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As we have been discovering the ins and outs of different types of arthritis it got me thinking about being a woman and what my current lifestyle could possibly hold for me in the future.
As health conscience as I am in my mid-twenties, unfortunately, nothing can stop me from getting Rheumatoid Arthritis. Although the cause is unclear, this particular type of arthritis is a chronic, progressive autoimmune disorder where white blood cells attack themselves because they cannot distinguish between healthy and harmful cells. Healthy tissues in the joints are ultimately damaged as a result. Most types of arthritis effect one joint, or one part of the body. RA is frequently recognized by the fact that it attacks both sides of your body in symmetry. The most common examples are both hands, wrists or knees - both being the key word.
Statistically speaking, Rheumatoid Arthritis effects about 1% of the U.S. population, striking two to three more times more in women than men. A variety of factors have been known to cause RA, however, most notable are genetics, environmental factors and hormones. I guess hormones would help us understand why more women are prone to it than men. You know, the more I think about this, the more I realize everything in our body revolves around our hormones. We can’t catch a break, can we ladies?!
Besides entering the “over the hill” phase of life where it seems everything starts breaking down, it is important to keep in mind all the risk factors of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Relatively speaking, most cases of RA strike men and women starting between 30-55. That is obviously a large range of age, but what is more alarming is the amount of children with RA. Approximately 300,000 kids in the U.S. are living with arthritis. Considering this is a chronic, progressive form of arthritis, kids with RA need to be especially careful about their treatment to preserve and protect their joints for their future.
There is also another characteristic about Rheumatoid Arthritis that makes it unique to other types of arthritis, which in my opinion is the most critical to understand. RA doesn’t just affect your joints like most types of arthritis. Because this is an autoimmune disorder, you run the risk of your body attacking your organs as well, causing serious medical complications. The most common problems among those with RA include cardiovascular diseases, infection, and lung disease. Other organs that can be affected are skin, eyes, blood and nerves. The earlier RA is detected, the better chance you have of treating and possibly preventing a serious condition from occurring.
Besides these two distinctive traits of Rheumatoid Arthritis, this disorder acts and feels like most types of arthritis, especially Osteoarthritis. Therefore, it may be hard to distinguish between the two. Aside from joint pain and swelling, if you experience fatigue, stiffness in the morning or after being sedentary for an extended period of time, and nodule like bumps around the inflamed joint, then you should consult your doctor about the possibility of rheumatoid arthritis. The earlier it is detected, the earlier you can start a treatment plan to get you ahead of the game and avoid possible long term effects of Rheumatoid Arthritis.
If you have been diagnosed or want to read more on treatment options, long term consequences, and exercise techniques to keep you active with RA, check back Wednesday. The more you know, the more control you have over your mind and body, the better off you are.
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Thank you Pat for your kind words. We are all in this together.
December 6, 2009 - 4:22amThis Comment
This was a great read ! I could relate to it well. I have had Rheumatoid arthritis for over 25 years , it has done great damage. I also have four other forms of arthritis and a birth injury to my right arm. Learning to cope with pain is hard enough but deformitiy was worse. I thought my life was over the pain is so bad on most days. I always had a passion for baking and gourmet foods. I really did not want to give it up due to pain. So over the past several years I developed ways to complete my kitchen tasks using other parts of my body. I got so good at it I wrote a self help cookbook that was released Nation wide this past Sept. Its called A Complete Illustrated guide to cooking with arthritis. By writing the book and a publisher picking it up it made me relize that anything is possible. I still have daily pain and of course deformity but at least now I feel like I helped others by having this aweful disease.
November 17, 2009 - 4:31amThis Comment
Hi Melinda - Thanks so much for writing, and for your encouraging words that emphasize going forward with your passions despite pain and other issues. I did a search for your cookbook and was quite impressed by the reviews. You've provided a great service for others dealing with physical limitations. Isn't it wonderful to not only do something we love but to also find a way to help others do the same? I think we could learn a lot from you, and I hope you will write to us again.
November 17, 2009 - 6:49pmTake good care,
Pat
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