Rheumatoid arthritis is, after Osteoarthritis, the second most common form of joint diseases and usually affects the fingers, wrist, ankles and feet.  Rheumatoid arthritis can affect all age groups as well as both men and women but women, especially in the age groups of 30-50 are more susceptible to this type of joint pain.

This joint condition shows a typical pattern surrounding the inflamed joints. The first signs show a swelling of the joint and inflammation of the synovial membrane followed by erosion and loss of cartilage and bone.  Rheumatoid arthritis is a classic example of a symmetric arthritis; doctors can diagnose this condition by identifying the pattern of joint pain. So if your left wrist hurts there are chances that your right wrist would hurt, too.  But, if the joint involvement is asymmetric, your left wrist would hurt, but your right wrist would not.  Rheumatoid arthritis may be caused by a number of reasons such as hereditary tendencies, genetics, sedentary lifestyles etc but most affected people have a particular antibody- HLA-DR4 that could be the main cause.

Rheumatoid arthritis can be contained by resting the affected joints, a healthy nutritious diet and by medications such as aspirin, salicylates, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory preparations and slow-acting agents including penicillamine, gold, sulphasalazine, hydroxychloroquine. A lot of people suffering from this joint condition with proper medications and care show improvements, enough to lead a fairly normal life, but in some severe cases it could lead to disability.

Disclaimer:

The information and references contained here are intended solely for the general information of the reader. It is NOT to be used for treatment purposes. The information posted here is not to be considered medical advice and is not intended to replace consultation with a qualified medical professional. DO NOT change/modify your disease management plan on your own without consulting your treating physician.

The information presented here is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of professional medical care.

The information contained herein is neither intended to dictate what constitutes reasonable, appropriate or best care for any given health issue, nor is it intended to be used as a substitute for the independent judgement of a physician for any given health issue. If you have persistent health problems please consult your health care provider.