Question 1

how can you stop symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in finger/s?

Accepted Answer

Control the disease: Control the underlying inflammatory process and you control the pain and stiffness.

Question 2

how do you know if you have rheumatoid arthritis? my blood work seems like its positive, what do i do? i dont even have a pcp.

Accepted Answer

Rheumatology: You need a rheumatologist to finalize work up and have a thorough evaluation. Keep log of symptoms with duration, location, etc as that might help significantly in formulating a diagnosis. It is always wise to establish with a PCP. Sometimes a diagnosis is not clearly delineated in a specific field and you will have a second chance through your PCP.

Question 3

whats the effect of rheumatoid arthritis on the heart and vessels?

Accepted Answer

Bad: Ra is an inflammotry disorder, characterized by high levels of CRP in the body.  CRP does not cause the damge, but is the best surrogate marker for inflammation in the body, particularly the blood stream.  Inflammation hurts the ling of blood vessels and increases the tendency to deposit cholesterol plaques.  It raises clotting factors, such as fibrinogen which makes the blood more liely to clot!

Question 4

could i do judo with rheumatoid arthritis?

Accepted Answer

Possibly: You can try it if the RA is under excellent control. Otherwise, find a less stressful activity.

Question 5

is every rheumatoid arthritis case serious?

Accepted Answer

Potentially: We now know that untreated, rheumatoid arthritis has the potential to cause permanent joint damage that leads to disability.  However, there are many very effective and safe treatments to prevent this. The key is to treat it early on and have a good relationship with a rheumatologist.

Question 6

can you develop rheumatoid arthritis overnight?

Accepted Answer

Symptoms may.: Acute polyarthritis can rarely develop overnight and is one presentation of RA , more common in elderly patients.  The immune, genetic and enviromental mechanisms which are responsible for RA  do not occur overnight, and have been in place for an a significant period of time before the onset of rheumatoid arthritis.

Question 7

why should i get tested for rheumatoid arthritis?

Accepted Answer

For remission: Don't ever assume you have this disease without being treated or evaluated . If properly diagnosed and treated early remission can occurr before crip[pling deformities. Please seek medical evaluation

Question 8

what to do about rheumatoid arthritis help please?

Accepted Answer

See a rheumatologist: You see a rheumatologist and start appropriate treatment. There are very effective medications which can place the disease in remission and prevent joint damage.

Question 9

what do elevated rheumatoid arthritis markers mean?

Accepted Answer

Blood test: To diagnose rheumatoid arthritis, a patient needs to have certain distinguishing criteria.  Among them is a marker in the blood called rheumatoid factor.  An elevated rheumatoid factor alone isn't enough to diagnose someone with rheumatoid arthritis but combined with other symptoms may aid in its diagnosis.

Question 10

how common is rheumatoid arthritis? is it hereditary?

Accepted Answer

Rheumatoid arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis is not common but not rare either.  It has a hereditary component and having a family history increases your risk of developing the disease.

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Doctor answers about:

Inversion table for rheumatoid arthritis

A member asked:

How can you stop symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in finger/s?

A member asked:

How do you know if you have rheumatoid arthritis? my blood work seems like its positive, what do i do? i dont even have a pcp.

A member asked:

Whats the effect of rheumatoid arthritis on the heart and vessels?

A member asked:

Could i do judo with rheumatoid arthritis?

A member asked:

Is every rheumatoid arthritis case serious?

A member asked:

Can you develop rheumatoid arthritis overnight?

A member asked:

Why should i get tested for rheumatoid arthritis?

A member asked:

What to do about rheumatoid arthritis help please?

A member asked:

What do elevated rheumatoid arthritis markers mean?

A member asked:

How common is rheumatoid arthritis? is it hereditary?

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