Rheumatoid Arthritis Power Point

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Rheumatoid Arthristis (RA) Stephen Luce

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PP discussing Rheumatoid Arthritis for Medical Assisting at Community Care College

Transcript of Rheumatoid Arthritis Power Point

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Rheumatoid Arthristis (RA)

Stephen Luce

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Possible causes; although no one is quite sure of the exact cause

Doctors don’t know what starts this process, although a genetic component appears likely. While your genes don’t actually cause rheumatoid arthritis, they can make you more susceptible to environmental factors – such as infection with certain viruses and bacteria – that may trigger the disease.

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At Risk

It affects around 1.3 million Americans,

which 70 of are women.

Although it can occur at virtually any age

People between the ages of 30 -50 yrs

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Causes: RA occurs when your immune system

attacks the synovium – the lining of the membranes that surround your joints which eventually invade and destroy the cartlage and bone within the joint.

The tendons and ligaments weaken and stretch.

Joint loses shape and allignment.

Loss of joint function

Rheumatoid is an autoimmune disease that causes your body to attacks its own immune system:

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DMARDs disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs which help slow or stop progressin of RA. The most common prescribed is methotrexate, DMARDs work to supress the immune system. However, they aren’t selective in their targets. In the end they decrease the immune system overall and increase likelihood of catching some infections. But particularly methotrexate, have seen dramatik improvements in severe RA and can help joint function.

Exercising regularly those still and painful joints can reduce the pain of RA. It also helps keep bones and muscles strong, and helps reverse joint stiffness. Choosing the right exercise is important in RA patients caution needs to be used with any exercise that puts pressure on the joints, like jogging and heavy weight lifting.

NSAIDS these drugs reduce pain and inflammation but do not slow down the progression of the disease.

Steroids, for severe RA or when flare ups occur. They may be recommended by your doctore to ease pain and stiffness and afffected joints but are usually only used temporarly. Possible long term effects include high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and diabetes.

Knee Replacement Surgery ; While osteoarthritis may strike just one knee, rheumatoid arthritis tends to affect both sides of the body. It can also affect the hands, wrists, and feet. RA can also cause other symptoms, such as fever and fatigue.

Alternative Treatments

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Moist heat

Alternative Medicine

Plant oils

Tai chi

Cat’s clw

Fish oil

acupuncture

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Symptoms might include;

Swelling in the wrist, hand, or finger joints. Usually the same joints are affected on both sides of the body.

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Arthritis can also cause firm lumps under the skin known as rheumatoid nodules.

Morning joint stiffness, Swellling/fluid around several joints at the same time.

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Take conrole, in other words make a plan for how you going to manage your arthritis. This will help you feel in charge of your disease.

Take time for yourself. Its easy to get caught up in the busy world but dont’t forget to take time for yourself, travel, go for a walk, listen to your favorite music.

Exercise regularly, certain excersise can help strengthen the muscles around the joints and promote growth. So take a short walk, go swimming.

Connect with others, as in your family make them aware of how you’re feeling. Find a family member or friend you can talk to when you’re feeling overwhelmed.

Know your limits. Your body knows when its oudone itself and need to recharge, so let it. A rest or short nap that doesn’t interfere with your regualr sleep schedule.

Apply heat or cole. Heat helps ease the pain and relax tense, painful muscles.. Cold may lessen the sensation of pain but it also decreases muscle spasms.

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Your own footer Your Logo

"Rheumatoid Arthritis." Rheumatoid Arthritis. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Aug.

2012.

<http://www.arthritis.org/rheumatoid-arthritis.php>.

"Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms, Treatment, Diet, Medications -

MedicineNet." MedicineNet. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Aug. 2012.

<http://www.medicinenet.com/rheumatoid_arthritis/article.htm>.