Accessed On 6th July 2016 Http: //wwweularorg/myuploaddata/files/ra%20class%20slides%20acr: Webpdf
Ill make the point that the information I present here is obviously not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
But Im hoping to help lead people who may have the disease to an earlier diagnosis and suitable treatment.
By the way, Ive written many more posts on Rheumatoid Arthritis. Please have a read at this link.
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Both cause stiff, painful joints. Both are types of arthritis. Other than that,rheumatoid arthritis andosteoarthritis share little in common.
Their differences begin with what causes them. Osteoarthritis is more commonly occurs later in life, after years of mechanical wear and tear on the cartilage which lines and cushions your joints. Rheumatoid arthritis, which can occur at most any age, is anautoimmune disease. That is, your bodys immune system attacks your joints.
Dr. Michael Raab explains the differences of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Click play to watch the video or read video transcript.
What is arthritis?
Also Check: Arthritis At 30 Symptoms
What Are The Different Types Of Arthritis
Arthritis is a broad term that describes more than 100 different joint conditions. The most common types of arthritis include:
- Osteoarthritis, or wear and tear arthritis, which develops when joint cartilage breaks down from repeated stress. Its the most common form of arthritis.
- Ankylosing spondylitis, or arthritis of the spine .
- Juvenile arthritis , a disorder where the immune system attacks the tissue around joints. JA typically affects children 16 or younger.
- Gout, a disease that causes hard crystals of uric acid to form in your joints.
- Psoriatic arthritis, joint inflammation that develops in people with psoriasis .
- Rheumatoid arthritis, a disease that causes the immune system to attack synovial membranes in your joints.
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Symptoms By Body Part
The most commonly affected areas during the onset of RA are the small joints in your hands and feet. This is where you may first feel stiffness and an ache.
Its also possible for RA inflammation to affect your knees and hips. Because the disease presents differently in different people, it can go on to affect almost any joint.
Your organs are another area that can be disrupted by RA inflammation:
- Your heart muscle can become damaged.
- Your lungs can become scarred.
- Blood vessel damage can lead to subsequent skin and nerve issues.
Should I See A Doctor
Its common to have aches and pains in your muscles and joints from time to time. This may especially be true if you take part in unusual or strenuous physical activities.
So, how can you tell the difference between the early signs of arthritis and normal pain and stiffness? And, how do you know when you should see a doctor about your symptoms?
If you have swelling or stiffness that you cant explain and that doesn’t go away in a few days, or if it becomes painful to touch your joints, you should see a doctor. The earlier you get a diagnosis and start the right type of treatment, the better the outcome will be.
Here are some other things to think about that might help you decide whether you need to see a doctor:
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What Are Food Allergies
Food allergies are when the immune system mistakes a protein in food as harmful. To fight the perceived threat, it releases antibodies called immunoglobulin E . The next time you eat the food, these antibodies trigger the release of histamine, a powerful chemical that causes allergy symptoms. These can range from belly pain, hives, or tingling in your mouth to a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis. Symptoms usually appear right after eating.
Food allergies are much more common in infants and children than adults. About 1 percent of adults have food allergies compared to 7 percent of kids, though the number of kids with allergies is on the rise. And while food allergies usually start early in life, you can form one when youâre older.
These nine foods cause most food allergies:
How Different Types Of Arthritis Affect Your Joints Differently
Do you believe your joint pain is caused by arthritis? With over 100 different types of arthritis identified, knowing the type you have could be the key to relieving your pain and inflammation. A qualified specialist can correctly diagnose your arthritis type and properly manage your symptoms with a targeted regimen.
At Western Orthopaedics in Arvada and Denver, Colorado, our team of orthopaedic specialists has many years of combined experience diagnosing and treating the various forms of arthritis. They can properly classify your arthritis type and treat your joint pain and any other symptoms.
Read Also: What To Take For Arthritis Pain In Knee
Joint Pain And Stiffness
most common symptom of RA. The persons joints may become red, warm, swollen, and tender to touch.
Joint stiffness is often at its worst in the morning. It can last for several hours or the entire day, depending on the severity of the disease.
RA tends to cause pain and stiffness in the hands and feet first. However, a person may experience these symptoms in the knees or shoulders.
RA will often affect both sides of a persons body. In fact, finding symmetrical symptoms across the joints is key to how doctors diagnose RA.
Berries Apples And Pomegranates
Berries are rich in antioxidants and the Arthritis Foundation notes that blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, cranberries, raspberries and boysenberries all provide arthritis-fighting power. Youll get health benefits no matter if you eat them frozen, fresh or dehydrated , so be sure to eat a variety of berries throughout the week.
Apples are also high in antioxidants and a good source of fiber. Plus, they provide crunch and can help curb your appetite for unhealthy snacks, Dunn says.
Pomegranates, which are classified as berry fruits, are rich in tannins which can fight the inflammation of arthritis. Add these to a salad or stir into plain yogurt for some added benefits.
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Common Types Of Arthritis
Commonly associated with older age, arthritis affects more than 50 million Americans, including more than 300,000 children each year. There are over 100 different forms of arthritis. Depending on the type, it can be extremely painful and affect everyday activities or go relatively unnoticed and be easily managed for years.
Simply put, arthritis is the inflammation of one or more joints. Most individuals experience common symptoms like joint pain, swelling, stiffness and/or decreased range of motion.
Here are 5 of the most common types of arthritis:
Its Not Surprising That You Can Feel Arthritis In Your Feet: The Disease Predominantly Affects Your Joints And Your Foot Contains More Than 30 Of Them
If you live with arthritis, chances are you feel the painful effects in your feet. Feet are tremendously affected by arthritis, says Vinicius Domingues, MD, a rheumatologist in Daytona Beach, Florida, and medical advisor for CreakyJoints.
Indeed, osteoarthritis , the most common type of arthritis, affects the feet of one in six people over the age of 50. With rheumatoid arthritis , the most common type of inflammatory autoimmune arthritis, more than 90 percent of patients develop symptoms in the foot and ankle over the course of the disease. In about 20 percent of RA cases, foot and ankle symptoms are even among the first signs of the disease.
Its not surprising that you can feel arthritis in your feet: The disease predominantly affects your joints, and your foot contains more than 30 joints.
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What Are The Parts Of A Joint
Joints get cushioned and supported by soft tissues that prevent your bones from rubbing against each other. A connective tissue called articular cartilage plays a key role. It helps your joints move smoothly without friction or pain.
Some joints have a synovial membrane, a padded pocket of fluid that lubricates the joints. Many joints, such as your knees, get supported by tendons and ligaments. Tendons connect muscles to your bones, while ligaments connect bones to other bones.
Other Conditions And Joint Pain
Other forms of arthritis, and other conditions, can also cause joint pain. Examples include:
- fibromyalgia syndrome, a condition in which your brain processes pain in your muscles and joints in a way that amplifies your perception of the pain
- scleroderma, an autoimmune condition in which inflammation and hardening in your skin connective tissues can lead to organ damage and joint pain
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Differences Between Ra And Gout
Both diseases cause redness, swelling, and pain in the joints. Both can cause serious disability and disrupt your quality of life.
However, a close look at initial signs and which joints are involved will clearly differentiate these two diseases. The best way to know whether you have RA or gout is to make an appointment with your doctor for a diagnosis.
Specific signs that distinguish the diseases:
What Are Common Arthritis Treatments
There are many things that help reduce pain, relieve stiffness and keep you moving. Your care may involve more than one kind of treatment. Your doctor may recommend medications but there are many things you can do on your own to help manage pain and fatigue and move easier.
Finding the right treatment takes time. It can involve trial and error until you and your healthcare team or therapist find what works best. Be sure to let your doctor know if a treatment is not working. Your treatment may also change as your arthritis changes.
Treatments for arthritis can be divided into several categories: medication, exercise, heat/cold, pacing, joint protection, surgery and self-help skills. You can do things in each of these areas to help yourself feel better and move easier.
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Home Remedies For Arthritis
In addition to treatments recommended by your doctor, you can use dry heat from a heating pad or moist heat in the form of a hot bath or a hot-water bottle wrapped in a towel to help relieve pain and stiffness. Heat and rest are very effective in the short run for most people with the disease. Regular exercise is also important to keep the joints mobile.
If you are overweight, losing weight is key, especially when arthritis affects the lower back, knees, and legs. Extra pounds add to the load and pressure on your joints, which can cause your arthritis to get worse faster. Being overweight also raises your chances of related health problems. Consult a registered dietitian who can help you plan a healthy weight loss program.
People with weakened, badly deformed fingers from rheumatoid arthritis benefit from specially designed utensils and door and drawer handles people with weakness in the legs and arms can use special bathroom fixtures, especially tub rails and elevated toilet seats.
Although arthritis may not be preventable, disability is with a well-designed treatment program, including medications, exercise, and physical therapy when needed.
Here are some more things you can do to help keep the condition in check:
Educate yourself. Take a self-management course to learn specifics on day-to-day arthritis care.
Get active. Exercise can help you move better, lessen pain, and put off disability.
How Do I Know If I Have Food Allergies Or Sensitivities
Itâs hard to miss a food allergy. Symptoms are sudden and often severe. Sensitivities are harder to track and may involve some trial and error. Your doctor may ask you to keep a food diary, where you note what you eat and when you have symptoms. This can help you spot the foods you might need to avoid. Itâs also the first step in another approach called an elimination diet.
With this diet, you stop eating all sensitive foods for at least 2 weeks. If your symptoms donât improve, you follow the diet for another 2 weeks. Once you go 5 days without symptoms, you start to add problem foods back into your diet, one at a time. If your symptoms flare, you limit or cut out the food completely. You may be sensitive to more than one food. An elimination diet can show you which ones. Then you can work with your doctor to make a long-term eating plan you enjoy and can stick to.
The elimination diet isnât perfect and doesnât work for everyone. Still, itâs a good way to zero in on foods that affect you. Thirty to 40% of people with RA feel much better when they cut sensitive foods from their diet. Some have even been able to stop their medications.
Show Sources
Clinical Rheumatology: âDiet and disease symptoms in rheumatic diseases â Results of a questionnaire-based survey.â
Frontiers in Nutrition: âNutrition Interventions in Rheumatoid Arthritis: The Potential Use of Plant-Based Diets. A Review.â
Mayo Clinic: âFood Allergy,â âAlcohol Intolerance.â
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Is Using Sex Toys In A Relationship Healthy
Yes, without a doubt. Using sex toys in a relationship is healthy.
And its pretty common. Around 42% of couples use sex toys together.
A 2010 sex study reported that couples who use sex toys with their partners show higher rates of sexual satisfaction and healthier rates of open communication when compared to couples who dont use vibrators together.
More orgasms, more intimacy, better communication Im sold.
Read more: 5 Reasons To Start Using Sex Toys In Your Relationship
How Can You Tell What Type Of Arthritis You Have
youtype of arthritis
Blood, Fluid and Tissue TestsYour doctor may also draw joint fluid or do a skin or muscle biopsy to help diagnose certain forms of arthritis. Making an arthritis diagnosis may take some time. It may involve a primary care doctor, a rheumatologist, a pain specialist and an orthopaedist.
Also, what are the 3 types of arthritis? The Three Most Common Types of Arthritis
- Osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis the most common form of arthritis.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, which means that the immune system attacks parts of the bodyespecially the joints.
- Psoriatic Arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis affects the skin and joints.
Herein, what is the most painful type of arthritis?
Gout: The Most Painful Type of Arthritis. Gout is one of the most painful forms of arthritis. This condition is caused by elevated levels of uric acid, a bodily waste product, in the bloodstream.
What type of arthritis shows up in blood tests?
People with rheumatoid arthritis often have an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate or C-reactive protein , which may indicate the presence of an inflammatory process in the body. Other common blood tests look for rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies.
Also Check: How To Help Arthritis In Big Toe
Evening Primrose Oil Supplements
Some plant oils may reduce pain and stiffness associated with RA. Evening primrose oil contains an essential fatty acid called gamma-linolenic acid that may provide some relief.
A 2016 study found that taking evening primrose oil and fish oil may reduce inflammation and disease activity.
According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health , however, more research is needed on the effectiveness of primrose oil.
Again, check with your doctor before taking evening primrose oil, as it may interact with some medications. Potential side effects include headache and an upset stomach.
Thunder god vine grows in China and Taiwan and is used in traditional Chinese medicine. Research has indicated that it may be effective for treating RA symptoms.
According to a 2015 study , thunder god vine was comparable to the standard RA drug methotrexate in relieving symptoms. The study found that taking both was even more effective.
A 2018 research review also suggested that thunder god vine supplements may help reduce inflammation. Still, more research is needed on long-term effects and safety.
Talk to your doctor and assess the benefits before trying thunder god vine, as it may have some serious side effects. These can include reduced bone mineral content, infertility, rashes, and hair loss.
Thunder god vine can also be poisonous if it isnt prepared correctly.
Find A Community That Understands
Theres no reason to go through a psoriatic arthritis diagnosis or long-term journey alone. With the free PsA Healthline community, you can join a group and participate in live discussions, get matched with community members for a chance to make new friends, and stay up to date on the latest Psa news and research.
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Foot And Ankle Arthritis
How it happens: The foot hitting any surface puts a high degree of contact stress on arthritic jointsevery step hurts. The pain can be quite excruciating if a joint is damaged, says Irvin Oh, MD, chief of Yale Medicine Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Surgery. Range of motion becomes limited, and bone spurs can develop. Pain is common in the big toe, on the top of the foot, and in the ankle.
Self-care: Keep your weight under control, as being overweight or having obesity puts stress on the foot and ankle. Modify your activity if overuse seems to be exacerbating the pain, and try ice packs. Ankle-strengthening exercises and Achilles-stretching exercises can also help reduce pain. Talk to your doctor about using NSAIDs.
How a specialist can help: We always have to think of evenly distributing mechanical load, says Dr. Oh. He compares the foot and ankle to a tripod and says it must be well-balanced to be optimized for even the most basic functions, like taking a step. Some people with foot arthritis will compensate to avoid feeling pain and that can throw off the balance, he adds. Supportive shoes, an ankle brace, and orthotics may help.
Replacing or fusing arthritic joints may also be recommended. There are innovative joint replacement options for such surgical treatments as toe implants and total ankle replacements for people whose joints are severely damaged or who have no cartilage left, he says. We always try to preserve native joints as much as possible.