Wei Laboratories, Inc.
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What Is Rheumatoid Aarthritis?[1]
"Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of
the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis can also cause inflammation of the tissue around the joints,
as well as in other organs in the body. Autoimmune diseases are illnesses that occur when
the body's tissues are mistakenly attacked by their own immune system. Because it can
affect multiple other organs of the body, rheumatoid arthritis is referred to as a systemic
illness and is sometimes called rheumatoid disease.
A joint is where two bones meet to allow movement of body parts. Arthritis means joint
inflammation. The joint inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis causes swelling, pain, stiffness,
and redness in the joints. The inflammation of rheumatoid disease can also occur in tissues
around the joints, such as the tendons, ligaments, and muscles.
In some patients with rheumatoid arthritis, chronic inflammation leads to the destruction of
the cartilage, bone, and ligaments, causing deformity of the joints. Damage to the joints can
occur early in the disease and be progressive. Moreover, studies have shown that the
progressive damage to the joints does not necessarily correlate with the degree of pain,
stiffness, or swelling present in the joints.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a common rheumatic disease, affecting approximately 1.3 million
people in the United States, according to current census data. The disease is three times
more common in women as in men. It afflicts people of all races equally. The disease can
begin at any age, but it most often starts after age 40 and before 60. In some families,
multiple members can be affected, suggesting a genetic basis for the disorder.
Treatments[1]
"There is no known cure for rheumatoid arthritis. To date, the goal of treatment in
rheumatoid arthritis is to reduce joint inflammation and pain, maximize joint function, and
prevent joint destruction and deformity. Early medical intervention has been shown to be
important in improving outcomes. Aggressive management can improve function, stop
damage to joints as monitored on X-rays, and prevent work disability. Optimal treatment for
the disease involves a combination of medications, rest, joint-strengthening exercises, joint
protection, and patient (and family) education. Treatment is customized according to many
factors such as disease activity, types of joints involved, general health, age, and patient
occupation. Treatment is most successful when there is close cooperation between the
doctor, patient, and family members.
Two classes of medications are used in treating rheumatoid arthritis: fast-acting "first-line
drugs" and slow-acting "second-line drugs" (also referred to as disease-modifying
antirheumatic drugs or DMARDs). The first-line drugs, such as aspirin and cortisone
(corticosteroids), are used to reduce pain and inflammation. The slow-acting second-line
drugs, such as gold, methotrexate, and hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), promote disease
remission and prevent progressive joint destruction, but they are not antiinflammatory
agents.
The degree of destructiveness of rheumatoid arthritis varies from patient to patient. Patients
with uncommon, less destructive forms of the disease or disease that has quieted after
years of activity ("burned out" rheumatoid arthritis) can be managed with rest, pain and
antiinflammatory medications alone. In general, however, patients improve function and
minimize disability and joint destruction when treated earlier with second-line drugs
(disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs), even within months of the diagnosis. Most patients
require more aggressive second-line drugs, such as methotrexate, in addition to
antiinflammatory agents. Sometimes these second-line drugs are used in combination. In
some patients with severe joint deformity, surgery may be necessary."
Alternative Medicine[2]
"In Western culture, the term alternative medicine refers to any healing practice "that does
not fall within the realm of conventional medicine"."[3]
To find an experienced licensed alternative medicine practitioner close to you, please
contact us either by phone at 1-888-919-1188 or by e-mail at wei@weilab.com.
References:
[1] MedicineNet.com
[3] Wikipedia
[4] Bratman, MD, Steven (1997). The Alternative Medicine Sourcebook. Lowell House. pp. 7.
ISBN 1565656261.
"Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of
the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis can also cause inflammation of the tissue around the joints,
as well as in other organs in the body. Autoimmune diseases are illnesses that occur when
the body's tissues are mistakenly attacked by their own immune system. Because it can
affect multiple other organs of the body, rheumatoid arthritis is referred to as a systemic
illness and is sometimes called rheumatoid disease.
A joint is where two bones meet to allow movement of body parts. Arthritis means joint
inflammation. The joint inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis causes swelling, pain, stiffness,
and redness in the joints. The inflammation of rheumatoid disease can also occur in tissues
around the joints, such as the tendons, ligaments, and muscles.
In some patients with rheumatoid arthritis, chronic inflammation leads to the destruction of
the cartilage, bone, and ligaments, causing deformity of the joints. Damage to the joints can
occur early in the disease and be progressive. Moreover, studies have shown that the
progressive damage to the joints does not necessarily correlate with the degree of pain,
stiffness, or swelling present in the joints.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a common rheumatic disease, affecting approximately 1.3 million
people in the United States, according to current census data. The disease is three times
more common in women as in men. It afflicts people of all races equally. The disease can
begin at any age, but it most often starts after age 40 and before 60. In some families,
multiple members can be affected, suggesting a genetic basis for the disorder.
Treatments[1]
"There is no known cure for rheumatoid arthritis. To date, the goal of treatment in
rheumatoid arthritis is to reduce joint inflammation and pain, maximize joint function, and
prevent joint destruction and deformity. Early medical intervention has been shown to be
important in improving outcomes. Aggressive management can improve function, stop
damage to joints as monitored on X-rays, and prevent work disability. Optimal treatment for
the disease involves a combination of medications, rest, joint-strengthening exercises, joint
protection, and patient (and family) education. Treatment is customized according to many
factors such as disease activity, types of joints involved, general health, age, and patient
occupation. Treatment is most successful when there is close cooperation between the
doctor, patient, and family members.
Two classes of medications are used in treating rheumatoid arthritis: fast-acting "first-line
drugs" and slow-acting "second-line drugs" (also referred to as disease-modifying
antirheumatic drugs or DMARDs). The first-line drugs, such as aspirin and cortisone
(corticosteroids), are used to reduce pain and inflammation. The slow-acting second-line
drugs, such as gold, methotrexate, and hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), promote disease
remission and prevent progressive joint destruction, but they are not antiinflammatory
agents.
The degree of destructiveness of rheumatoid arthritis varies from patient to patient. Patients
with uncommon, less destructive forms of the disease or disease that has quieted after
years of activity ("burned out" rheumatoid arthritis) can be managed with rest, pain and
antiinflammatory medications alone. In general, however, patients improve function and
minimize disability and joint destruction when treated earlier with second-line drugs
(disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs), even within months of the diagnosis. Most patients
require more aggressive second-line drugs, such as methotrexate, in addition to
antiinflammatory agents. Sometimes these second-line drugs are used in combination. In
some patients with severe joint deformity, surgery may be necessary."
Alternative Medicine[2]
"In Western culture, the term alternative medicine refers to any healing practice "that does
not fall within the realm of conventional medicine"."[3]
To find an experienced licensed alternative medicine practitioner close to you, please
contact us either by phone at 1-888-919-1188 or by e-mail at wei@weilab.com.
References:
[1] MedicineNet.com
[3] Wikipedia
[4] Bratman, MD, Steven (1997). The Alternative Medicine Sourcebook. Lowell House. pp. 7.
ISBN 1565656261.
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