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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Disease:
Rheumatoid Arthritis.
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Cause:
Unknown.
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Discription: Swelling
in joints of hands, wrists, ankles, and feet that is Symmetrical.
This means that it affects joints on both sides. It can involve other
joints as wells.
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Diagnosis:
by history and physical examination and
laboratory Tests.
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Specialist to see:
Rheumatologist.
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Early diagnosis and
treatment is very crucial
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Once joints are damaged,
they can not be reversed. Therefore make sure you gets diagnosed and
treated early
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Most Rheumatologists will
see you right away if your family doctor tells them you have Rheumatoid
Arthritis.
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There are now excellent
treatments such as biologics for this condition that can slow down this
disease in a significant way.
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Medications used here
include: Methotrexate, Arava,
Enbrel, Humira, Remicade, Orencia, and Rituxan. Older and less effective
drugs such as Minocycline, Sulfasalazine, Imuran, and Gold are also used.
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For pain control at times
low dose Prednisone, NSAIDs and Pain Medications are also used.
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