Rhematoid Arthritis

This is not just a disease but a starting of many other problems. The exact cause for development of rheumatoid arthritis is not known. Although, there has been an indication of infection of some bacteria, virus or some fungi but nothing has been proven yet. Genetic factors has been playing crucial role in development of rheumatoid arthritis. Certain genes get triggered with time and rheumatoid may start working up as early as in mid twenties.

People who smoke a lot, take tobacco also have increased tendency to develop rheumatoid arthritis. Moreover it is an autoimmune disease. This means that it occurs when the immune system of a body mistakes self cells as invaders.

Many people pass years of initial stages of rheumatoid arthritis with any symptoms or pain. The condition gets serious with years passing by and may lead to complete blockage of joint movement. The worse is that it may starts accumulating fluid in near by joints as well. It affects multiple organs and is much serious.

The symptoms may vary from person to person. When there is a lot of inflammation, the rheumatoid is active and when inflammation subsides, so does the rheumatoid. Some of the most common symptoms include joint and muscle pains, stiffness in movement, tiredness and some fever.

The pains usually hit in morning. When the attacks of rheumatoid occur, it effects joint area becomes red and swollen and tender. It aches on touch.

Those with genetic history of rheumatoid arthritis must get themselves periodically diagnosed from a rheumatologist. They check the skin for presence of rheumatoid nodules. Since it is an autoimmune disease, abnormal antibodies can be detected in patients.

Most of the early pateinst show presence of rheumatoid factor. The citrullin antibody and anti-nuclear antibody are also found in the patients. Sedimentation rate test and a test of C-reactive protein can also be done.