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, 19:54, 11 June 2008Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, multi system, and inflammatory autoimmune disorder that will bring on an attack to the joints. It is a very crippling and painful condition that can lead to loss of
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== Sclerodoma ==
A rare problem called Scleroderma is a chronic disease that is known by the excessive deposit of collagen. It is going to affect at least 300,000 people in the U.S. Scleroderma is four times as common in women than it is in men. Having progressive systemic scleroderma is known as systemic sclerosis and it is a common type of disease and can be fatal.
Scleroderma will mostly affect the skin and it is most known to have hardening skin and associated scarring. This will give a reddish or scaly appearance. There are blood vessels that may also tend to be more visible. There is fat and muscle wastage that will weaken the limbs and affect their appearance when there is a larger area affected. In most of the serious cases, scleroderma can affect the blood vessels.
It is serious because scleroderma goes between two cases. The most important things to know are to consider the level of internal attachment that is occurring under the skin and the total area that is covered by the disease. A person may have only one or two affected areas or lesions or they may have many larger ones. Many people that suffer from scleroderma have Raynaud’s phenomenon and this is an arthritic vascular symptom that can affect the fingers and toes. The hands and the feel may have discoloration because of the cold. Raynaud’s phenomenon and systemic scleroderma can be the cause of painful ulcers on the fingers and toes too. Calcinosis is the deposits of calcium around the joints and it is common for the sufferers of systemic scleroderma and can often be found near the elbows, knees or other joints.
There are three major types of scleroderma. They are diffuse, limited and morphea sometimes called linear. The first type diffuse scleroderma is a systemic disease. It is the most severe form. It is known by the fast onset a will involve more skin hardening. Diffuse scleroderma will cause severe internal organ damage to the lungs and gastrointestinal tract. It is more life threatening.
The second kind, limited scleroderma is known as CREST syndrome. CREST is an acronym that stands for Calcinosis that is known as Raynaud’s Syndrome. Esophageal dysmotility Sclerodactyly and Telangiectasia are the five major symptoms of limited scleroderma. CREST is a systemic disease and is much milder. It has a slow process. The skin hardening is usually just on the face and hands and internal organ process is less severe. The prognosis is much better for limited scleroderma.
There is no cure for this disease but there is treatment for some of the symptoms. These treatments will mean drugs that soften the skin and reduce the swelling. Having heat exposure will also help most of the patients. You need to speak to your doctor about more information on this case.
== Rheumatoid Arthritis ==
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, multi system, and inflammatory autoimmune disorder that will bring on an attack to the joints. It is a very crippling and painful condition that can lead to loss of mobility to the pain and joint devastation. Rheumatoid arthritis is systemic and will also affect different tissues through the body, skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs and muscles. Rheumatoid arthritis will affect anyone between the ages of 20 and 40 and can start anytime. A family history is important to the risk. It is three times more common in women than in men and up to four times more common in smokers than non-smokers.
The symptoms will separate rheumatoid arthritis from other types of arthritis because of the inflammation and soft tissue swelling of many joints at the same time. This is known as polyarthritis. The joints are usually affected asymmetrically and then will go on to the symmetrical part as the disease goes on. It is not like the other forms of arthritis like osteoarthrits because the pain will move with the use of the joints that are affected.
As the disease goes on, the inflammatory activity will lead to the erosion and destruction of the joints that will impair their range of movement and lead to some deformity. The fingers and the bones will deviate to the outside and towards the small finger and take on unnatural shapes. Having deformities in patients that are dealing with rheumatoid arthritis will include the Boutonnière deformity, the swan neck deformity, and the “Z-thumb” deformity.
Because rheumatoid arthritis is a multisystem disease, other disease and conditions may form as a result of it. Many of the people that have rheumatoid arthritis will also have anemia. Anemia is a problem of the red blood cells because there are not enough of them and or the hemoglobin and this will cause the lower ability of oxygen to be taken to the tissues. It is a chronic disease and many will suffer from it and splenomegaly or the enlarging of the spleen. Felty’s syndrome and Sjogren’s syndrome which is an autoimmune disorder in which the cells attack and ruin the exocrine glands and produce salvia and tears. Dermological will affect nodules on exterior surfaces. Fibrosis may occur in the lungs at any time or as a result of different treatments.
There are several things for diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis. Having stiffness in the morning that goes on for longer than one hour is an example as is the arthritis and soft tissue swelling of more than three out of 14 joints or in the joint groups. Arthritis of hand joints like symmetric arthritis, subcutaneous nodules in specific places, a rheumatoid factor at a level above the 95th place and radiological changes that are suggested of joint erosion and are part of the criteria. There are at least four of these things hat have to be met in order to establish a diagnoses.
The treatments for rheumatoid arthritis are going to be placed in disease modifying antirheumatic drugs or (DMARDS), anti inflammatory agents and analgesics. DMARDS is known to start durable remissions and delay the disease process, prevent bone and joint damage as well. Anti inflammatory agents and analgesics can help to improve pain and stiffness but do not stop any damage or slow down the disease in any way.
== Reactive Arthritis ==
There is something commonly known as Reiter’s Syndrome and is reactive arthritis. It is a type of arthritis that is known by swelling, redness, and heat in the joints. This is going to be especially in the spine and inflammation of other joints, urinary tract and even the eyes. Reiter’s Syndrome is something that is related to the family of different arthritic conditions that is known as spondylarthropathies. This is known to bother the spine. Anyone that is suffering from Reiter’s Syndrome will have fever, swelling, and ulcers in the mouth, weight loss and sores on the skin.
With many of the diseases that are known today, Reiter’s Syndrome has no confirmed cause and can affect anyone of any age, gender or race. There are researchers that do believe that Reiter’s Syndrome is going to be due to mostly genetics because there are many tendencies that seem to run in families. There is about 75% of people who are suffering from Reiter’s Syndrome have a certain gene that is known to start the condition. This is a painful disease that will affect young men who are white and around the ages of 20 and 40. Reiter’s Syndrome is also known to develop after certain infections in the small intestine, genitals, and urinary tract. It is linked to salmonella contamination, so you nee to take measures to avoid this condition by being sure that your foods are cooked properly.
This disease does affect a number of parts of the body. There are different treatments that must be used to help the patients be healthy and have normal lives. Medications like NSAIDS that block and stop inflammation in joints and may be used. There are antibiotics and skin medications that are used to clear up the painful sores that will start on the body. Anyone that is suffering from Reiter’s Syndrome will also see urologists to deal with the urinary tract infections and occupational therapists will take care of the joints. Use dermatologists to clear up the skin problems and there are physical therapists to teach different exercises that can be done to help lower the pain and swelling in joints. Anyone may also want to see doctors that specialize in the eyes because this is a condition that causes inflammation in this part of the body too. If you or someone that you know is diagnosed with Reiter’s Syndrome called Reactive Arthritis, you need to learn as much about it as you can so that you can learn to live with it and have a normal life.
== Medical Professionals ==
If you are diagnosed with the arthritis or other conditions that are caused in discomfort in the form of pain and inflammation at the joints you may want to consider visiting an occupational therapist to learn how to live better in your life. You can also learn to pay for home care so hat you is able to have the help that you need during this time. Occupational therapy is an important part of the care that you can learn to adjust to your life on a daily basis to take your arthritis into account. Home care professionals also can make daily life easier and often times by doing some work for you. With both cases you can live a more fulfilling life with the help of these professionals in the medical field and by the help of your friends and family.
Occupational therapy is something that your primary care doctor will help with. Check first before your appointment to see if your occupational therapy is going to be covered by your health care insurance. Occupational therapists have a professional license and are trained to how those that are suffering from different diseases and problems on how to live daily in life. When you first start to deal with the arthritic pain, you may find that the most difficult thing that you are going to take on is not the pain but the loss of your independence. Arthritis can also lead to hand deformities that make many things difficult and may also confine you to a wheel chair later on. Occupational therapists can either take care of you at your office or at your home. This will help you learn different techniques for personal grooming, dressing, getting in and out of bed, and even driving. With the help you can maintain a certain level of independence that would not otherwise help people.
There are other home care help that can also be used to your advantage to avoid having to inhabit nursing homes or move in with relatives. Some communities have meals on wheels to help provide dinner. This is a service along with others that is going to help senior citizens who are looking to remain independent. There are also services that send nurses to your home daily to help you with things and check your vital signs, give you medicine, and other help for you. When you are dealing with arthritis, some of these things may not be possible on your own with the help of services. Arthritis does not have to be the end of your happiness. If your condition is severe, occupational help and other home care professionals can help you enjoy a happy and normal life.
== Arthritic Pain ==
Having pain is your body’s way of telling you that something is wrong. For some people, they say “no pain, no gain” and pain is a sign that they have done something to the point of destruction and the body will let you know this. Most of pain is not that productive. If you are suffering from arthritis you are going to have pain in the joints and this can keep you from doing the things that you want to. It is important to have pain management so that you can deal with the arthritis and live from day to day with hardly any frustration.
Like a red flashing light, your pain in the body is going to signal that you need to stop what you are doing and take action about your body’s health. Pain is very natural and it does not have to be hard for you. There are a number of things that can cause arthritic pain. Pain can be caused by inflammation in the joints. This type of pain is usually joined by redness and swelling in younger patients or anyone that just develops a condition. A second cause is damage to the joint tissue. We usually feel that we have pulled a muscle when this type of pain is occurring and it can be a condition due to stress on a joint or another problem.
Pain can also happen from fatigue. You may simple have a small amount of lingering pain; being tired can make you have this more. Think of it in terms of a headache at the end of the day when you are tired. Joint pain works in the same way. Depression and stress can cause pain or make your pain more severe than it really is. This is a terrible cycle to start. You will get depressed when you have pain and this will cause you to be more depressed which will cause you to feel even worse.
Arthritic pain in people is likely to fell a lot different than other kinds of pain. It is important to have a pain management system. This will also include eating healthy and exercising better to improve the condition. Taking medication will also help. You may also want to use massage to help you with your arthritis as well. Stay optimistic about you outlook for life and take on the challenge of pain when it comes. Arthritis is going to be hard but you can overcome it so that you have a normal life.
== Psoriatic Arthritis ==
== Psoriatic Arthritis ==
There are a lot of people that are diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis and experience swelling of the joints in the body. This will include the wrists, knees, back, elbows, and fingers. This condition will also bring gray areas of skin that are very dry around the knees, elbows and lower back. The people that are suffering from the condition will often have fingers that appear sausage like and pitted nails or cuts around the fingernails. The cause of the condition is not known but experts think that a combination of genetic predispositions and the environment play roles in the development of psoriatic arthritis. You can find these problems at any age and with any gender or race. The most common age for psoriatic arthritis will start between age 20 and 50.
There are a lot of people that are diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis and experience swelling of the joints in the body. This will include the wrists, knees, back, elbows, and fingers. This condition will also bring gray areas of skin that are very dry around the knees, elbows and lower back. The people that are suffering from the condition will often have fingers that appear sausage like and pitted nails or cuts around the fingernails. The cause of the condition is not known but experts think that a combination of genetic predispositions and the environment play roles in the development of psoriatic arthritis. You can find these problems at any age and with any gender or race. The most common age for psoriatic arthritis will start between age 20 and 50.
This is a condition that is tricky because the patients are dealing with the two fused diseases. One is of the skin and the one of the joints. It is important to talk to your doctor or have another medical professional helping you with treatments. There are many drugs that can have a negative reaction to it. There are different options other than medication that you can use to treat this disease. Some exercises will work well with those patients that have swelling in their joints. You can also have skin therapy to treat psoriatic parts of the disease. Heat and cold can be used to treat psoriatic arthritis. Rest is very important too. Using splints and surgery are not usually used but the options are available for more of the extreme conditions. Cosmetically this is a disease that can be treated with laser surgery light treatment. There are other corrective cosmetic surgeries too. You can talk to our doctor to find out more on this disease and your options for treatments.
This is a condition that is tricky because the patients are dealing with the two fused diseases. One is of the skin and the one of the joints. It is important to talk to your doctor or have another medical professional helping you with treatments. There are many drugs that can have a negative reaction to it. There are different options other than medication that you can use to treat this disease. Some exercises will work well with those patients that have swelling in their joints. You can also have skin therapy to treat psoriatic parts of the disease. Heat and cold can be used to treat psoriatic arthritis. Rest is very important too. Using splints and surgery are not usually used but the options are available for more of the extreme conditions. Cosmetically this is a disease that can be treated with laser surgery light treatment. There are other corrective cosmetic surgeries too. You can talk to our doctor to find out more on this disease and your options for treatments.
== Paget’s disease ==
== Paget’s disease ==