Rheumatoid arthritis (patient information): Difference between revisions

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==Treatment options==
==Treatment options==
There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis. Treatment opinion includes medication, [[physical therapy]] and [[surgery]]. The opinion depends on the diesease condition.  Occupational and physical therapy can teach you how to protect your joints. If your joints are severely damaged by rheumatoid arthritis, surgery may be necessary.
*Medications: The goal of medications can reduce inflammation to relieve [[pain]] and prevent or slow joint damage.
:*[[Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug]]s ([[NSAID]]s): NSAIDs may be used to control inflammation and pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Usual drugs include [[ibuprofen]], [[naproxen]] and [[indomethacin]]. Usual [[side effect]]s are [][pain]], bleeding and ulcers in upper gastrointestinal tract.
:*[[Corticosteroid]]s: Corticosteroids are generally prescribed for patients who cannot take [[NSAID]]s. These drugs can be used by oral or by injection into the joint to control inflammation and [[pain]]. [[Side effect]]s of corticosteroids may include a decreased ability against infection, worse healing in the wound and osteoporosis.
:*[[Disease-modifying antirheumatic drug]]s ([[DMARD]]s): These drugs can slow the progression of rheumatoid arthritis and prevent the joints and other tissues from permanent damage. Usual medications of DMARDs include [[methotrexate]], [[leflunomide]], [[hydroxychloroquine]], [[sulfasalazine]] and [[minocycline]]. [[Side effect]]s include liver damage, bone marrow suppression and severe [[pulmonary infection]]s.
:*[[Immunosuppressant]]s: Because rheumatoid arthritis is a autoimmunedisease, immunosuppressants can be use to control your immune system. Common medications include [[azathioprine]], [[cyclosporine]] and [[cyclophosphamide]]. [[Side effect]]s may include a decreased ability against [[infection]].
:*[[TNF-alpha inhibitor]]s: TNF-alpha inhibitors, such as [[etanercept]], [[infliximab]] and [[adalimumab]], can also help relieve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. [[Side effect]]s include injection site irritation, [[congestive heart failure]], [[lymphoma]] and increased risk of [[infection]].
*[[Physical therapy]]: The aim of physical therapy is to take stress off your painful joints. The therapist can treat you by hands or by assistive devices.
*[[Surgery]]: If medications fail to prevent or slow joint damage, surgery may be recommended to repair damaged joints and restore your ability to use the joints. Surgeries on rheumatoid arthritis include:
:*Total joint replacement ([[arthroplasty]])
:*Tendon repair
:*Removal of the joint lining ([[synovectomy]])
:*Joint fusion ([[arthrodesis]])


==Diseases with similar symptoms==
==Diseases with similar symptoms==

Revision as of 20:17, 9 April 2010

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What is rheumatoid arthritis?

How do I know if I have rheumatoid arthritis and what are the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis?

Affected joints of rheumatoid arthritis include the fingers, wrists, elbows, shoulders, hips, knees, ankles, toes, jaw, and neck. Signs and symptoms come and go, depending on the degree of tissue inflammation. When the disease is active, the following symptoms appear.

Who is at risk for rheumatoid arthritis?

As a autoimmune disease, the cause of rheumatoid arthritis is not clear.

How to know you have rheumatoid arthritis?

  • Blood tests: These tests can assist in making a diagnosis of rheumatic arthritis.
  • Synovial fluid examination: When a patient demonstrate the signs of acute inflammatory arthritis, it is necessary to aspirate synovial fluid of the involved joint to rule out an infectious arthritis. During the procedure, the doctor may use a needle to draw fluid from your affected joint. Based on the discovery of urate crystals in the synovial fluid or soft tissues, the doctors can confirm the diagnosis.
  • Joint x-ray: This image can help track the progression of rheumatoid arthritis in the joints over time.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): An MRI uses magnetic fields but it is a different type of image than what is produced by computed tomography (CT) and produces detailed images of the joint.

When to seek urgent medical care?

Call your doctor if you have symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Treatment options

There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis. Treatment opinion includes medication, physical therapy and surgery. The opinion depends on the diesease condition. Occupational and physical therapy can teach you how to protect your joints. If your joints are severely damaged by rheumatoid arthritis, surgery may be necessary.

  • Medications: The goal of medications can reduce inflammation to relieve pain and prevent or slow joint damage.
  • Physical therapy: The aim of physical therapy is to take stress off your painful joints. The therapist can treat you by hands or by assistive devices.
  • Surgery: If medications fail to prevent or slow joint damage, surgery may be recommended to repair damaged joints and restore your ability to use the joints. Surgeries on rheumatoid arthritis include:

Diseases with similar symptoms

Where to find medical care for rheumatoid arthritis?

Directions to Hospitals Treating rheumatoid arthritis

Prevention of rheumatoid arthritis

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Copyleft Sources

http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/articles/876.printerview.html

http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Rheumatic_Disease/rheumatoid_arthritis_ff.asp

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000431.htm

http://www.medicinenet.com/rheumatoid_arthritis/article.htm

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/rheumatoid-arthritis/DS00020

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