Brasil Health Care Blog

Posts Tagged ‘Autoimmune disease’

Rheumatoid arthritis is also classified as an autoimmune disease (immune cells attack the body’s healthy tissues). The joints are primarily affected by rheumatoid arthritis, but may have systemic effects (i.e., researchers have worked for years to find the cause of the abnormal autoimmune response associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has long been associated with work disability. Major studies have concluded that up to 50% of people with RA for 10 years or more have been forced to stop working.

Osteoarthritis is the most recognizable form of arthritis touch 16-20 million people in the United States. Osteoarthritis (OA) begins with the breakdown of cartilage in the joints, resulting in joint pain.

Treatment for joint pain is rest to allow the injury to heal. Warm ice baths and also reduce swelling and provide some relief. The treatment only relieves the pain temporarily. Conventional painkillers have side effects. The treatment of arthritis in the thumb depends on the symptoms and stage of disease. Some arthritic thumbs may be relieved with an aspirin.

Healthy diet is important, so try to eat a balanced diet, take lots of vegetables, fruits, fish high in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins C, E and folic acid. Avoid cigarettes, alcohol, coffee and tea. Read the rest of this entry »

Rheumatoid arthritis is a destructive disease that targets primarily the joints. However, it also affects many other organs and systems, including brain, heart, kidneys, spleen, blood vessels, lungs and muscles.

Rheumatoid arthritis affects about 1 in 100 people. In developed countries, rheumatoid arthritis is the most common autoimmune disease. Although rheumatoid arthritis can begin at any age, is more common after sixty. One in twenty women over the age of 65 has the disease. Economically it is very costly disease. Besides high direct medical costs is much more indirect medical cost. Rheumatoid arthritis causes many complications, requires drastic therapies and orthopedic surgery. Doctors estimate that rheumatoid arthritis does at a time and three patients with permanent disabilities. Half of the patients stop working in the first decade of diagnosis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease. This leads to loss of mobility due to joint destruction and pain. The joints suffer a polyarticular form. This means that many affected joints, at the same time. Usually at the start joint problems are asymmetrical, the symmetrical later. The pain improves when you use the affected joints. There is also morning stiffness of all joints for an hour or more. In osteoarthritis pain worsens in the opposite direction – on the day after use. Read the rest of this entry »