Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that attacks the joints and connective tissue. Autoimmune diseases are illnesses that occur when the bodys tissue is mistakenly attacked by its own immune system. The immunes system is primarly organized to look for infections and destroy them, patients with rheumatoid arthritis have antibodies in their blood which target their own tissue which leads to inflammation. RA is basically a chronic syndrome that is characterized by inflammation of the peripheral joints, but it may also involve the lungs, the heart, the blood vessels and eyes. Patients with RA experience symptoms such as stiffness in the joints. The joints then have a limited range of motion. “ Morning stiffness is one of the hallmark symptoms of RA”(WebMD). The inflammation is caused by fluid that enters the joints and it becomes puffy, it can also cause redness and warmth which can be very painful. The small joints of the hand wrists, and feet are more commonly affected . the knees, ankles,shoulders hips and elbows may be involved as well but they are more common in early disease(Medicinenet.com) Rheumatoid arthritis signs and symptoms may vary in severity and may even come and go. Periods of increased disease activity, called flares, alternate with periods of relative remission when the swelling and pain fade or disappear. Over time, rheumatoid arthritis can cause joints to deform and shift out of place. The cause for RA is unknown, but researchers believe it can be caused by enviromental, hormonal and a combination of genetic factors. Some theories have suggested that a virus or bacteria may alter the immune system, causing it to attack the joints. Other theories suggest that smoking can cause Rheumatoid arthritis. Alth... ... middle of paper ... ...with the general population. Around 40% of all deaths in individuals with RA are related to cardiovascular causes and heart disease and stroke. “The most recent North American study of mortality among people with RA, based on data from 1965–1990, found a standardized mortality ratio of 2.3 among people with RA compared to the general population, that is, people with RA are more than twice as likely to die than people of the same age in the general population ”(CDC.gov). Works Cited http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Arthritis/default.asp/lirn.net http://www.arthritis.ca/aboutarthritis/lirn.net http://www.arthritis.org/conditions-treatments/disease-center/juvenile--arthritis/lirn.net http://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/rheumatoid.htm http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/default.htm?names-dropdown= http://www.medicinenet.com/rheumatoid_arthritis/article.htm
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory and an autoimmune disease that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s tissue (Rheumatoid arthritis, 2017). This disease affects the entire body, which is called a systemic (means entire body) disease. Arthritis is derived from the word part arthr-, which means “joint,” and -itis, which means “inflammation,” so altogether it means “inflammation of the joints.” It creates inflammation that causes the tissue that lines the inside of joints (synovium) to thicken. About 1.5 million people in the U.S. are affected. It affects all races, but it affects three times as many women than men (What is Rheumatoid Arthritis, n.d.). Overtime, rheumatoid arthritis causes painful swelling that can potentially result in bone erosion or joint deformity, which leads up to physical disabilities. RA can affect more than just your joints, but can spread to body systems, skin, eyes, lungs, heart, blood vessels, e.t.c (Rheumatoid arthritis, 2017).
Symptoms of osteoarthritis often develop slowly and worsen over the years. Signs and symptoms include: pain in joints, tenderness, stiffness, loss of flexibility, grating sensation joints (from bone on bone), and bone spurs.
As stated by the A.D.A.M Medical Encyclopedia, “ALS affects approximately 5 out of every 100,000 people worldwide” (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis- National Library of Medicine, 2012). ALS is also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. It is often called Lou Gehrig’s disease. The name derived from the famous New York Yankees player, Lou Gehrig, who lost his battle to ALS in 1941. Out of this tragedy came some light; ALS had the attention of the nation.
The causes of most cases of lupus is unknown, but it is believed that it is a result of both genetics and environment. Some people are genetically predisposed to lupus, and the onset of the disease can sometimes be triggered by some types of infections, drugs and even sunlight. Medications such as anti-seizure drugs, blood pressure medications and antibiotics. People with lupus brought on by drugs usually see their symptoms disappear when they stop the medication. In people who are susceptible to lupus sunlight can bring on lupus skin lesions.
Zelman, D. (2014) Joint Stiffness and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Available at: http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/guide/joint-stiffness-and-rheumatoid-arthritis (Accessed: 12th May 2014).
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, affecting more than 27 million Americans (LeMone, Burke, Bauldoff, 2011). It is caused when the cartilage in the joints breaks down, causing the bones of the joint to rub against one another. This causes pain, stiffness, and loss of motion in the joint. Osteoarthritis is most prevalent in those 65 and older, but can affect those of any age. In addition, African Americans and Hispanics report a higher incidence of arthritis than Caucasians (LeMone, Burke, Bauldoff, 2011). Although the cause is unknown, it is believed that the increasing age of the population, prevalence of obesity and injuries add to the progression of the condition. Osteoarthritis can affect any joint in the body; however, those of the hand, hip, and knee are often the most common. This condition may be asymptomatic, or may present symptoms including soreness, stiffness and pain. The symptoms are more common in the older population, those with limited activity levels, and those who are obese. Joint cartilage thins over time, causing an increased risk for symptoms in the elderly, and obesity puts extra pressure on the joints during activity. Osteoarthritis is commonly diagnosed with the use of a physical assessment along with results of radiology testing such as X-Ray and MRI.
Every disease is known for having their own cycle or process; well as for Osteoarthritis its process is pretty complex. In osteoarthritis (OA), at the end of the bone where they meet to form a joint, allowing movement, the cartilage covering the bone begins something called breakdown. Cartilage is a tissue that cushions the joint when it moves. As the cartilage wears away, the bones are now exposed and they begin to rub against one another. The bone is no longer functioning smoothly, for the joints shape and makeup is affected due to cartilage deterioration. Due to the fact that your bones are being rubbed against one another it is highly possible that other problems can occur inside the joint.
Arthritis affects people of all age groups. More than 100 types of arthritis are known. Among these osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis having the highest incidence. One of the major causes of chronic debilitation in industrialized nations is Osteoarthritis which results from damage to the joints, which may be due to trauma, infection, or age-related wear. Rheumatoid arthritis is encountered less frequently than osteoarthritis and is estimated to affect around one per cent of the world’s population. Amongst patients of Rheumatoid arthritis, women are three times more likely to be affected by this condition than men. This condition is caused by an inflammatory process where the body starts attacking itself. Rheumatoid arthritis also affects several joints, with inflammation sometimes seen in and around the lungs, the heart, the eyes and the skin. The most commonly reported complaint by arthritis patients is pain. The pain might be from the joint itself and be a result of inflammation, damage from the disease, or through daily wear and tear. Muscle pain is also common and is caused by having to force movements against stiff and painful joints. Although range of movement in the affected joint may be limited and uncomfortable, physical exercise has been shown to benefit those with arthritis. Physical therapy has been shown to significantly improve function, decrease pain in the long term and delay the need for surgery in advanced cases. The majority of arthritis cases occur among theelderly, however the disease can occur in children as well. Over 70% of the population that get affected by arthritis in North America are over the age of 65 (4). The disease occurs more commonly in females than males in all races, age groups, and ethn...
Approximately one million Americans suffer a heart attack annually. Four hundred thousand of these victims die as a result. Many of the heart attack deaths are due to ventricular fibrillation of the heart that occurs before the victim can reach any medical assistance or the emergency room. These electrical disturbances of the heart can be treated with medications once the patient reaches the hospital. Therefore, 90% to 95% of heart attack victims who make it to the hospital survive. The 5% to 10% who later die are those who have suffered major heart muscle damage.
Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are two symptoms of a single disease caused by an overactive immune system attacking the skin and joints of the affected individual. The “t-cells” or white blood cells that fight infection within your body are also the cause of psoriasis. Psoriasis is characterized by red patches of inflamed skin with a build-up of silvery-white colored dead skin or scale. Psoriatic arthritis is similar to rheumatoid arthritis as it is an inflammation of the joints. This inflammation can cause pain, stiffness, and even disfigurement. The same white blood cells attacking the skin are also attacking the cartilage in the joints. However, what is causing the white blood cells to attack the skin and joints is still unclear.
The disease can either be active or in remission depending on whether the tissues are inflamed or not. There are no systems when Rheumatoid Arthritis is in remission. When it becomes active again, it is called a flare and all the symptoms come back. The main symptoms are: fatigue, loss of appetite, fever, aches in the muscles and joints, and stiffness. The stiffness usually occurs in the morning or after resting for a long time. The joints can also go red, swell and be painful because the joint lining is inflamed which causes extra synovial fluid to be produced and the joint lining tissue to get thicker. The early symptoms usually are in small joints of the hands and wrists, and they are pain and stiffness...
Bibliography: Arthritis Foundation, Understanding Arthritis (1986); Kelley, William N., et al., eds., Textbook of Rheumatology, 2d ed., (1985); McCarty, Daniel F., ed., Arthritis and Allied Conditions, 11th ed. (1988); Moll, J. M. H., Rheumatology in Clinical Practice (1987).
One of the leading causes of death in the United States is heart disease. “Approximately every 29 seconds one American will have a heart attack, and once a minute one American will die from a heart attack” (Ford-Martin and Odle, 915). According to the Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine men over the age of 45 and women over the age of 55 are considered at risk for heart disease. Heart disease is a major cause of death. It is beneficial to individuals who seek to prevent heart disease to recognize the risks leading to heart attacks as they are one of the primary indications of developing heart disease; especially those that fall into the at risk age groups. These risks consist of some that cannot be changed such as heredity risks, or those that can change such as smoking habits. It is very important to know these specific risks for prevention and to understand the symptoms of heart attacks, such as sweating or the feeling of weakness so if these or other symptoms occur people are aware. Finally heart disease treatment is of vital importance if you experience a heart attack so you can learn how to prevent another one from occurring.
Arthritis occurs when the body incorrectly identifies its own tissue as foreign matter and attacks it. Arthritis includes a set of more than eighty autoimmune diseases. Arthritis attacks connective tissues and joints. It causes stiffness, pain, inflammation, and swelling of the joints. Some kinds are crippling, but rarely leads to death. There are many different kinds of arthritis, the main ones being Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis; others include gout and ankylosing spodylitis.
One of the most common mysteries in the world is the development of autoimmune diseases. An autoimmune disease is when the immune system, which usually keeps your body healthy thinks that your healthy cells are antigens and attacks them. This is irony right? It is against properties of evolution for an immune system to attack itself causing sickness and possibly death if untreated. There are about 80 different types of autoimmune diseases, which usually have periods of little to no symptoms and worsening symptoms. What particularly creates confusion in the world is the autoimmune disease, inflammatory bowel disease, which affects almost about five million people worldwide.