| There are over one hundred different forms of | | | | arthritis you may be suffering from. Most |
| arthritis, though most people are familiar | | | | people don't realize they have developed |
| with only a few of them. One of the most | | | | rheumatoid arthritis because it starts off |
| commonly heard terms is rheumatoid arthritis, | | | | feeling like a flu bug. |
| which is an inflammatory disease that affects | | | | |
| joints and causes them to become crooked and | | | | However, eventually, multiple joints are |
| appear as if fingers are growing almost | | | | affected, usually on one side of the body. |
| sideways. This type of arthritis affects over | | | | The most common areas of attack are joints in |
| two million Americans every year. | | | | the fingers, at the base of the fingers, |
| | | | wrist, elbows and knees. Ankle joints and |
| While it's unknown exactly what causes | | | | bone joints of the feet may also be affected. |
| rheumatoid arthritis, it is known that the | | | | |
| condition damages the synovial tissue that | | | | Many people who hit their forties feel |
| connects bones and joints in the hands, feet, | | | | morning stiffness that eases as the day |
| and anywhere else in the body where bending | | | | progresses, but most types of arthritis also |
| is allowed. With this condition, the synovial | | | | starts off that way. One of the best ways to |
| tissue, or membrane, losses its smooth | | | | distinguish normal aging and stiff joints |
| surface and texture and begins to develop | | | | from rheumatoid arthritis is experiencing |
| extra tissue that is called pannus. This | | | | warmth in the joint area. |
| formation causes an excess of enzymes that | | | | |
| will eventually destroy surrounding | | | | Another indication that arthritis may be |
| cartilage, bone and other soft tissues | | | | present is the appearance of reddened and |
| associated with joints, and the result is | | | | swollen joints that feel tender and painful |
| painful. | | | | when touched. Flare-ups may last for several |
| | | | days, or several weeks, and may often grow |
| Inflamed areas, especially in tendons, can | | | | worse in winter months. |
| cause shortening, and if tendons rupture, | | | | |
| joint strength and stability is severely | | | | Determining the course of treatment for |
| impaired. While in most cases, rheumatoid | | | | rheumatoid arthritis depends on many |
| arthritis strikes older people, it is also | | | | different factors, such as symptoms and the |
| found in those as young as twenty years old. | | | | stage of development of the disease. Taking |
| Most cases of this type of arthritis develop | | | | an active part in the treatment of symptoms |
| between the ages of 20 and 45, though that's | | | | is one of the best things you can do if |
| just the norm. In many scenarios, the | | | | diagnosed with this type of arthritis. |
| condition runs in families, suggesting a | | | | |
| strong genetic link. | | | | Exercise and joint strengthening exercise |
| | | | throughout your life will help keep many |
| Since many different types of arthritis | | | | forms of arthritis at bay, and mediations and |
| mirror signs and symptoms, it's important to | | | | other treatments may ease pain and swelling |
| write down your symptoms, their duration, and | | | | associated with rheumatoid arthritis. |
| the course of the symptoms as far as length | | | | However, it's important for people to follow |
| of time you've been feeling them, in order to | | | | the course of action prescribed by a |
| help your doctor determine which form of | | | | rheumatologist for optimum benefits. |