Definition of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a long-term illness that leads to inflammation in the joints and surrounding tissues. It can also affect other organs.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms
This disease usually begins gradually with:
* Fatigue
* Loss of appetite
* Morning stiffness (lasting more than 1 hour)
* The spread of muscle pain
* Weakness
Eventually, joint pain appears. When joints are not used for a while, may be warm, tender, and stiff. When lining the joints become inflamed, gives off more fluid and joints become swollen. Joint pain is often felt on both sides of the body, and can affect the fingers, wrists, elbows, shoulders, hips, knees, ankles, toes, and neck.
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Rheumatoid Arthritis Causes & Risk Factors
Rheumatoid Arthritis Cause unknown. It is considered an autoimmune disease. Immune system normally fights off foreign objects, such as viruses. But in an autoimmune disease, immune system confuses healthy network to a foreign substance. As a result, the body attacks itself.
Rheumatoid Arthritis can occur at all ages. Women are more often affected than men.
Rheumatoid arthritis usually affects joints on both sides of the same body. Wrists, fingers, knees, feet, and ankles are most often affected. The course and severity of disease can vary widely. Infection, genes, and hormones can cause disease.
It is estimated that 692,000 Australians are diagnosed with osteoporosis and a new clinical guideline published by the Royal College of General Practitioners in Australia will help in the diagnosis, treatment and ongoing management of osteoporosis in the elderly, Minister Justine Elliot said aging. The new guideline has been published to mark the National Week of musculoskeletal disorders.
Clinical guidelines developed by the Royal College of General Practitioners in Australia (RACGP) with support from the Rudd Government and approved by the National Health and Medical Research Council, provides a comprehensive review of the management of osteoporosis on the basis of the best data.
Minister Elliot said: “The guide is designed to help physicians and other primary care professionals in the management and diagnosis of patients with osteoporosis.