1. Isn't Arthritis Just Arthritis?
No, there are many types of arthritis. Some types of arthritis are caused by wear and tear on the joints, like osteoarthritis. Inflammatory arthritis includes rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, Reiter's syndrome, ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis. Inflammatory arthritis is considered an autoimmune disease, in which the immune system overreacts and attacks the body. The synovium, which is the lining of the joint, is affected. Damage to bone and cartilage may also occur with long term inflammatory arthritis. Although it is an immune response, the cause of inflammatory arthritis is unknown.
2. Feeling Stiff? Could Be Arthritis
Stiffness in the morning is the most common symptom of inflammatory arthritis. The stiffness can last from 30 minutes to all day. Other symptoms of inflammatory arthritis include pain and swelling of the joints, especially of the hands and feet. A low-grade fever may be present and the swollen joint may be red and hot to the touch. Loss of function or reduced function in the joint is the result of pain and swelling. Some people with inflammatory arthritis experience rheumatoid nodules, which are small hard bumps under the skin, close to the affected joint. Deformities of joints may occur from inflammatory arthritis.
3. Get Inflammation Cause Confirmed
A history of prolonged morning stiffness is the most frequent basis for initial diagnosis, because osteoarthritis rarely causes long lasting morning stiffness. The doctor will physically examine the swollen joints and order lab tests to confirm the diagnosis. Lab tests include a "sed" rate; a test in which the time it takes red blood cells to settle to the bottom of a test tube is timed. The faster the red blood cells settle, the more it indicates that active inflammation is present. Synovial fluid can be withdrawn from the joint with a needle and examined to confirm diagnosis. Red blood cell counts are done to check for anemia, which occurs in many patients. Approximately 70 percent of patients with inflammatory arthritis have a distinctive marker in their blood called the "rheumatoid factor", which is another indication of inflammatory arthritis.
4. The Gold Standard in Treatment
NSAIDs (non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are frequently prescribed to reduce inflammation and pain. Steroids like Prednisone are also given during severe flare-ups to reduce inflammation. Long-term use of steroids is not recommended due to side effects. Immunosuppressive drugs help reduce the inflammatory response of the body. Slow-acting drugs, such as gold injections, are given to slow the progression of the disease. Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are very useful in treating inflammatory arthritis patients and have shown good results in symptom relief, improving the quality of life.
5. Life After Diagnosis
Rest is recommended during a flare-up of inflammatory arthritis, however long-term bed rest is not recommended. Resting the joint during a flare-up helps to prevent further damage. Maintaining joint movement, appropriate medications and good nutrition all help improve life after diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis.
