Classic Rheumatoid Arthritis (continuation)
The disease typically affects the joints of the hands and feet, often on both sides, but it may also
be situated in the elbows, shoulders or hips. Damage may extend into related ligaments and tendons,
causing nearby muscles to go into painful spasms as they begin to waste away through disuse. If the
disease progresses untreated and the tissue damage is unchecked, the affected joints may become misshapen
and lose function.
Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis
In its early stages, the affected joints become swollen and red, increasingly painful and abnormally
warm. In some cases, the joint symptoms are accompanied by general malaise, fever and loss of appetite.
Joint stiffness is more likely to develop when the body is at rest, diminishing very gradually as
muscles are reactivated. A doctor is usually consulted when pain interferes with sleep, or when stiffness
and swelling prevent normal function or when self-treatment with aspirin proves ineffective.
Diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis
In most instances, the patient's history over the recent past, a thorough physical examination and
information provided by X-ray and laboratory tests form the basis for a firm identification of the
disorder. In some cases, it is difficult to arrive at a diagnosis, particularly those in which symptoms
come and go unpredictably, with the disease going into remission for years at a time.
Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Although there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, most cases can be managed through treatment aimed
at relieving symptoms and preserving joint function. Indeed, prompt treatment is critical in halting
the irreversible tissue damage that may result from neglect. Because therapy may combine different
regimens and particular kinds of drugs, professional supervision and the cooperation of the patient
are essential elements in controlling the disease.
A number of treatments are available, and the regimen for a particular patient must be tailored to his
or her individual needs. An anti-inflammatory drug, which may be large doses of aspirin or one of the
newer non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, is usually prescribed to ease pain and control the inflammation.
In cases where the joints have been severely damaged, other drugs, such as gold salts, may be prescribed
to stop the destruction of the cartilage and synovial membrane caused by advanced inflammatory disease.
Injections of steroids directly into the joints also may be recommended for short-term treatment of the
inflammation In some patients, combinations of therapies may be needed; but in any instance, close
supervision of treatment by a doctor is usually required to minimize effects of the disease.
