Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis affecting young women in the United States today. The main symptom of rheumatoid arthritis is intense pain and swelling throughout many in the joint in the body. Many patients also suffer with flu-like symptoms such as weakness, muscle aches and low-grade fevers. Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by the body's immune system which normally protects it from infections attacking in planes Women between the ages of thirty to fifty with a family history of rheumatoid arthritis are most at risk for the disease. Rheumatoid arthritis is mainly diagnosed on the basis of the history and physical examination by your doctor. The diagnosis can be confirmed with x-rays and blood tests. The main treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis include medications to reduce swelling and prevent further damage to the joint and physical therapy to correct and strengthen any joint already infected. The most important piece of advice I can give someone with rheumatoid arthritis is to seek early an aggressive treatment. Of all the different types of arthritis rheumatoid arthritis has the potential to be the most destructive and crippling if treatment is delayed. Everyone with rheumatoid arthritis should be under the care of a rheumatologist that has been certified by the American College of Rheumatology. Your primary care doctor can assist in making the initial diagnosis and guide you towards a Rheumatologist in your area.