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Sunday, October, 25, 2009

What Is The Function Of The Immune System

Health Encyclopedia: Rheumatoid Arthritis Introduction

Introduction


Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic disease in which various joints in the body are inflamed, leading to swelling, pain, stiffness, and the possible loss of function. Some experts classify rheumatoid arthritis as type 1 or type 2.

  • Type 1, the less common form, lasts a few months at most and leaves no permanent disability.
  • Type 2 is chronic and lasts for years, sometimes for life.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks itself. The patte...
Read more »

Expert & Community Posts

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Modern Living & Our Immune System
By Kathleen MacNaughton , Health Expert

...in today's world that is harming our immune system functioning.   Scientists want to know why.... Read more »

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Another Advance in Genetic Research
By Christine Miller , Health Expert

...autoimmune disorders, a genetic defect, or lesser functioning of the genes, causes the... Read more »

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Rethinking the Cause of Alzheimer's
By Christine Kennard , Health Expert

...Alzheimer's disease.   Rapid decline in cognitive functions have previously been noted in... Read more »

19065
Campath (alemtuzumab) and MS Patients - Positive Phase 2 Results
By Lisa Emrich , Health Expert

...received alemtuzumab recovered some of their lost functions and so were less disabled after... Read more »

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A Closer Look at Probiotics
By Amy Thomas , Health Expert

...compose our GI flora, and they often perform useful functions like modulating our immune system,... Read more »

Health Guide

10 Steps to Increase Your Parent's Mental Agility and Memory
...brain. Almost 70 years ago, a scientist declared that the aging brain diminished in memory, agility, and functionality while increasing in senility. Without much challenge, this theory was... Read more »
New Treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis
...and skin cancers. While I am excited about the potential these drugs have to bring relief and daily function to so many people, I continue to have the same reservations that I have previously... Read more »
Causes of Cardiac Enlargement
...of angina and heart attack. Heart failure results because thickened or dilated heart muscle cannot function effectively as a pump. The diseased muscle cells in both types of enlargement are... Read more »
Acupuncture
...passages of Qi running along meridian or channel lines of the body that are essential for the proper functioning of organs and tissues in creating good health. Qi seems like a mysterious,... Read more »
Hepatitis: Introduction
...organ in the body, occupying the entire upper right quadrant of the abdomen. It performs over 500 vital functions including:The liver processes all of the nutrients the body requires, including... Read more »

Medications

Rox40840_53140_5

...reduce further joint damage and to preserve joint function. How To Use Take this... Read more »

A0425340_63716_5

...disease and joint damage, resulting in improved daily functioning and quality of life. This... Read more »

Abt37990_150224_5

...to reduce further joint damage and preserve joint function. This medication is also used to... Read more »

Bih00290_65581_5

...desmopressin certain drugs which decrease immune system function (e.g., cyclosporine,... Read more »

Abt37990_150224_5

...to reduce further joint damage and preserve joint function. This medication is also used to... Read more »

Related News

Diabetes Drug May Transform Cancer Treatments
June 16, 2009

(Ivanhoe Newswire) ? A popular anti-diabetic drug can improve the immune system and increase the effectiveness of vaccines and cancer treatments.... Read summary »

Sticking it to Osteoarthritis
May 05, 2008

BALTIMORE (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- About one-third of adults over age 50 have osteoarthritis a condition where bones and joints become achy and painful.... Read summary »

New Hope for Rheumatoid Arthritis
January 19, 2009

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- People with rheumatoid arthritis are generally either lacking a gene needed to keep their immune system from attacking their... Read summary »

Stay Healthy With Sleep
December 16, 2008

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- The best way to stay healthy could be to get a good night's sleep. New research shows your immune system works in overdrive at... Read summary »

New Hope for Neurodegenerative Diseases
April 14, 2009

(Ivanhoe Newswire) ? A better understanding of how inflammation impacts neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson's disease may one day lead to new... Read summary »