| There are over one hundred different forms of | | | | which form of arthritis you may be suffering from. |
| arthritis, though most people are familiar with only a | | | | Most people don't realize they have developed |
| few of them. One of the most commonly heard | | | | rheumatoid arthritis because it starts off feeling like a |
| terms is rheumatoid arthritis, which is an inflammatory | | | | flu bug. |
| disease that affects joints and causes them to | | | | However, eventually, multiple joints are affected, |
| become crooked and appear as if fingers are growing | | | | usually on one side of the body. The most common |
| almost sideways. This type of arthritis affects over | | | | areas of attack are joints in the fingers, at the base |
| two million Americans every year. | | | | of the fingers, wrist, elbows and knees. Ankle joints |
| While it's unknown exactly what causes rheumatoid | | | | and bone joints of the feet may also be affected. |
| arthritis, it is known that the condition damages the | | | | Many people who hit their forties feel morning |
| synovial tissue that connects bones and joints in the | | | | stiffness that eases as the day progresses, but most |
| hands, feet, and anywhere else in the body where | | | | types of arthritis also starts off that way. One of |
| bending is allowed. With this condition, the synovial | | | | the best ways to distinguish normal aging and stiff |
| tissue, or membrane, losses its smooth surface and | | | | joints from rheumatoid arthritis is experiencing |
| texture and begins to develop extra tissue that is | | | | warmth in the joint area. |
| called pannus. This formation causes an excess of | | | | Another indication that arthritis may be present is the |
| enzymes that will eventually destroy surrounding | | | | appearance of reddened and swollen joints that feel |
| cartilage, bone and other soft tissues associated with | | | | tender and painful when touched. Flare-ups may last |
| joints, and the result is painful. | | | | for several days, or several weeks, and may often |
| Inflamed areas, especially in tendons, can cause | | | | grow worse in winter months. |
| shortening, and if tendons rupture, joint strength and | | | | Determining the course of treatment for rheumatoid |
| stability is severely impaired. While in most cases, | | | | arthritis depends on many different factors, such as |
| rheumatoid arthritis strikes older people, it is also | | | | symptoms and the stage of development of the |
| found in those as young as twenty years old. Most | | | | disease. Taking an active part in the treatment of |
| cases of this type of arthritis develop between the | | | | symptoms is one of the best things you can do if |
| ages of 20 and 45, though that's just the norm. In | | | | diagnosed with this type of arthritis. |
| many scenarios, the condition runs in families, | | | | Exercise and joint strengthening exercise throughout |
| suggesting a strong genetic link. | | | | your life will help keep many forms of arthritis at bay, |
| Since many different types of arthritis mirror signs | | | | and mediations and other treatments may ease pain |
| and symptoms, it's important to write down your | | | | and swelling associated with rheumatoid arthritis. |
| symptoms, their duration, and the course of the | | | | However, it's important for people to follow the |
| symptoms as far as length of time you've been | | | | course of action prescribed by a rheumatologist for |
| feeling them, in order to help your doctor determine | | | | optimum benefits. |