Rheumatoid arthritis affects approximately 2 million
people of which 75% are female. There are also juvenile
forms of this disease which affect the young as
well. It is a chronic systemic disease which affects
joints throughout the body. It is a chronic
disease, in which various joints in the body are
inflamed, leading to swelling, pain, stiffness, and the
possible loss of function. It is considered an autoimmune
disease. The joint inflammation begins in the
synovial membrane. Any undue stress on this
membrane will cause the joint inflammation condition of
synovitis. The synovial membrane is a joint lining
material. Continuous inflammation of the synovium
slowly destroys the cartilage, narrowing the joint space
and eventually damaging bone. The synovial membrane
is responsible for producing the synovial fluid, which is
the effective joint lubricant. A component of the
synovial fluid is (hyaluronic acid). This, together with
the fluid squeezed from the cartilage gives a
friction-free movement in the joint.
Rheumatoid
arthritis leads to chronic synovitis, the swollen
synovial membranes producing pain and joint swelling,
often leading to destruction of adjoining tissues (bone,
ligaments or tendons). Other symptoms include general
stiffness and soreness in the same joints. Usually
if one knee is sore, the other will be sore. Other
factors such as fatigue and high fever are sometimes
prevalent in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis.
Early diagnosis is essential to managing this
disease. Diagnosis is made with a physical exam by the
physician, combined with x-rays and a test called the
"Rheumatoid Factor". The test shows
a specific antibody in the blood of approximately
80% of the diagnosed cases for Rheumatoid Arthritis.
There are various options for the treatment of
rheumatoid arthritis. Current treatment methods
focus on relieving pain, reducing inflammation, stopping
or slowing joint damage, and improving patient function
and well-being. Traditional
medicine involves NSAIDS (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs) (NSAIDs, pronounced EN-saids). which
is controversial. A safer and more holistic approach to arthritis
involves chondroprotective agents and vitamin supplements which use glucosamine,
chondroitin, ester-C & MSM, among others. An example is a product called
Free &
Easy. It is an excellent commercially tested and approved product effective
at preventing arthritis and easing joint pain.
Take
action now to prevent or treat the misery of arthritis.
