Rheumatoid Arthritis: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and More
Diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis
If someone has seen the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, call the doctor immediately. A physical examination and laboratory tests will be performed by the doctor to diagnose the disease. In some cases, X- rays or blood test may require by the health care provider to determine the signs and symptoms of the disease. Patients should go to a Rheumatologist for diagnose the diseases. There are various tests available for diagnose rheumatoid arthritis, such as
- Rheumatoid factor test.
- Synovial fluid analysis.
- X-rays of joints.
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate is elevated.
- CBC can show abnormal platelet counts or low hematocrit.
Blood tests
Blood test is used to measure the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. It can help to indicate the presence of an inflammatory process in the body. People, who are affected by rheumatoid arthritis, tend to have elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
Rheumatoid factor will be looked by another blood test. In some cases, it may possible to not have the rheumatoid arthritis and have in the blood.
Imaging
X-ray will be taken by the doctor to differentiate between rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. A series of X-rays can help to show the progress of arthritis.
SYMPTOMS OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
- Swelling and pain in the joints, especially in the joints of feet and hands.
- Excessive fatigue
- Skin redness of inflammation
- Loss of motion of the affected joints
- Low-grade fever
- paleness
- Malaise
- Eye itching, burning or discharge
- Stiffness or aching of the muscles and joints, especially after periods of rest or sleep.
- Tingling or numbness
- Swollen glands
- Loss of strength in muscles, which are attached to the affected joints.
- Deformity of the joints.
- Loss of appetite
- Anemia.
- Inflammation of the lungs.
This disease causes several problems in various joints. It is most affected the joints in hands, knees, wrists and feet. Sometimes, elbows, jaw, shoulders, neck and hips can become involved in the progress of the disease.
Rheumatoid nodules (small lumps) may develop under the skin at pressure points. It can occur at the hands, Achilles tendons, elbows and feet. These nodules can find in size from small to large. These are not harmful.
Rheumatoid arthritis tends to vary in severity and may come and go. Periods of increased disease activity with periods of relative remission, during problems in sleeping, weakness fade swelling or pain.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Causes
There are not main causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Various factors such as changes in hormones, heredity and possible infection by a virus or bacterium are involved in the abnormal activity of the immune system.
There is the main role of body’s immune system in rheumatoid arthritis. People who are suffered from rheumatoid arthritis have an abnormal immune system. White blood cells make antibodies that help to protect the body from foreign substances, in a health immune system. Rheumatoid factor is an example of this miscommunication in the body.
Rheumatoid factor may direct to regulate antibodies produced by the body. It works well in persons who have a little quantity of rheumatoid factor. However, people with large quantities of rheumatoid factor may have a malfunctioning immune system. Therefore, a test for measuring rheumatoid factor will be required to diagnose the disease.
Gender
Women are mostly affected by this disease. Rheumatoid arthritis typically goes into remission in case of pregnant women. Women get rheumatoid arthritis more after pregnancy and signs and symptoms may increase after newborn baby. So, gender may play a role to progress of rheumatoid arthritis.
Infection
According to some scientists and physicians, rheumatoid arthritis by various type of infection. But, there is no proof for this cause. This disease is not spread from one person to other person.
Genetics
Most scientists and researchers believe that rheumatoid arthritis may cause by genes. HLA-DR4 (specific genetic developed with rheumatoid arthritis) is found in 20% of population. People with specific marker may not get rheumatoid arthritis.
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