Rheumatoid Arthritis

            Rheumatoid arthritis ,(RA), is a type of arthritis with no known cause or cure.
             is the inflammation of the membrane lining the joints and tendons. The definition of.
             Rheumatoid arthritis, as given by the Yahoo Health Centre, a chronic inflammatory.
             disease that primarily affects the joints and surrounding tissues, but can also affect.
             other organ systems. Arthritis is so common that most older adults consider it.
             inevitable. The results of rheumatoid arthritis are pain, swelling, stiffness and bone.
             dislocation. It is also been called the "great Crippler", (Hollander, pg.409). There is no.
             cure for arthritis and most people that suffer from it will have their good days and.
             their bad days. Rheumatoid arthritis is not linked with age, but most elderly people do.
             eventually get affected by this disease. There are many risk factors for arthritis, such.
             as: obesity, gender, smoking and stress on joints. Women are two times more likely.
             to receive arthritis as men. There is no cure for arthritis, but there are many.
             treatments available. .
             First, to relieve the suffering of rheumatoid arthritis patients, there are many.
             options. There are drug- free methods, such as heat or cold packs, proper.
             positioning and the use of splints.( Hollander, pg.410). There are also treatments in.
             the therapeutic field, including, acupuncture or transcutaneous electrical nerve.
             stimulation (TENS). (Hollander, pg.410). Also, patients can receive narcotics and.
             relaxants, if their case is severe enough. The most common drug to treat joint.
             inflammation is the trusted, easily accessible, aspirin. Rest is necessary, but too.
             much of it can lead to weakness, muscle atrophy and restricted motion of joints.
             Patients are encouraged to change their body position frequently, preferably every.
             two hours. Also, initiating aggressive therapy with disease- modifying anti- rheumatic.
             drugs (DMARDs), when the diagnosis is actually confirmed. (Hollander, pg.410).
             Deformities can be prevented by physical therapy and exercises and aided by.