Information From Your Health Care Provider

ARTHRITIS, RHEUMATOID

Basic information

description

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory disease that mainly affects the joints. It often begins between ages 25 and 50, and is more common in women.

FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

Joint pain, redness, warmth, and tenderness. It usually affects the same joints on both sides of the body—fingers, hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, feet, and ankles.
Morning stiffness.
Muscle aches, weakness, fever, and weight loss.
Feeling generally unwell.
Nodules (bumps) under the skin (sometimes).

causes

Unknown. It is probably caused by an autoimmune disorder in which the body's immune system attacks its own normal tissues. Infection may also be a factor.

risk increases with

Family history of rheumatoid arthritis or other autoimmune disorders.
Genetic factors.
Women.
Native Americans (occurs more often in this group).

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

No specific preventive measures.

expected outcomes

The outcome varies. The disease course may be short and limited or progressive and severe. It is presently incurable. Pain relief, prevention of disability, and an active, normal life span are often possible.

possible complications

About 5% to 10% of patients are eventually disabled.
Drugs used in treatment can cause side effects.
Heart, lung, blood vessel, or eye problems.
Anemia.

diagnosis & treatment

general measures

Your health care provider will do a physical exam and ask questions about the symptoms. No one test is available to diagnose arthritis. Medical tests may include blood and joint fluid studies. CT, MRI, and x-rays of the involved joints.
Treatment involves steps to relieve symptoms, to preserve joint function, to prevent complications, and to help the person live as normal a life as possible.
Treatment steps include drug therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, surgery, and lifestyle changes. A treatment plan is based on your special needs.
Be sure to educate your-self about the disorder. Avoid arthritis treatment fads.
Occupational therapy helps with activities of daily life.
Help the morning stiffness with a warm bath or shower, doing range-of-motion exercises, or a heating pad or cold pack (if it feels better).
Options for treatment (to help symptoms such as pain) include relaxation techniques, counseling, meditation, stress reduction, biofeedback, and support groups. Flare-ups may be triggered by emotional stress.
Surgery may be recommended for one or more joints. It may involve joint replacement, tendon reconstruction, joint realignment, or removing inflamed tissue.
To learn more: Arthritis Foundation, P.O. Box 7669, Atlanta, GA 30357; (800) 283-7800; website: www.arthritis.org.

medications

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as naproxen or ibuprofen, or others will be prescribed.
Drugs for pain, such as acetaminophen may be used.
Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), biologic response modifiers, or steroids are classes of drugs that are often prescribed.

activity

Physical therapy will help maintain strength and joint mobility. Follow instructions for home exercising.
Exercising in a heated pool is good for stiff joints.
Activity options include low impact aerobics, flexibility exercises, yoga, tai chi, or hydrotherapy.
Mobility aids and splints may be recommended.

diet

Eat a normal, well-balanced diet. Avoid arthritis diet fads, which are common. Lose weight if you are overweight. Being overweight stresses the joints.

notify our office if

You or a family member has symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
The following occur during treatment:
- Symptoms appear in different joints or other symptoms get worse.
- New, unexplained symptoms develop. Drugs used for treatment may produce side effects.