal Oppinoin: I might add however that having had a joint replaced as a result of RA I don't believe for one second that anything that works on this principle is able to repair that sort of damage.

No Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that results in the immune system mistakenly attacking (among other tissues of the body) cartilage in the synovial joints. This leads to further destructive chemicals being created which in turn destroys further tissue in an around the joints. there is arthritis that has a connection with infection and RA may have some reaction there however RA is not seen as being the result of any pathogen.

Scientific concensis is that there can most likely be a hereditory factor involved in RA. The exact cause of RA is as yet unknown. However scientists do understand that many factors may contribute to the development of Rheumatiod arthritis. Scientists have shown particular genes that play a role in the immune system may be involved in determining whether or not you develop RA. on the other hand some RA victims do not have these genes, and then others that do never develop the disease.

I believe that it is nonhereditary, because I have had a chronic diagnosis of RA in May of 2000. We have researched both sides of my extremely large families and have found no one else with any symptoms, etc.

But I did have an emergency transfusion in January of 1980, and I believe that with DNA, and all of those interesting topics, that my system was exposed to the possibility of developing Rheumatoid Arthritis through that. Let me know what you think on this...

RA is not nesesarily hereditory. hovever it is termed as an hereditary disease

prednisolone is a steroidal anti inflammatory, A member of the glucocorticoid class of hormones. When used in the case of Rheumatoid arthritis it has the effect of reducing inflammation in the joints and other parts of the body. Inflamation in the joints of RA sufferers leads to the destruction of cartilage which in turn produces chemicals that further cause destruction to ligaments muscles and bone in the area of the inflammation. Prednisone is used with similar succes but is turned into pednisolone in the liver so patients.as a result of it being more easily absorbed, prednisolone is the preferred drug when hepatic disease or insufficiency is present.

Because it is happening in more then one part of the body at one time, these may be the symptoms of Rheumatoid arthritis this is an auto immune disease effecting primarily the joints of the body but can also spread to other parts such as heart lungs eyes etc. If the same joints on opposite sides of the body seem often to be involved It may be a good reason to suspect the presence of RA.

compression This can be the result of the nerve being compressed above the wrist , the elbow, the shoulder or in the neck. Either way you should get it checked out as most of these conditions can be relieved and if left can lead to unnecessary damage to nerves and muscle.

This would refer to the type of arthritis that tends to affect the same joints on both sides of the body at the same time, there is a symmetry to the way it flares and is generally Rheumatoid arthritis.

RA is not known to have a direct affect on kidneys, however some the drugs used in the treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis are likely to bring about kidney problems unless they are monitored carefully.

With rheumatoid arthritis (RA), two things are taking place in the joints. The immune system causes inflammation in the synovial membrane. This is called synovitis. The synovial membrane is a layer of tissue that lines the inside of all the joints. Initially this results in extra fluid, swelling, and oozing clots in the joint. The pain and swelling of synovitis can be brought under control. However as a result of the synovitis other problems in the joint are caused. The blood cells and the swollen membranes release chemicals into the synovial fluid (this is the fluid that lubricates the joint) that break down and damage the tissue of the joint. This can bring about permanent damage to the cartilage, bone, ligaments, and tendons inside and around the joint. As a general rule structural damage happens in the first to third year of the disease. The synovitis can come and go, but the structural damage progresses,leading to the affected joint becoming painful, stiff and in some cases deformed.

RA usually affects many corresponding joints on both sides of body. (For example, both Hands and both wrists, both elbows and so on).

Arava (leflunomide), is a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD). It helps improve rheumatoid arthritis symptoms such as joint swelling and tenderness. Arava reportedly helps slow the progression of joint damage caused by rheumatoid arthritis. Arava claims to be the only oral DMARD indicated to improve physical function.

Children with juvenile idiopathic (formerly called rheumatoid) arthritis (JIA) can can end up with problems with the eyes, This can be as a result of the disease or these can be caused by the medications taken to treat the disease. For more information relating to this subject go to the related link (How Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis Affects the Eyes) below.

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is one of the five major groups of lipoproteins, which in order of size, largest to smallest, are chylomicrons, VLDL, IDL, LDL, and HDL, that enable transport of multiple different fat molecules, including cholesterol, within the water around cells and within the water-based bloodstream. Studies have shown that higher levels of type-B LDL particles (as opposed to type-A LDL particles) promote health problems and cardiovascular disease, they are often informally called the bad cholesterol particles, (as opposed to HDL particles, which are frequently referred to as good cholesterol or healthy cholesterol particles

Normal Rgeumatoid factor

Results are usually reported in one of two ways:

• Less than 40-60 u/mL
• Less than 1:80 (1 to 80) titer

A low number (normal result) generally means you do not have rheumatoid arthritis or Sjogren syndrome. However, these conditions still can still occur in some people who have have a "normal" or low rheumatoid factor (RF).

Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories.

Rheumatoid factor (RF) blood tests measures the amount of the RF antibody in the blood.

The results of the rheumatoid factor (RF) test may be reported in titers or units:

A titer is a measure of how much the blood sample can be diluted before RF can no longer be detected. A titer of 1 to 20 (1:20) means that RF can be detected when 1 part of the blood sample is diluted by up to 20 parts of a salt solution (saline). A larger second number means there is more RF in the blood. Therefore, a titer of 1 to 80 shows more RF in the blood than a titer of 1 to 20.

Nephelometry units indicate how much light is blocked by the blood sample in the tube. A high level of RF causes the sample to be cloudy, so less light passes through the tube than when the RF level is low. So an RF level of 100 units is higher than one of 40 units.

Normal

Normal values vary from lab to lab. Results are usually available in a day or two.

Rheumatoid factor (RF) Titers

1:20 to 1:80 Units

14 units/mL to 60 units/mL

Patients should check with their heath profesional to see what the normal range is for the lab that tested your blood.

Rheumatoid factor is an immunoglobulin (antibody) which is able to bind to other antibodies. Rheumatoid factor is usually not found in the general population. it is only found in about 1-2% of healthy people. Rheumatoid factor increases with age and about 20% of people over 65 years old have an elevated rheumatoid factor.

A blood test is done to detect the presence of rheumatoid factor. This is normally ordered to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid factor is present in 80% of adults who have rheumatoid arthritis The incidence of rheumatoid factor increases with duration time: at 3 months the incidence is 33%, at one year it is 75%. Up to 20% of rheumatoid arthritis sufferers remain negative for rheumatoid factor (also known as "seronegative rheumatoid arthritis") throughout their disease.

Results are usually reported in one of two ways:

Normal values are LESS than 60 U/ml.

A low number (normal result) usually means you do not have rheumatoid arthritis or Sjogren syndrome. However, some people who do have these conditions still have a "normal" or low rheumatoid factor (RF).

They are just about the same as those you would find for Rheumatoid arthritis and may include Pain and stiffness in joints lower back, Hips, Knees, Ankles, Feet, Toes, shoulders, Elbows, Wrists, Hands and fingers. Redness and swelling over joints, Tenderness over joints, Skin lesions, Skin nodules, Nail deformities, Sore red eyes, Fatigue and Mouth lesions. For more info on this go to the related link below (Seronegative arthritis).

Rheumatoid arthritis can lead to a situation where joints can become damaged to a degree where joints can move into abnormal positions.

Bioflavenoids are found in some vegetables and fruits and are sold because they have a mild anti inflammatory effect and it is claimed reduce damage caused by tfn in Rheumatoid arthritis's Have had no trouble finding the product or the price. however, am running into a blank wall when it comes to testing and results.