The Most Common Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease characterized by an inflammation in the joint area. Rheumatoid arthritis is said to be a disease of the immune system. What happens inside the body of a patient diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis is that his immune system mistakenly thinks that his own body tissues are harmful bacteria or viruses. And so the antibodies move to attack them. But these tissues are actually healthy tissues. In fact, they are the main ones that compose the joints. When this happens, the particular area where antibodies attacked becomes severely inflamed.

Rheumatoid arthritis can be caused by a number of factors. While it is rather hard even for the doctors to tell their patient what actually makes them contract the disease, the most common of all factors are listed below:

Viruses, Fungi, and Bacteria

These elements have long been suspected to be the root causes of rheumatoid arthritis. But then again, it hasn't been proven that they alone are sufficient to cause the disease. What is certain is that viruses, fungi, and bacteria play a certain role in the development of the disease, as they trigger the body's immune system to act. Therefore, it can not be ruled out that these infectious agents may have something to do with rheumatoid arthritis.

Genetics

There are also studies showing that rheumatoid arthritis can be inherited. There have been worldwide researches performed to seek the main cause of this disease. And with that many researches conducted, all of experts behind them can't rule genetics as a factor. In a certain group of patients who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, it was found out that a number of them have family members who are suffering from the disease in one way or another. This had caused scientists to assume that certain types of rheumatoid arthritis can be transferred genetically.

Allergens

Because rheumatoid arthritis involves the immune system, it is reasonable to assume that certain allergens cause the antibodies to attack the joints. Allergens fall under the environmental factors that could trigger the disease. These could be the food you eat, exposure to certain types of bacteria in the air, and the deficiency of certain types of vitamins in the body. It is therefore important that a series of consultations with a health expert is carried out so that it becomes easy for them to determine what triggers a particular rheumatoid arthritis attack. Defining one's allergen is very helpful in preventing the disease.

Changes in One's Hormones

One other cause of rheumatoid arthritis would be the changes in one's hormones. For the females, it was found out that during pregnancy, their levels of progesterone and estrogen becomes relatively high. However, after giving birth, it drastically decreases. This is one of the reasons why rheumatoid arthritis often happens in a woman after child birth.

On the flip side, some mothers have experienced improved rheumatoid arthritis condition during the entire length of their pregnancy. But after the time the baby is born, they experience a certain degree of flare up.

Smoking

There have been relevant studies that show smoking tobacco can increase a person's risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, now or at any time in the future. On the other hand, for those people who already have rheumatoid arthritis and still continue to smoke, their chances of having an attack are higher than those who don't. There are certain substances found inside a tobacco that triggers the attack.

These are the different and most common causes of rheumatoid arthritis. Knowing the main root of the disease is going to be very helpful in preventing its occurrence altogether. And if the main cause of rheumatoid arthritis is defined, the very people who are suffering from it may act accordingly to make sure they keep away from the very things that cause the disease. Doing so will spare them of the intense pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joint and muscle that can be affected by the disease.

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Arthritis - Common Arthritis Symptoms and Diagnosis

Arthritis is an ailment which involves a number of painful conditions of the joints and the bones. There are a number of different types of this disease. Most types are inflammatory while others are degenerative in nature.

The disease may be preceded or coupled by an episode of fatigue and feeling of weakness. The pains in the joints most of the time starts in the hands, particularly in the knuckles. Most of the time, the pain are felt in both hands simultaneously, as in the case of one of the most typical form called rheumatoid arthritis.

Other usual forms of arthritis include osteoarthritis, gout arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis arthritis, juvenile arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and septic arthritis.

Other forms of arthritis can emerge as a result of an infection. For instance, bacteria causing gonorrhea or Lyme disease can also lead to arthritis. Arthritis that are caused by infection can cause serious injuries, but generally clears up completely with the use of antibiotics.

Scleroderma, a systemic ailment which involves the skin, may incorporate harms with the blood vessels, internal organs as well as the joints. Another disease called fibromyalgia syndrome is soft-tissue rheumatism that does not usually result to the deformation of the joints but affects an estimated number of 5 million Americans which are mostly women. Over 100 various types of arthritis and arthritis related conditions have been reported.

In making a diagnosis, there are a number of common symptoms of arthritis that have to be considered. These common symptoms of arthritis can be found in tandem with different forms of arthritis. A person may likely to have arthritis if they have been experiencing any of these common symptoms of arthritis such as persistent joint pains, unexplainable weight loss or non-specific fever.

Joint deformities, inflammation as indicated by joint swelling, redness, stiffness and/or warmth, loss of range of movement or flexibility in a joint, extreme fatigue and lack of energy are also some of the common symptoms of arthritis.

Due to the fact that there are a lot of existing types of arthritis, there are many tests that are being performed for arthritis and its related diseases. Your medical doctor will be in charge of ordering tests basing on your comprehensive listing of symptoms. Some of the tests and procedures that may help diagnose arthritis include online self-assessments, such as self-assessment for candidiasis and the magnesium deficiency assessment. This self-testing procedure can aid you in determining the root causes of your persistent conditions.

There are also certain saliva tests which can make you check if you have an acid alkaline imbalance. According to recent studies, the reduction on the levels of acidity in the body can have a good effect on improving the common symptoms of arthritis.

Blood tests can also be done. Patients who suffer with arthritis have inflammatory markers found in their blood. These tests may include checking for the presence of positive rheumatoid factor, presence of citrullinated peptide or CCP antibody, checking the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and checking for the levels of C-reactive protein or CRP.

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Arthritis Tips - 5 Common Misconceptions About Arthritis

Do you have painful swollen joints? Do you have persistent aching in your hands, knees or shoulders?

 If so, you may have arthritis. What? You're not that old? Around the world 1 out of 4 people, suffer from some form of this painful joint disease. Because it is so very common, a lot of myths and misconceptions have developed around this disease. This article seeks to explore some of them.

"But what actually is arthritis?"

There are over 100 distinct, incurable diseases, currently grouped under the umbrella term "arthritis". Arthritis covers a variety of problems effecting the bones, joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments.

However it is most readily known for its effects on the joints in the body which allow us to move. Common signs are pain, stiffness, inflammation or swelling in joints and bones. Arthritis can also cause extensive damage to the cartilage, bones and inter parts of your joints.

Arthritis Misconception 1 - "It's a disease for the old"

Myth! Millions of middle-aged men and women, children and young adults suffer from this painful aching condition. Anyone can have arthritis. Arthritis has no respect for age or gender.

Arthritis Misconception 2 - "It's a disease caused by damp, cold environments"

Myth! Doctors and well- meaning individuals have encouraged arthritis sufferers to move to warmer climates as a "cure". Warmer climates do lessen the feeling of pain and discomfort due to arthritis, but only to a point. Doesn't everyone love being under a warm sun?

Arthritis Misconception 3 - "You get arthritis from eating a bad diet"

Yet another one bites the dust...to date there has been no research that connects poor eating habits to arthritis, with the exception of uric acid and gout. But maintaining as healthy a bodyweight as possible eases joint aches and lessens swelling.

Arthritis Misconception 4 - "Arthritis can be cured"

I wish I could say this was true! However, at this point in time, there is no cure for this painful disease. You need to be aware of the hundreds of quack cures or treatments that drain your wallet but don't stop the pain. Every year scientific research is being done to find ways to control the damage and ease the pain that arthritis causes. Check with your health provider for the latest in treatments.

Arthritis Misconception 5 - "Arthritis causes only minor aches and pains"

Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! Arthritis is a debilitating disease and can change a person's entire lifestyle. Pain from joint damage can be severe and as the joint destruction and deformities mount, arthritis patients can experience inflammation, chronic pain and fatigue therefore leading to depression and other health problems. You don't need to suffer in silence when there is help.

Once you know about the five most common misconceptions of arthritis, you can take steps to learn how to treat this painful and troubling disease and regain your zest for life.

For more information about what arthritis is, what is isn't, and what you can do to prevent and treat it, visit http://gin-raisins-arthritis.net

Liam Wiltshire is an Arthritis sufferer who uses his own methods to allow him to play American Football in the UK for the Premiership Bristol Aztecs. He also maintains and runs the website http://www.gin-raisins-arthritis.net

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Dispelling Common Arthritis Myths - How to Do It

Many people falsely assume that only older people can contract arthritis. The truth of the matter is that even very young people can develop this illness during their earliest years of life. Also notable is the fact that, although the term arthritis is frequently related to diseases that affect the joints of the body, it actually refers to over 100 different diseases of the muscular and skeletal system. Such diseases can do harm to the kidneys, lungs, muscles, and heart.

Various Kinds of Arthritis

There are currently over 125 unique kinds of arthritis that have been scientifically defined. The most commonly occurring arthritis conditions are osteoarthritis, juvenile arthritis, gout, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and scleroderma.

The joints of the body become inflamed, tender, sore, and swollen as a result of arthritis. The swelling and aching brought about by arthritis can last for two weeks or even more. Fatigue, depression, and trouble sleeping can also be attributed to arthritis. Because arthritis makes even simple movements very painful to perform, it can eventually lead to disability or even complete immobility.

Another sad reality is that there is currently no cure for arthritis, nor doctors fully understand exactly what it is that causes a person to experience arthritis. There are ways that a person can try to limit the severity of the symptoms brought on by arthritis, however. A person can do their best to control their weight by means of diet and take medications that have been developed to help alleviate symptoms.

A person should get in contact with their doctor right away if they experience pain and swelling in their joints for two weeks or longer. That way, their doctor will be able to determine whether or not these symptoms are being caused by arthritis.

It is very important that you do not allow yourself to make decisions based off of myths regarding arthritis. Some people claim that arthritis is not serious, which is absolutely false. Another myth is that only old people experience the pains in the joints that arthritis causes, but even very young children can develop arthritis. If you hear that there is no way for arthritis sufferers to do about their pains and aches, know that this is not true either. Although there is not a cure at present, there are treatments to reduce the pain.

The reality is that arthritis is different in each case and only a well trained medical professional can diagnose a person with arthritis. They are also the only people that should direct treatment of arthritis. Since everyone is different, there is not one treatment that will work for everyone that has arthritis.

Did you realize what you eat can have an effect on your arthritis? Learn more about how to eat an effective arthritis diet [http://www.arthritisexplained.net/diet/arthritis-diet.html] on the Arthritis Explained website. Visit ArthritisExplained.net for more helpful information.

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Dispelling Common Arthritis Myths - How to Do It

Many people falsely assume that only older people can contract arthritis. The truth of the matter is that even very young people can develop this illness during their earliest years of life. Also notable is the fact that, although the term arthritis is frequently related to diseases that affect the joints of the body, it actually refers to over 100 different diseases of the muscular and skeletal system. Such diseases can do harm to the kidneys, lungs, muscles, and heart.

Various Kinds of Arthritis

There are currently over 125 unique kinds of arthritis that have been scientifically defined. The most commonly occurring arthritis conditions are osteoarthritis, juvenile arthritis, gout, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and scleroderma.

The joints of the body become inflamed, tender, sore, and swollen as a result of arthritis. The swelling and aching brought about by arthritis can last for two weeks or even more. Fatigue, depression, and trouble sleeping can also be attributed to arthritis. Because arthritis makes even simple movements very painful to perform, it can eventually lead to disability or even complete immobility.

Another sad reality is that there is currently no cure for arthritis, nor doctors fully understand exactly what it is that causes a person to experience arthritis. There are ways that a person can try to limit the severity of the symptoms brought on by arthritis, however. A person can do their best to control their weight by means of diet and take medications that have been developed to help alleviate symptoms.

A person should get in contact with their doctor right away if they experience pain and swelling in their joints for two weeks or longer. That way, their doctor will be able to determine whether or not these symptoms are being caused by arthritis.

It is very important that you do not allow yourself to make decisions based off of myths regarding arthritis. Some people claim that arthritis is not serious, which is absolutely false. Another myth is that only old people experience the pains in the joints that arthritis causes, but even very young children can develop arthritis. If you hear that there is no way for arthritis sufferers to do about their pains and aches, know that this is not true either. Although there is not a cure at present, there are treatments to reduce the pain.

The reality is that arthritis is different in each case and only a well trained medical professional can diagnose a person with arthritis. They are also the only people that should direct treatment of arthritis. Since everyone is different, there is not one treatment that will work for everyone that has arthritis.

Did you realize what you eat can have an effect on your arthritis? Learn more about how to eat an effective arthritis diet [http://www.arthritisexplained.net/diet/arthritis-diet.html] on the Arthritis Explained website. Visit ArthritisExplained.net for more helpful information.

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Common Symptoms for Rheumatoid Arthritis - Identification and Other Facts

Rheumatoid arthritis is a unique form of arthritis because it is an auto-immune disease that can impact more than just the joints in your body. In essence, your immune system malfunctions and begins to attack the joints, organs and/or other parts of your body. No one knows what causes rheumatoid arthritis but significant advances have been made with respect to the identification, treatment and control of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. Early identification and quick aggressive treatment are your best defense when dealing with rheumatoid arthritis. Many people today live long, happy and productive lives despite rheumatoid arthritis.

Early Identification of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a very serious disease and early detection and treatment is critical. If you begin to experience any of the common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, keep track of your symptoms and contact your doctor immediately. It is best to keep a detailed journal of your symptoms that you can discuss with your doctor. There are over 100 types of arthritis and proper diagnosis is needed to determine the proper treatment. Common rheumatoid arthritis symptoms include:

low fever;
fatigue;
multiple sore or achy joints;
multiple swollen or inflamed joints - rheumatoid arthritis impacts the soft tissue surrounding your joints. The tissue surrounding the joints may be red, swollen and tender when touched;
joint stiffness or reduced mobility - this is typically noticed first thing in the morning and/or after periods of long rest.

Many of the early common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are mistaken for flu symptoms. Even if you suspect that you have the flu, it is still a good idea to track your symptoms and see your doctor. If needed, your doctor will send you to an arthritis specialist called a rheumatologist. If your doctor suspects rheumatoid arthritis (or other forms of arthritis), you need a specialist.

In addition to knowing what the common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are, you also need to know that there are no hard and fast rules. Here are some facts about "common" rheumatoid arthritis symptoms:

Disease Development -

the disease normally begins slowly however some people may develop rheumatoid arthritis rather suddenly. Rheumatoid arthritis affects every person differently.

Severity and Frequency -

some people experience severe joint inflammation and pain while others have milder symptoms. The frequency of common rheumatoid arthritis symptoms can also vary significantly from person to person. You may feel symptoms for several days at a time, then they can stop for weeks or months at a time. It is very rare for people to experience rheumatoid arthritis symptoms continuously. Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms tend to come and go for the rest of your life.

Multiple Joints -

rheumatoid arthritis tends to impact at least 3 joints or body parts at a time. It is also common for symptoms to begin on both sides of the body at the same time. This differs from degenerative arthritis, which tends to start in one joint on one side of the body. Degenerative arthritis tends to be more localized.

Joint Inflammation -

it is very important to treat and control joint inflammation because it causes damage to your joints. If you merely treat the pain, the inflammation will continue and will cause additional permanent damage. There are many medications and other treatments available that can reduce inflammation. If your doctor is not treating your inflammation, find another doctor.

Although there are common symptoms for rheumatoid arthritis there are also many differences that exist. The above listing is only a partial listing of what you need to know about common rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. Rheumatoid arthritis impacts every person differently. No two people experience the disease in exactly the same way. These differences make it difficult to identify the early symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

The best way to prepare yourself for rheumatoid arthritis is to learn as much as possible. Learn about the risk factors and common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Keep a detailed diary of all your potential symptoms and review them with your doctor. Your diary should include: location, severity, frequency and nature of your symptoms. Be sure to include the date and time and what you were doing when you felt the symptoms. What activities made your symptoms worse, what lessened your symptoms, etc. Keep track of every factor that may be important.

Since there are over 100 different types of arthritis, early detection relies heavily on information supplied by the patient. Rheumatoid arthritis can not always be detected using lab tests during its early stages. As soon as your doctor suspects rheumatoid arthritis, he should send you to a specialist. When your diagnosis is confirmed, your doctor should help you to design an effective treatment plan.

Most rheumatoid arthritis treatment plans include medication, alternative therapies, exercise, diet modification, etc. Together these treatments will work to control inflammation, reduce pain, increase mobility and slow or prevent additional damage. Rheumatoid arthritis can be effectively controlled and proper treatment can minimize the risk of disability. New treatment options are developing for rheumatoid arthritis because of on-going medical research. A rheumatologist is the best person to treat your disease and should know the latest and greatest treatment techniques. Early detection and treatment are highly recommended.

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Types Of Arthritis - Three Most Common Types And Other Types Of Arthritis

Arthritis covers a broad spectrum of disease. To many, the term arthritis means pain and inflammation of the joints - but, arthritis is a much more complex medical condition. The term arthritis comes from the Latin phrase, "arth" meaning joint and "it is" meaning inflammation. There are over 100 illnesses associated with the term arthritis. Arthritis can range from something as simple as tendonitis to something as chronic as rheumatoid arthritis.

Three Most Common Types of Arthritis

Osteoarthritis - the most common type of arthritis. This degenerative joint disease affects over 16 million Americans. This form of arthritis is caused when the cartilage surrounding the ends of the bones begins to degenerate and the joints are no longer cushioned. This caused the joints to rub together and in severe cases, you can hear the bones grating against one another. At the onset of osteoarthritis, the symptoms are usually mild and consist of pain and stiffness of the joints. As the disease progresses, inflammation and loss of motion can occur. In some severe cases, deformity can occur if the grinding joints wear one side of the joint more than the other.

Rheumatoid arthritis - This is the second most common type of arthritis and the most severe. Symptoms usually begin appearing between the ages of 25 and 50 - however, children and senior citizens can experience the onset of this disease. Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common type of inflammatory arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is considered an autoimmune disease because factors other than wear and tear of cartilage can cause the disease and the disease can affect other organs, such as the eyes, lungs, and heart. Rheumatoid arthritis usually affects the joints on both sides of the body - for instance, both hands will be affected, both wrists will be affected, and both legs will be affected. The most common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are pain, stiffness, swelling, redness of the skin, fatigue, weight loss, and low-grade fever. Not only affecting the joints, rheumatoid arthritis can give you an overall feeling of sickness. Rheumatoid arthritis can be a debilitating disease, however patients can experience periods of remission in which the symptoms disappear and they can lead a normal life.
Fibromyalgia - This is a type of arthritis that does not directly affect the joints. Rather, the inflammation and pain affect the muscles, ligaments, tendons, and soft tissues under the skin. Many patients have tender spots under the skin that are painful when any type of pressure is applied. The symptoms for Fibromyalgia include deep muscle pain, fatigue, sleeplessness, and depression. Symptoms may come and go, but the disease is long term and chronic.
Other Types of Arthritis

Anklyosing Spondylitis - a chronic, inflammatory disease that affects the spine. The common symptoms include lower back pain and stiffness that lasts for more than a period of three months, difficulty sleeping, fatigue, weight loss, and low-grade fever.

Gout - this disease usually affects the joints of the big toe, but can extend to the ankles, heels, knees, wrists, fingers, and elbow. The common symptoms are tenderness, pain, redness, warmth, and swelling of the affected joint.

Infectious Arthritis - this type of arthritis is caused by an infection, and can be caused by both bacterial and viral infections. The onset of infectious arthritis is sudden and the symptoms include swelling of the joint, soreness, warmth, leakage of tissue fluid, fever, and chills.

Cervical arthritis - this type of arthritis affects the upper back and can cause pain in the neck and arms. Cervical arthritis is caused when the cartilage protecting the discs that support the neck deteriorate. The most common symptom of cervical arthritis is chronic neck pain, but can include loss of balance, headaches, muscle weakness, and stiffness.

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis - this inflammatory arthritis affects children. The most common symptoms of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis are swelling, pain, and stiffness in joints. The symptoms are usually worse in children upon waking in the morning and after a nap. There is no known reason for the onset of arthritis in children and, unlike rheumatoid arthritis in adults, children sometimes outgrow the disease and the symptoms disappear.

These are just some of the many types of arthritis. In general terms, arthritis is any disease that involves inflammation - swelling and pain of the joints or muscles. If you suspect that you suffer from arthritis, you should consult your physician to determine the type of arthritis and learn what treatments are available.

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