Rheumatoid Arthritis

Autoimune malfunctions.

Better explanation -

According to researchers in Sweden, people with rheumatoid arthritis are roughly twice as likely as those without the disease to develop lymphoma, which is a broad term for a variety of cancers of the lymphatic system. The researchers conducted the largest investigation of the link between RA and lymphoma to date.

Their findings, featured in the March 2006 issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism indicate a substantially increased risk of lymphoma among patients with severe RA. Very high and prolonged inflammatory activity, not its treatment, is apparently the major risk factor.

The research team analyzed the medical records and case histories of 378 RA patients afflicted with malignant lymphoma between 1964 and 1995 and 378 individually matched, lymphoma-free controls. Using statistical analysis, the relative risks or odds ratios for lymphoma were assessed for three different levels of overall disease activity-low, medium, or high-based on disease duration and swollen and tender joint counts.

Compared with low RA activity, medium RA activity was associated with an 8-fold increase in the risk for lymphoma. The odds ratio rose dramatically for high RA activity-to a 70-fold increase in lymphoma risk. The researchers also observed increased risks of lymphoma associated with pronounced, irreversible joint damage in the hands, feet, and knees documented in the last year before lymphoma diagnosis.

Yes, absolutely! The shoulder is a joint, like the knee, ankle, and wrist, which are all affected by rheumatoid arthritis.

Shoulder pain can be related to RA however it may also be the result of osteoarthritis or a number of neurological conditions. the only way to be sure is to have an examination of the problem done.

If you are talking about the prescription of methotrexate. this is done to reduce the ability of the immune system (which is the cause Of RA) to cause inflammation . the amount of this drug taken for RA is minuscule compared to that taken with chemotherapy. Methotrexate represents the gold standard in disease modifying drugs in the fight against the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Fibromyalgia is a name given to a group of symptoms marked by generalized pain and muscle stiffness. These symptoms can be felt in any area of the body. Other symptoms include fatigue and insomnia. Fibromyalgia, unlike RA Fibromyalgia does not cause inflammation or damage to the painful areas, Like RA it can occur in any part of the body.

Like RA Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): SLE is an autoimmune disorder that can affect many organ systems within the body.

There is a problem in answering this question because there is just not enough information available on this subject that is more then just anecdotal evidence, However that is not to say that some of the many remedy's that are suggested don't work especially when keeping in mind the different reactions that different people may have to different substances. The real testing that is done is expensive and will tend to carried out by drug companies that want to sell a uniform product that only they are able to sell while the patents last. Most doctor are happy to go along with this as it is the easiest way to run a business. this leads to a situation where individual effects tend to shoved aside. If you would like to find out more about some of the alternative methods and supplements used in a bid to control the symptoms and the disease Rheumatoid arthritis, go to the related link(RA Alternative Therapies - Natural Treatments - Home Remedies) below

Medical researchers have identified Halofuginone as a treatment for

Rheumatoid Arthritis. Halofuginone is a drug derived from the

ancient herb Chang Shan (Latin botanical name: Dichroa Root).

ChangShan, herb has been used in Chinese medicine for more than 2,000

years to reduce fever and fight malaria. Chang Shan is considered one

of the 50 "fundamental herbs" of traditional Chinese medicine.

Researchers have now discovered that in the body, one common precursor

T cell can give rise to both tissue-protective T regulatory, or Treg,

cells and the inflammatory T cell type known as T helper 17.

These inflammatory Th17 cells play a prominent role in many autoimmune-

related disorders, such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis,

Scleroderma, Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Psoriasis.

Researchers have discovered a small molecule called Halofuginone

prevented inflammatory Th17 cells from emerging without interfering

with tissue-protective Treg cells.

The researchers believe that halofuginone acts by activating a

biochemical pathway known as the amino acid starvation response, or

AAR, which typically protects cells when amino acids, the essential

building blocks of proteins, are in short supply.

In amino acid deprivation, cells try to conserve amino acids by

preventing specific types of responses that are energetically

expensive. A primary response of these cells to halofuginone is

shutting down the inflammatory response cycle.

Emerging science indicates that Rheumatoid Arthritis Sufferers may

reap the greatest benefit from this anti-inflammatory compound. With

this new discovery it is now possible to inhibit this destructive and

repetitive chronic autoimmune cycle from reoccurring. In essence,

allowing the body to repair itself..!

atrophy, shrinking and weakening of muscles surrounding joints affected by RA can occur. this this is most common in the hands. this can also happen as the result of avoiding the use of muscle in areas where there is pain and inflammation. Damage to bones and tendons can lead to deformities around joints. Osteoporosis and carpal tunnel syndrome

and nerve entrapment are also common complications of rheumatoid arthritis.

What would be a RA Latex Turbid level that would be okay? My blood work results were the following:RA Latex Turbid 14.6 IU/mL

C-Reactive Protein, Cardiac level of 6.43

Uric Acid, Serum level is 5.5 mg/dL,

Sedimentation Rate-Westergren level is 5 mm/hr

Should I be concerned about having Rheumatoid Arthritis with these results?

The term arthritisliterally means joint inflammation, but it also is used to refer to more than 100 rheumatic diseases. These diseases can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in joints and may also affect other parts of the body.

Some common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis,rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus,gout, juvenile rheumatoid Arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and psoriatic arthritis.