Arthritis is a condition that causes inflammation in the joints of the body. Often times, many of the joints are affected, but in some cases, only a select few are inflamed. There are two common types of the condition; osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis occurs through regular wear and tear of the body, whereas rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder. See our arthritis pain exercises for more information.
Rheumatoid arthritis causes are known to medical professionals, but the reasons why are unknown. Basically, rheumatoid arthritis is caused by the immune system attacking the synovium, which is the membrane lining the joints in the body. This causes inflammation and a thickened synovium, which damages the bones and cartilage in that joint. Because of this process, the ligaments and tendons in the joint become weak and begin to stretch. Eventually, the shape and alignment of the joint is lost.
Unfortunately, medical professionals do not understand what starts these arthritis causes. Rheumatoid arthritis has been linked to genetics, but the genes don’t actually cause the condition. Genes simply make a person more susceptible to infection or bacteria, which could be the main rheumatoid arthritis causes in an individual.
Arthritis symptoms may be severe or mild. Knowing what to look for will help you to know which rheumatoid arthritis treatment options to seek out. The following are some common arthritis symptoms:
Something to keep in mind about rheumatoid arthritis symptoms is that they typically occur in the smaller joints of the body first, then as the condition gets worse, the symptoms will manifest in the larger joints of the body. In most patients, the symptoms will occur in both of the same joints, on either side of the body.
There is no rheumatoid arthritis treatment that will completely cure the condition. There are, however, rheumatoid arthritis treatment options that will relieve the pain and reduce inflammation, which ultimately prevents or slows the process of joint damage.
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In most cases of arthritis, the best treatment is finding a good therapist who can teach you to do things differently so you aren’t putting too much pressure on your joints. In some situations, the condition may even require surgery in order to help relieve as much pain as possible.