Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease which causes inflammation of the joints which results in pain, limited mobility and disfigurement. This disease can cause inflammation of the internal organs as well, but is most frequently found in the joints. While the exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is not known, there is evidence that some people are genetically predisposed to the disease.
Most often rheumatoid arthritis develops in people between the age of 40 and 50, although it can be acquired at any age. Women are three times more likely to have this disease than men.
There are many symptoms which can indicate rheumatoid arthritis. The most common is swelling of the hands and feet that is accompanied by pain, especially when using the extremities. Some aching in the joints after a period of inactivity, such as sleep, can be a symptom. A low fever, fatigue and a change in the appearance of the joints can also indicate rheumatoid arthritis.
A canonical test does not exist to test for rheumatoid arthritis. Instead, medical boards in different countries have established a standardized battery of tests and conditions for the diagnosis of the disease. Many factors including the patient’s history, lifestyle and age are taken into consideration.
While there is no way to cure rheumatoid arthritis, there are treatments that can help to reduce the pain or push the disease into remission for a short time. Medication is the primary treatment used to reduce the inflammation. Early in the stages of the disease surgery to remove the inflamed tissue may also be an option.