Rheumatoid Arthritis Support

Rheumatoid arthiritis is a serious and debilitating condition in which the joints of the body become inflamed and swollen, leading to loss of movement and in the worst cases, severe chronic pain. However, it's not the only kind of arthritis out there, so it's important to be sure you know which kind you have, as the treatments are very different. There are over 100 recognized types of arthritis, the two most common being osteoarthritis, which is caused by wear and tear on the joints, and rheumatoid arthritis, an auto-immune disorder affecting men and women of all ages, as well as children.  Over 2 million people in the United States alone suffer from rheumatoid arthritis.In general, all types of arthritis most commonly affect people in their later years of life and is the number one form of disability in persons aged 55 and over. Treatment usually involves a combination of physical therapy and medication. In severe cases an arthritis patient may even require joint replacement surgery. This is particularly common in rheumatoid arthiritis.As with most degenerative disorders, changes to lifestyle and diet can help rheumatoid arthiritis sufferers to slow the progression of their disease. Obesity is recognized as a major risk factor for development of most forms of arthritis and is recognized as a major non-fatal complication affecting obese subjects.Please browse our articles and remember to check back often for updates.