Characterized by painful swelling of the joints, rheumatoid arthritis is a type of autoimmune disease. This eMedTV resource explores rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, treatment options, and prognosis -- as well as how often the disease occurs.
This eMedTV article explains that while scientists don't know the exact cause or causes of rheumatoid arthritis, they believe that its main causes may be linked to a combination of several factors (including genetics and hormones).
Often, rheumatoid arthritis symptoms will affect the wrist joints and the finger joints closest to the hand. This eMedTV article lists other potential symptoms of this condition, including fatigue, fevers, and a symmetrical pattern of swollen joints.
This eMedTV page lists some of the tools that healthcare providers use to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis, such as a medical history, laboratory tests, and x-rays. This article also looks at why the disease is difficult to diagnose in its early stages.
Medications, surgery, and lifestyle changes are among the treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis. This eMedTV resource explains how these treatments focus on relieving pain, reducing swelling, and slowing or stopping joint damage.
This eMedTV Web page covers the four classes of drugs that can be used as rheumatoid arthritis medications (including NSAIDs and DMARDs). This article explains how they work to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and slow the course of the disease.
This eMedTV page explains the importance of exercise in coping with rheumatoid arthritis. This article discusses how often people with this condition should exercise, which exercises are best, and how to start an exercise program.
People with rheumatoid arthritis should eat plenty of heart-healthy foods (like fruits and vegetables). This eMedTV page explains, however, that there's no special "rheumatoid arthritis diet" to help slow the progression of, or even cure, the disease.
Acupuncture, supplements, and homeopathy are some of the alternative therapies for rheumatoid arthritis. This eMedTV takes an in-depth look at the safety and effectiveness of these and other alternative treatment options.
Some people may wonder if coffee and tea are risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis. This eMedTV Web page explains that there is little evidence of a connection between women consuming these beverages and developing rheumatoid arthritis.
As this eMedTV Web page explains, rheumatoid arthritis can result in effects such as severe bone and joint damage in some people. This article discusses the topic in detail and explains why it's difficult to predict how the disease will affect someone.
This eMedTV article explores some areas of current rheumatoid arthritis research (including triggers of the disease, genes, and immune systems) and explains how future advances in research will improve the quality of life for people with the disease.
According to recent rheumatoid arthritis statistics, the number of new cases may actually be declining. This eMedTV page explains that the disease is most common among people ages 35 to 50, and occurs two or three times as often in women than in men.
This selection from the eMedTV archives talks about rheumatoid arthritis pain, explaining the different types and why they occur. This article also discusses how the pain from this condition is measured and treated.
This page on the eMedTV Web site explains the link between osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This article also talks about how nutrition, exercise, medications, and other strategies can help prevent and treat osteoporosis in those with RA.
