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