Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a long term disease that in all cases that the joints are affected. Every one with rheumatoid arthritis is affected differently. The symptoms can come and go and sometimes there can be long periods of remission, where they have few or no symptoms. Once rheumatoid arthritis acts up the joints become inflamed. Due to inflammation there is stiffness, swelling, pain and redness and warmth of the joints. With stiffness the joints are harder to use, the morning it could take more than an hour till the joints feel loose. The joints swell when fluid enters it. A joint that is inflamed can make it sensitive and tender. Rheumatoid arthritis affects the hands, knees, wrists, neck, shoulders, and elbows. Rheumatoid arthritis can be diagnosed using a combination of factors including the location and symmetry of painful joints, presences of rheumatoid nodes, results of x ray tests and blood work, and the presence of joint stiffness in the morning. There are different ways to treat rheumatoid arthritis. It includes medications, surgery to correct damage to the joint and rest and exercise. There is not a cure for rheumatoid arthritis there is only ways to control the pain.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a long term disease that causes body wide pain and tenderness in the muscles, joints, tendons and other soft tissue. There isn't a specific known cause for fibromyalgia but there are possible triggers or causes of fibromyalgia. Possible causes include physical or emotional trauma, abnormal pain response, sleep disturbances, or infections. Symptoms of fibromyalgia include tender points found in the soft tissue on the back of the shoulders, back of the neck, hips, lower back, chest, elbows, knees, and shins which can be a deep ache or burning, shooting pain. Although it feels like the pain is coming for the joint areas the joints are not affected by fibromyalgia. Urine and blood tests are often used to diagnose fibromyalgia but there are other tests also done to eliminate other diseases with the same symptoms. The goal of treatment for fibromyalgia is to reduce and relieve the pain. To help relieve pain you can go to physical therapy and your doctor can prescribe you with medications to help control some of the pain. There is no known prevention to fibromyalgia. You have to adapt and learn to cope with the pain and find a way to be able to tolerate the pain.

Osteopenia

Osteopenia is a bone condition. It is characterized by a decrease in bone density, which causes the bone to be easier to break. There are many causes of Osteopenia. Common causes of Osteopenia include hormonal causes, genetics, excess alcohol, smoking, certain medications and chronic inflammation due to medical conditions. Unless the bone is broken, Osteopenia does not cause pain. Osteopenia can go undiagnosed for years. Osteopenia is diagnosed using measures of bone mineral density. People with Osteopenia should modify their lifestyle and make sure that they have an adequate dietary intake of calcium and vitamin D. Your doctor determines if you need treatment for Osteopenia. When you have Osteopenia you should exercise more, quit smoking, and not drink excessively along with getting a good intake of calcium and vitamin D. Living a healthy life is the best way to prevent Osteopenia.

Pertussis

Pertussis is also known as whooping cough; it is a highly contagious bacterial disease. It causes an uncontrollably violent cough. Pertussis