Rheumatoid Arthritis Cause: What Lies Within?

The true rheumatoid arthritis cause is still a mystery. Researchers and scientists are still clueless about this issue as they simply cannot find any evidence for which the immune system would turn against its own self. However, there are some factors that these researchers have pointed out as potential, yet probable causes of rheumatoid arthritis, read to discover what lies within:

Genetic or Hereditary Factors:

It has been discovered by scientists that some genes are known very well to play an important role in our immune system and these genes are allied with the tendency of developing rheumatoid arthritis. Some people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis might not have these genes; but others might have these genes in them, but not the disease. Though contradictory, but this suggests that the genetic factors can play a very important role in analyzing and determining whether or not a person is likely to develop the disease. However, it isn?t the sole factor though. But it is quite clear that one gene cannot make all the difference; more genes are involved in the development of the disease.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Factor Explained

Rheumatoid arthritis factor or RA or RF, is basically an antibody. It can easily attack itself to substances in our body known as immunoglobulin G or IgG to form a molecule called immune complex. This immune complex can actually trigger various diseases and particularly the ones that cause inflammation process in our body. It is very much present in the human blood and a lab test can measure the level of RA factor.

Antibodies are like general protein contained in the body and they also function within our immune system. The rheumatoid factor, which is an immunoglobulin, can actually bind itself to the other antibodies present to trigger a disease. However, rheumatoid factor isn?t found normally in most of the populace; only about 1-2% of the healthy people are likely to suffer from this problem. The frequency of rheumatoid factor is likely to accelerate with age. It has been observed that almost 20% of humans above the age of 65 years have increased rheumatoid factor.

Patients having positive rheumatoid factors are at an increased risk of various aggressive diseases like joint inflammation, rheumatoid lung or eye inflammation. These conditions are extremely painful and can be very distressing as well. Also, rheumatoid nodules are quite common amongst people having positive rheumatoid factor. These nodules or lumps can be found in the elbows.

Stress Causes Rheumatoid Arthritis ? Proven

It has been reportedly said by many patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis that sudden episodes of trauma or stress preceded the commencement of the symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis. It is said that the pain tends to get more intense and the flares are greater than usual. While it is almost impossible to measure the degree of stress, some researchers however, have given clues that certain stressful events, like the death of someone, accidents, failures, rejections, loss of job and emotional set backs often leads to stress. These symptoms tend to manifest greatly in people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and also aggravate the conditions.

But is there any such concrete evidence to prove that stress causes rheumatoid arthritis? Can stress actually aggravate the condition of a rheumatoid arthritic patient?

Misconceptions about the Disease Rheumatoid Arthritis

Diseases are often accompanied by several misconceptions or myths and the disease rheumatoid arthritis is no exception. These myths can actually mislead a patient and the cause of treatment of the disease as well if not explained earlier on. So, in order to understand the disease in a better way, here?s a detailed list of all the misconceptions associated with the disease to help you out:

Misconception 1: Arthritis is a disease that affects only the old and aged people.

This is a wrong concept altogether as rheumatoid arthritis can strike any people at any given point of time. Rheumatoid arthritis can happen to young adults, to children and to the elderly. Neither is the disease gender-specific, nor is it age-specific. There are more than hundreds of rheumatoid arthritis types and associated rheumatic conditions, and some of the conditions are particularly found in certain groups.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Joint and Pregnancy

Women having rheumatoid arthritis joint must be very careful during their pregnancy. A special medical care and advice becomes essential for women with rheumatoid arthritis during their pregnancy period. Some women having rheumatoid arthritis have also been allegedly advised not to get pregnant for the sake of their health and the health of the baby as well

There is a sheer uncertainty about the affect of rheumatoid arthritis on a pregnant women and that calls for all the problems associated with it. But you need not worry, as with proper guidance and medical advice, you can also carry your pregnancy forward and handle it with care.

Some of the pregnancy advices for rheumatoid arthritis patients have been noted below:

Rheumatoid Arthritis- An Overview

Rheumatoid arthritis, pronounced as rue-ma-TOYD arth-write-tis is a typical condition usually characterized by the swelling of the synovium or the lining of our joints. This chronic disease can as well lead to permanent joint damage, thus causing immense pain and impaired functionality.

Rheumatoid arthritis or RA affects the human body in 3 different stages. During the first or the initial stage, the synovial lining tends to inflame and is accompanied by chronic pain, stiffness, warmth, swelling and redness around the lining of the joint. The following stage, which is the second stage, leads to the division as well as the growth of the cells or the panus almost rapidly that leads to the thickening of the synovium. Eventually it proceeds to the third stage where the swollen cells release enzymes that can easily digest the bones as well as the cartilages thus causing severe damage to the bones. The joints tend to lose its original shape and also the alignment, thus leading to more pain and impaired mobility.

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis ? The Fast Facts

Rheumatoid arthritis is commonly known to be an inflammatory form of arthritis, which is chronic in nature and is characterized by swelling, redness and pain in the joints. The diseases have been classified as a typical autoimmune disease, wherein the immune cells tend to attack the healthy tissues of the body. The joints are, however, the worst effected parts in case of rheumatoid arthritis and the condition is very painful. Nonetheless, if rheumatoid arthritis is systemic, it can as well affect the internal organs of the body as well.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Cause:

All You Need To Know About Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, also known as JRA is a condition effecting children and is a type of arthritis. The condition is also known as childhood arthritis, Juvenile idiopathic arthritis or Still?s disease.

Juvenile arthritis, like any other type of arthritis is characterized by the inflammation of joints and it tends to last for about 6 weeks. This condition is commonly seen on children who are less than 16 years of age and is probably one of the common forms of arthritis that affects children. Most of the times, the symptoms of the juvenile rheumatoid arthritis tends to fade over time; it might take a few months or even a year to relieve completely.

However, the condition can as well be very complicated. The classification of this type of arthritis is done on the basis of the joint that has been affected, the symptoms and the results of the tests carried out. Treatment is based on the results derived. The focus of the treatment procedures lie in preserving the physical activities of the child in order to allow proper movements of the joint and preventing further damage. Also, controlling the pain is a major factor.

Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis ? The Similarities and Differences

Lupus and rheumatoid arthritis are two unusual conditions, but are basically autoimmune diseases that tends to attack the own body very similarly. This causes all the confusion and a person having rheumatoid arthritis ends up thinking that he has lupus and vice versa.

Autoimmune diseases are particularly caused by a breakdown of the human immune system. It fails to discriminate between the own tissues and cells of the body and the foreign matters, such as the viruses. Instead of producing antibodies for attacking the antigens, like the bacteria, viruses and other such invaders, the immune system develops auto-antibodies which tends to attack the own tissues as well as the organs of the individual.

Rheumatoid arthritis can cause swelling and stiffness, followed by tremendous pain and lack of functionality of the joints. It is very commonly triggered in our wrist as well as our fingers, but can severely affect our joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is very common in women than in men and it onsets between 25 to 55 years of age. The severity of rheumatoid arthritis is such that it can deeply affect the internal organs and reach places much beyond our joints. It affects are seen on the eyes, lungs, mouth and kidneys as well.

The Osteoarthritis Rheumatoid Arthritis Difference

Osteoarthritis happens to be a common arthritis type and has similar symptoms like rheumatoid arthritis. However, rheumatoid arthritis leads to a more crippling and disabling condition and is more of severe form.

The Difference

Osteoarthritis, which is also known to be a degenerative disease of the joints or the wear-and-tear arthritis, is caused due to the breaking down of the joint cartilages. Cartilage is almost like that of a cushion between our bones that forms the joints. The loss of cartilage can result in the rubbing of one bone with the other in our joints; this indeed is a very painful condition. Osteoarthritis generally initiates in one single joint.

On the other hand, rheumatoid arthritis is more of a chronic condition and is an inflammatory arthritis type. It is an autoimmune disease in which the immune cells tend to attack the own body?s healthy tissues. The synovium, which is the lining of our joints, is mostly affected in rheumatoid arthritis, but all the other internal organs are at equal risk of being affected. Rheumatoid arthritis involves multiple joints and the damage caused can lead to impaired mobility.