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Rheumatoid arthritis is the second
most common form of Arthritis. It is an inflammatory disease-though
involved with joints, it is not degenerative.
It is an autoimmune disease in
which the body's immune system (the body's way of fighting
infection) attacks healthy joints, tissues and organs. The
natural defence mechanism of the body recognizes some component
of the joint lining (synovium) as an enemy and attacks it.
When an immunological attack is taking place it is normally
accompanied by inflammatory reaction. Inflammation of the
synovial membrane may spread to other parts of the joint and
the inflamed tissue may grow into the cartilage surrounding
the bone ends, causing it to deteriorate. When the cartilage
disintegrates, scar tissue forms between the bone ends, fusing
the joint, making it rigid and difficult to move.
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Normal
Joint
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Joint
with Rheumatoid arthritis
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In a normal joint (where
two bones come together), the muscle, bursa (sacs of
fluid that protect moving muscles, skin and tendons)
and tendons (tissue that attaches muscle to bone) support
the bone and help the joint to move. The synovial membrane
releases a slippery fluid into the joint space. Cartilage
covers the ends of the bone to absorb shocks and to
keep the bones from rubbing together when the joint
moves.
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With rheumatoid arthritis,
the joint becomes inflamed and the synovial membrane
becomes thicker. This causes the joint to swell, causing
damage to bone and cartilage. Over time, the bone and
cartilage gets destroyed. Space between the joint gets
smaller, and the joint loses shape and moves
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Another reason is that the
inflammation in the joint is the result of persistent infection.
The organism responsible for such infection has not yet been
determined but there are other cases of inflammatory conditions
being caused by condition of this type.
Rheumatoid arthritis is also related
to a group of substances known as prostaglandins. These are
a special class of unsaturated fatty acids, which have a high
level of physiological activity. They are involved in various
bodily functions including ovulation, maintenance of blood
pressure, smooth muscle stimulation etc. it is known that
inhibition of the synthesis of certain prostaglandins in the
body is affected by some anti-inflammatory drugs and also
by the mussel extract. Quite possibly, these prostaglandins
are influential in the inflammatory process involved in rheumatoid
arthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis is not a
condition restricted to the elderly or athletes. It has no
age barriers and can even affect young children. The severity
of this disease can vary from the case of a person who merely
suffers mild pain and stiffness in certain joints for a short
period, to the case where the person is bedridden, has distorted
limbs and is maintained on constant drug therapy just to control
the situation.
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Several laboratory tests
along with a complete physical examination, a health history
and X-Rays help in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.
A test called the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) indicates
the presence of any inflammation in the body. In this test
a small blood sample is drawn; then the depth that the red
blood cells sink to, in a tube in 1 hour is recorded.
Another test done with the
blood sample helps to determine the presence of rheumatoid
factor, an abnormal antibody present in most people who have
rheumatoid arthritis. In normal conditions the presence of
an antibody is nil.
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While the course of rheumatoid
arthritis is unpredictable, excellent therapy is now available
to reduce inflammation and to reduce a drug induced remission
of disease activity.
Sometimes permanent remission
or disappearance of symptoms occurs. Thus, even if rheumatoid
arthritis does not go into a natural remission, drugs are
available to induce a remission.
Click
here to learn about the New Zealand Green Lipped Mussel
Extract (GLME) - a clinially proven dietary supplement that
gives relief from Rheumatoid arthritis.
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