Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis

    * Introduction
    * Signs and symptoms
    * Causes and Risk Factors
    * Evolution and complications
    * Diagnosis
    * Treatment
Rheumatoid Arthritis (and rheumatoid arthritis) is one of more than 100 forms of chronic inflammatory joint diseases as arthritis joint. Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most debilitating forms of arthritis because the joints causes pain and eventually lead to their deformation. Thus, even the simplest activities, opening a jar or walking, can become very difficult.
Pediatric form is juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), caracteristizata the onset in children under 16 years and includes several categories.
Unlike osteoarthritis, which results from wear and tear of the joints, rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease. We do not know the exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis, but the disease is included in the category of autoimmune disease (immune system produces antibodies against its own tissues). Joint inflammation reached undergone several changes. The onset of chronic inflammation of the synovial consists of (the membrane that lines the inside of joints). Then, the inflammation affects other joint structures: cartilage, capsule, tendons, ligaments, muscles and bones, causing bone erosion and damaging the joint function. Peripheral joints (metacarpophalangeal, for example) are symmetrically inflamed, resulting in progressive destruction of articular structures, usually accompanied by systemic symptoms.
Diagnosis is based on clinical criteria, laboratory and radiological. Treatment includes drugs, surgical interventions and sometimes physical measures. NSAIDs combined drug therapy, which reduces symptoms and antirheumatic drugs, which slow disease progression.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects 0.5% - 1% of the population is 2 3 times more common in women than in men. Although RA can occur at any age, the first symptoms usually occurs between 40 and 60 years.
There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, but with appropriate treatment, some measures to protect the joints and lifestyle modification, patients can live a long and active life.