I recently lost my mother at to Pulmonary Fibrosis, a secondary condition, or complication caused by her Rheumatoid Arthritis. She was in her late 30's when she first contracted RA and I watched her over the years as she tried various treatments and became progressively more disabled, though she had several periods of remission and led a fairly active life into her late 70's. She lived with RA until she passed away at the age of 83 years. I'm convinced that her knitting, needlepoint, and craft projects helped her hands from stiffening to the point where she would not be able to use them. She traveled all over the world with my father and her cane and a walker helped her remain on her feet until the last few weeks of her life. She was determined that RA would not get the best of her. She had true grit.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic auto-immune disease that affects joints throughout the body, causing pain, stiffness, and swelling. Auto-immune means that the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the tissues it is supposed to protect. With RA, damage to joints is common and can be debilitating. RA affects many aspects in a person's life and carrying out normal activities of daily living, such as standing, walking, dressing, washing, preparing food, and carrying out household chores becomes difficult or impossible depending on the severity of the disease. Symptoms often begin gradually and people may think they have the flu because of joint and muscle pain.

RA differs from Osteoarthritis, which is a degenerative disease of the cartilage and ordinarily associated with age. Doctors who specialize in treating RA are called Rheumatologists and are well versed in the most effective treatments available. RA is a complex disease and every individual has symptoms and problems that are unique to them. No two individuals are the same, so a specialist is the way to go for the best possible care.

RA is a systemic disease that can affect other organs and systems throughout the body including the heart, lungs, eyes and nervous system. It can cause damage to muscles, tendons, and bones anywhere in the body and cause deformities. Enlarged knuckles, bumps under the skin, bruising of the skin due to damaged muscle, and atrophy of muscles are common symptoms of this progressive disease. Fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite and weight loss are also common symptoms. Medications used to treat RA have a host of possible side effects that can be most unpleasant, such as gastrointestinal problems like ulcers and gastritis, and kidney damage.

What causes Rheumatoid Arthritis? No one knows for sure, but genetics, hormones and possibly infection by a bacterium or virus are possibilities. Women are 2-3 times more likely than men to have RA and it is estimated that there are 1.5 million women with the disease. It affects people of all ages, races, and social and ethnic groups, but is most likely to strike between 35-50 years of age. While there is no cure, various treatments are available that help to reduce inflammation and prevent joint damage and relieve the pain associated with the disease. Physical and occupational therapy, anti-inflammatory and pain medications, heat treatments and hydrotherapy are often beneficial in helping the patient manage their symptoms and have better range of motion.

While it is a progressive disease, RA can go into periods of remission and with early diagnosis and treatment, joint damage and disability can be slowed or delayed. If you suspect you may have RA, please see your doctor for proper diagnosis. If you do have RA, the earlier you start treatment, the better.

Set exclusively designed by GK Ann for The Garden of Friendship
All ideas, concepts, and content including text, content and graphics 
are owned by The Garden of Friendship and its members unless otherwise noted
and should not be taken or duplicated without express written consent
Copyright © 2000 and Beyond. 
This is not linkware