Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic (long-lasting) inflammatory disease that causes pain, stiffness, warmth, redness and swelling in joints. Over time, the affected joint can become misshapen, misaligned and damaged. Tissue lining the joint can become thick, and may wear away surrounding ligaments, cartilage and bone as it spreads. Rheumatoid arthritis usually occurs in a symmetrical pattern, meaning that if one knee or hand has it, the other usually does, too.
The cause of rheumatoid...
Read moreIn my previous post, Can I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus?, I introduced the topic of comorbidity. Diseases are called comorbid when... Read more »
Right now, my arthritis is being well-controlled with injectable Methotrexate, and lupus with the help of Quinacrine (and a cadre of other,... Read more »
A few weeks ago, I boarded a plane and headed out to sunny California for a wine tasting mini-break in Napa to celebrate a good friend’s... Read more »
One of the best-studied musculoskeletal problems is chronic neck pain. The most common cause of chronic neck pain is facet joint disease.... Read more »
Some people with rheumatoid arthritis complain of hearing loss, a full feeling in their ears or fluid in their ear. Although hearing loss... Read more »
Q: How do most patients get referred to a rheumatologist in the first place?Kremer: Usually, it’s the pain that’s perceived to be arthritis pain.... Read more »
Source: ADAM Encyclopedia
RA; Arthritis - rheumatoidTreatmentRA usually requires lifelong treatment, including medications, physical therapy, exercise, education, and possibly... Read more »
Source: ADAM Encyclopedia
Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are the standard treatments for RA. They are used... Read more »
Source: Medifocus Guidebook on: Rheumatoid Arthritis
Goals of Treatment for Rheumatoid ArthritisThe primary goals of treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) include: Alleviating joint-related symptoms... Read more »
Diseases that fall under spondyloarthritis umbrella are ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis (known previously as Reiter's syndrome) psoriatic... Read more »