Rheumatoid arthritis is a crippling disease that affects young and old alike. Although there is no cure for this autoimmune disorder, there are a variety of treatment options, ranging from medication, to natural remedies, to lifestyle changes. Read on to learn more about rheumatoid arthritis, including symptoms, treatment options, and more.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that is chronic in nature, and affects not only tissues and joints, but also other organs at later stages of the disease. The exact cause of the disease is yet to be found out, and unfortunately, there is no complete cure for the disease. Medicine and certain lifestyle changes can only help in reducing the symptoms and problems associated with this crippling condition.

It is very important to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis in the early stages, because most of the times this disease is often confused with temporary problems, and may lead to further aggravation of the disease in the patient if left undetected. On the other hand, early diagnosis will lead to early treatment that will prevent unnecessary damage to the joints and subsequent disability in the patient.

According to studies, around 30% of the patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis suffered disability within 2-3 years without treatment; this is why it is always emphasized to diagnose the disease at the earliest. However, this is not the case with all patients. Some patients might have a low risk form of the disease. Proper and early diagnosis of the disease will lead to identification of the disease, the risk factors, as well as the stage of the disease. In this way proper treatment for the patient could be found, resulting in healthier outcomes for the patient.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a deadly disease that might leave patients completely disabled for the rest of their lives; however, with the right treatment and early detection, irreversible damage to the joints can be prevented. As such, aggressive treatment from the beginning is a great option for patients and doctors alike.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease that not only affects the joints, but also other parts of the body. Depending on the nature of the patient and the disease, the symptoms might also vary which definitely makes it a troublesome task for the doctors to diagnose the disease. Some patients might feel tiredness and fatigue, whereas some might have loss of appetite, some might have Sjogrens syndrome, and some might have trouble in breathing. Heart diseases and strokes are also a common complication that is faced by patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Delay in diagnosis and treatment will cause complications that will be irreversible. Early diagnosis will stop the joint destruction process, and will also relieve you of the inevitable pain, that is accompanied with this disease.