All of the MUST know information surrounding Rheumatoid Arthritis

1. What is Rheumatoid Arthritis
What you need to know about living with this
autoimmune disease.

2. What Exactly is RA?
Disease of the immune system
RA causes the immune system to attack healthy cells
that make up a thin membrane called synovium that
lines the joints.
This attack causes fluid to build up in joints resulting
in severe pain and inflammation.
Over time, this attack wears away surrounding
cartilage and erodes bone causing lack of function
and immobility.

3. Diagnosing RA Can Be Tricky
No single lab test can determine if an individual has RA.
Instead your doctor uses a variety of methods to
determine if you do in fact have RA.
It is common for your doctor to do the following:
Check medical history
Health Assessment Questionnaire
Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale
Physical Exam
Blood Test

4. What Causes RA
The cause is still generally unknown to doctors today.
However, most physicians do agree that a
combination of genetic and environmental factors are
responsible.
Recent research has identified genetic markers that
cause a ten fold greater probability of developing RA.
These genes are associated with the immune system
Still not all of those that have these genes develop RA.

5. How Can RA Effect You
Symptoms vary
Almost everyone with RA notices a shift in symptoms day
to day.
Any joint may be involved but most people first experience
inflammation in the knuckles, feet and wrists.
Later, the elbows, shoulders, hips, and knees become
involved.
For many, RA starts out as minor flare ups but slowly tends
to worse over time.

6. How Can RA Effect You (Cont.)
RA also has other symptoms worth noting
Some examples are:
Loss of appetite
Loss of weight
Low-grade fever
Stress
Frustration
Helplessness
Some effected by RA also develop anemia

7. Be Early and Aggressive
While there is no cure for RA there are steps one can take to
help ensure remission.
Researchers have developed various disease modifying antirheumatic drugs or DMARDS which prevent inflation.
If these DMARDS have little effect doctors may also prescribe
biologic response modifiers which have shown great results in
interrupting the body’s inflammatory process.
Some other things your doctor may suggest are:
NSAID
Acetaminophen
Prednisone

8. RA is a Team Effort!
Managing RA require a true team approach. Often times
RA requires a team of doctors such as:
Primary Doctor
Rheumatologist
Internist
Have a strong background in joints, muscles, bones, skin, etc.
Orthopedists
Specializes in diseases of the bone
Physiatrists
Show you exercises that help reduce RA

9. Taking Care of Your Body is Crucial
The following are the measures you can take to help
reduce the effects of RA:
Important to keep strain off your joints
Exercise (within reason)
Balanced diet
Good posture
Assistive devices
Keep weight under control

10. Self-management is Key to Living
Better
Make a conscious effort to maintain a positive attitude and
outlook while leading an overall healthy lifestyle.
Take in all the information you can about your condition
from trusted sources.
Keep records of symptoms , medication, side effects, pain
levels, etc. for your doctor.
Develop a network of friends, family, and co-works who
you can count on for emotional support.
Lastly stay updated on news regarding RA from credible
sources such as http://www.arthritistoday.org/ and
http://www.arthritis.org/