Rheumatoid Arthritis Research Paper
Nicole Sengdetka
Professor Tsoukalis
BIO 105-E2
1 December 2010
Rheumatoid Arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of arthritis that has no known cure or exact cause. It is a chronic inflammatory disorder that affects the joints and surrounding tissues as well as affecting other organs in the body. Rheumatoid arthritis often called RA is also classified as an "autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakes the bodies own substances and cells for foreign invaders and releases friendly fire on them" (Zelladt). "The initial trigger for this reaction is unknown, but the streptococcus bacterium and viruses have been suspect" (Marieb 239). One of the major distinctive features of rheumatoid arthritis is that it causes erosive …show more content…
After a thorough medical exam and patient medical history, usually the rheumatologist orders lab tests to be done. These laboratory tests are often the first tests done to determine if a patient has RA. The lab work tests for the rheumatoid factor, erythrocyte sedimentation rate c-reactive protein and anti-CCP tests. Lab tests sometimes show that the rheumatic factor is negative, but 20% of the time the patient does in fact have RA. The rheumatic factor determines the presence of abnormal antibodies seen in the connective tissue disease. X-rays and MRIs are also used to help diagnose rheumatoid arthritis as well as to check on the effectiveness of …show more content…
Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs known as DMARDs, are most commonly used for treatment. They have been known to produce symptomatic remissions as well as delay the progress of the disease. They are used when there is no decrease in pain, swelling, and stiffness or if the X-rays show evidence of bony erosions within the first 30-60 days of onset. Cortisone therapy has also been used to supply relief. Many other treatments of RA include, rest, hot and cold therapy, anti-inflammatory agents, analgesics, biological agents , NSAIDs, surgery and many other therapies. The many goals of RA treatment are to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, slow down or stop joint damage and to improve the patients ability to function. Although RA can have significant effects on a person 's life, many of the treatment strategies used today, allow most patients to lead active lives. Many researchers feel that in time as they are getting a better understanding of RA, they will find better ways to treat the
Professor Tsoukalis
BIO 105-E2
1 December 2010
Rheumatoid Arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of arthritis that has no known cure or exact cause. It is a chronic inflammatory disorder that affects the joints and surrounding tissues as well as affecting other organs in the body. Rheumatoid arthritis often called RA is also classified as an "autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakes the bodies own substances and cells for foreign invaders and releases friendly fire on them" (Zelladt). "The initial trigger for this reaction is unknown, but the streptococcus bacterium and viruses have been suspect" (Marieb 239). One of the major distinctive features of rheumatoid arthritis is that it causes erosive …show more content…
After a thorough medical exam and patient medical history, usually the rheumatologist orders lab tests to be done. These laboratory tests are often the first tests done to determine if a patient has RA. The lab work tests for the rheumatoid factor, erythrocyte sedimentation rate c-reactive protein and anti-CCP tests. Lab tests sometimes show that the rheumatic factor is negative, but 20% of the time the patient does in fact have RA. The rheumatic factor determines the presence of abnormal antibodies seen in the connective tissue disease. X-rays and MRIs are also used to help diagnose rheumatoid arthritis as well as to check on the effectiveness of …show more content…
Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs known as DMARDs, are most commonly used for treatment. They have been known to produce symptomatic remissions as well as delay the progress of the disease. They are used when there is no decrease in pain, swelling, and stiffness or if the X-rays show evidence of bony erosions within the first 30-60 days of onset. Cortisone therapy has also been used to supply relief. Many other treatments of RA include, rest, hot and cold therapy, anti-inflammatory agents, analgesics, biological agents , NSAIDs, surgery and many other therapies. The many goals of RA treatment are to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, slow down or stop joint damage and to improve the patients ability to function. Although RA can have significant effects on a person 's life, many of the treatment strategies used today, allow most patients to lead active lives. Many researchers feel that in time as they are getting a better understanding of RA, they will find better ways to treat the