0
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 is an immune complex test?
Circulating immune complexes (CIC) are present in many individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), especially with any of the vasculitides complications. Levels of CICs have been reported to show correlation with disease activity in that higher levels are reported during active phases of the disease. Many tests have been developed for the detection of CICs, including PEG precipitation, radial immunodiffusion and cellular based assays, such as the Raji cell assay. No single procedure appears to detect all types of CIC: however, those procedures which detect CICs containing fragments of complement (e.g. C1q and C3d) appear to detect clinically relevant events. C1q binds with greatest avidity to immune complexes ranging in size from 19 to 27 S. In serum sickness, which is the prototype immune complex disease, this size of complex has typically been found to be deposited in tissues leading to damage. The IBL test system for C1q circulating immune complexes detects immune complexes containing both C1q and IgG. The concentration is expressed as µg/ml heat aggregated human globulin (HAG) equivalents. IBL also offers a test kit for the determination of C3d and IgG containing circulating immune complexes.
(source RDI Division of Fitzgerald Industries Intl 34 Junction Square Drive Concord MA 01742-3049 )
Is the weather in Florida good for people with rheumatoid arthritis?
If you are commenting on whether or atmospheric condition there is no relationship between the weather altitude or humidity and the symptoms of RA At least none that have been scientifically proven.
Testing for rheumatoid arthritis?
There is no definitive test for Rheumatoid arthritis. The diagnosis of RA is based on a collection of progressive xrays and or other imaging results the position and timing of attacks, RA attacks several joints usually the same joints on opposite sides of the body simultaneously. blood tests for rheumatoid factor. about 805 of ra patients have RF tests for inflammation which is the central part of RA. and recently a test anti-CCP has been developed that can predict the severity of the damage the disease is likely to inflict.
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.
If your Rheumatoid factor is lower than the previous blood test what does this mean?
This is not known as the cause of it is unknown as well as the relationship between RF and the activity of the disease.
Is Rheumatoid arthritis a disease of the muscular system?
No Arthritis and Rheumatoid are is not a disease of the muscles. However Arthritis can lead to muscular damage as a result of muscular atrophy as pin stops people from using muscles around affected joints. I have noticed this in my self. I had a total elbow replacement to my right arm, before I had trouble with that arm I was able to lift extremely heavy weights and even the grip of my hand was very strong as a result of RA I started to avoid exerting these muscles, this in turn started them wasting away. now that I have had an elbow replaced which was the main source of the pain I am able to get all of the muscles from the biceps down to the wrist back into some sort of working order. It is understandable that people feel Arthritis may be a muscular disorder , however it is only a disorder that has a secondary affect on muscles.
What are the side effects associated with using slippery elm?
May possibly interfere with drug or herb absorption so best to take the bark several hours before or after other medicants. No reported negative interactions with pharmaceuticals as of 2002.
What are the drug interactions associated with taking rose hip?
No known interactions between hibiscus and pharmaceuticals. As it is a tart plant, however, it may not mix well with other tannic herbs. Mint leaves or rose hips are good to blend with hibiscus.
Sedimentation rate is a test used to diagnose inflammation in the body.
Westergren method is one of the ways that sedimentation rate is evaluated.
Normal sedimentation rate for males is 0-15 millimeters per hour, females is 0-20
How can rheumatoid arthritis be prevented?
It cant be. At least it is not known how.. as we don't know what exactly causes it in the first place. There are treatments available that help get it under control, however their is no known cure.
Rheumatoid 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 usually means you don't have rheumatoid arthritis or Sjogren syndrome. However, some people who do have these conditions still have a "normal" or low rheumatoid factor (RF).
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
How long do people with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis have to live?
you can live to a ripe old age or if you are unlucky it can be responsible for complications that can kill you prematurely, it all depends on how the cards fall and on the treatment received for the disease.
What does sedimentation rate 1 mean?
sedimentation rates may vary from lab to lab with measurement methods, however normal sedimentation rates are considered to be up to 10 millimeters an hour in men and up to 20 an hour in women and the elderly.
Sedimentation rates detect infection or inflammation.
it can not determine the cause of the problem.
and can give false positive readings in healthy people.
If there are symptoms of for instance vasculitis or other autoimmune conditions further test may be initiated if the reading is high in order to come up with an effective treatment.
Can Inflammatory Arthritis cause Osteoarthritis to develop in a specific joint of the body?
Osteoarthritis is the result of damage done to cartilage to a point where the bones in joints are rubbing on each other. Cartilage has no nerves in it and so long as this smooth layer exists between the bones there is no pain. However as soon as this is gone the bone feels it and you experience pain. When the cartilage and surrounding tissue is eroded to a point where the bone touches in joints the result is the same as osteoarthritis when seen on Xray. So it is imperative that inflammation be kept under control in the case of any inflammatory disease.
How does rheumatoid arthritis effect a person mentally?
All people are different and cope differently with things. I have had trouble with RA for most of my life and have had several operations done on my as a result including a complete elbow replacement. To be quite honest about it I see my condition as a bit of bad luck and carry on regardless, on some days I may feel a little sad that I am unable to do things that I would normally be able to do. and find the medication regime and the side effect a real pain in the arse, however When I look at some of the photos of my great grand mother and having had a close relation ship with my mother who also suffered severely from this disease I am forced to look at the bright side becomes without modern medicine which was not as available to my mother and absolutely unavailable to my great grandmother I feel fortunate that at least there are things I can do to keep the situation under control. things could be worse.
Can you run if you have rheumatoid arthritis?
It all depends on exactly what the problems arising from your particular condition are.
I my particular case and I have had some trouble with it for over 50 years I have always managed to keep working. and a lot of the work I was involved in was in the building industry and involved strength and physical work. Last year I was forced to have my right elbow replaced, so I have been forced to take it easy on the right arm. However with the medicines and treatments available today and sometimes a little will power, I have been able to keep on working even at my present age of 62. There is no point complaining I always say, no one listens anyway.
Can arthritis affect breathing?
Yes it can affect your lungs. In fact, lt. The most common lung problems associated with rheumatoid arthritis include:
Rheumatoid arthritis can cause inflammation of the lining of the lungs (pleurisy). and this can cause sharp pain while breathing.
Fluid May accumulate around the lungs as a result of inflammation of the lining of the lungs. (pleural effusion). This accumulation can cause shortness of breath.
How does rheumatoid arthritis present?
Rheumatoid arthritis causes stiffness (especially in the mornings), swelling, and, often, crippling pain. It can also cause fatigue, anaemia and weight loss. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder: it is a "Auto immune disease". The body's immune system improperly identifies the synovial membranes as foreign. Inflammation results, damaging cartilage and tissues in and around the joints. Normal spaces within the joints become narrowed and the bones may even fuse together. This disease can affect many other parts of the body like the brain, Heart, lungs, blood vessels, eyes ans kin as well. A doctor will check for multiple joint inflammation, warmth in inflamed joints, Rheumatiod factor in the blood, signs of inflammation through blood tests, as well as comparative x-rays to enable him/her to check on the progress of damage caused by the disease.
When did they discover juvennile rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis was first put forward as a disease in its own right by Heberden and Haygarth in the early 19th century.
What is more painful osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis?
It would depend on the particular situation. However Rheumatoid arthritis is most likely to be more painful as it can attack many different parts of the body at the same time. rheumatoid arthritis also is not limited to just the joints as it can attack the eyes , heart, lungs, skin and other parts of the body.
Can rheumatoid arthritis cause lightheadedness?
I recently found out i have rheumatoid arthitis and i can say from personal experience i have vertigo and suffered extreme vertigo 3 months ago where i couldn't even leave the house or open my eyes.
Can hyperuricemia lead to rheumatoid arthritis?
No, If you would like to have acloser look at the effects of Hashimoto's disease go to the link (Thyroid conditions - Hashimoto's disease) below.
Having hashimotos disease doesnt lead to to rheumatoid arthritis however having one autoimmune disorder puts you at risk for others. So If you have hashimotos your more likely to get RA then someone who doesnt have hashimotos. (I have both)
What is the worst type of arthritis?
There are some pretty horrible forms of arthritis. The most wide spread isOsteoarthritis, it can be the result of total destruction of Joints. Then there is gout, which is a form of arthritis that occurs as a result of too much uric acid in the system forming crystals that invade joints causing excruciating pain and damage it can also damage the kidney eventually.In my opinion it is probably Rheumatoid arthritis which can strike at any age and totally destroy joints. affect eyesight, the lungs, the heart and even cause problems with the brain if you are unlucky. it is also a very painful condition. Seen from an overall perspective however it all depends on the particular case of arthritis and the person that has it.
Where is inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints. RA can also cause inflammation of the tissue around the joints, such as cartilage bone and muscle, as well as in other organs and tissue in the body. An autoimmune disease is a condition where body's tissues are mistakenly attacked by the body's own immune system. The immune is designed to "seek and destroy" invaders or foreign materials of the body, especially infections. Persons with autoimmune diseases have antibodies in their blood that attack their own body tissue, where they can be associated with inflammation. Because it can affect several organs of the body it is known as a systemic illness and is sometimes called rheumatoid disease. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic illness, meaning it can last for years, patients may experience long periods of time without symptoms. Rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive illness that has the potential to cause joint destruction and functional disability.
Does calcium build up cause rheumatoid arthritis?
At present the reason for arthritis is not yet understood. There is however a school of thought that feels thatexcessive calcium can build up in joints and cause arthritis as a result of a deficiency in magnesium. The body requires magnesium to process calcium into the body. So the problem is not so much too much calcium but to little magnesium.
Precautions to control high sed rate?
High sedimentation rates are an indicator of inflamation which can be the result of an immune disorder or infection of some sort. This can be controlled to some extent with anti inflammatory Or disease modifying drugs in the case of autoimmune diseases. and in the case of infections antibiotics or similar drugs are used to reduce inflammation by eliminating the infection.
