Dec. 4, 2010

It dawned on me last night that many of my friends probably don't know what RA really is. Honestly, most people don't know what it is... so don't feel bad. I'm just glad you are reading this to find out. :)

Thank you to Kelly at RAWarrior.com (Dec.4, 2010) for this write up:

A Misnamed Disease: Rheumatoid Arthritis is a misnomer. 

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) has an ill-fated name. Things sometimes do: spaghetti squash is not pasta; a hot dog is not a dog; we park on a driveway and drive on a parkway.

“Rheumatoid” is a reference to rheumatic fever which is not at all related to Rheumatoid Arthritis. The word “rheumatic” comes from an ancient Greek word for “flow,” which reflects a primitive understanding of medicine. By the eighteenth century, a similarity was noted between the painful symptoms of rheumatic fever and those of what we call Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Of course, we all know what “arthritis” means: literally, inflamed joints. Technically, Rheumatoid Arthritis is completely unrelated to the condition most people call “arthritis”: osteoarthritis.
Doctors call osteoarthritis by that name now so that it can be distinguished from Rheumatoid Arthritis and many other diseases using that word. Some do refer to Rheumatoid disease or autoimmune arthritis, but that can also refer to Lupus, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Juvenile Arthritis, or Psoriatic arthritis. Maybe we just need a better name for Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Is a Systemic Disease
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is actually a systemic autoimmune disease which attacks primarily, but not solely, the joints. It is an incurable disease affecting the synovial tissues which surround joints and similar lining tissues of certain organs.  Through a very complex process, various kinds of immune cells attack and eventually destroy otherwise healthy tissues.

In Moderate to Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis (sometimes called Progressive RA or Aggressive RA), many joints, or every joint in some cases, becomes painfully stiff, weakened, or swollen. Mild RA is distinguished from those cases since fewer joints, such as hand or feet joints only, are usually involved. In either case, tissues which support and connect joints, and eventually the bone tissues themselves are gradually destroyed. The result is dislocation, disability, and deformity, often leading to multiple joint replacements.

The Rheumatoid Arthritis disease courses
There are a few different courses which Rheumatoid Arthritis can take. Some patients will have remissions between active disease flares. RA can improve a great deal during the remissions. Only about five percent of RA patients will experience a permanent remission of all Rheumatoid Arthritis symptoms. The worst course of Rheumatoid Arthritis is one in which no remissions are seen.
RA is usually progressive, even in patients with periodic remissions. The more Rheumatoid Arthritis progresses, the more likely it is to move beyond the joints. However, RA also can begin in extra articular fashion.
Rheumatoid Arthritis can affect various organs including eyes, lungs, heart, mouth, kidneys, liver, blood vessels, nerves, and skin. RA patients also have a higher incidence of certain dangerous conditions including heart disease, stroke, periodontal disease, osteoporosis, anemia, vasculitis, peripheral neuropathy, lymphoma and other blood cancers. Exact causes for these facts are unknown.

What is the difference between Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Sometimes, you can show how much you care by sharing what you know. But, other times, you can show how much you care by acknowledging what you don’t know.
A good friend asked me this week to explain the difference between Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and arthritis /Osteoarthritis (OA). I was really impressed with her. It took courage to admit she that did not know. Do you know how many people have asked me that? She is the first one.
How many people do I hear ask, “What is Rheumatoid Arthritis anyway?” Very, very few. They usually don’t already know. So, I wonder why not.
Anyway, that is the hand we’re dealt. So here is my short answer:
 If you have a favorite tool and you use it a lot, it can start to get rusty and worn. That’s OA. You can sometimes clean it up with chemicals or a salt scrub. That’s like getting arthroscopic surgery done to clean up a knee.

Think of Osteoarthritis like rust
Who does generic osteoarthritis strike? The most simple answer is anyone who has used a joint excessively: mainly that means old joints and athletes.

Rheumatoid Arthritis  is more complicated than osteoarthritis
It would be a bit more like leaving a brand new tool in a bucket of battery acid overnight. It is suddenly ruined. You better buy a new one.
That is the sudden destruction and disability of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Joints and their supporting tissues are suddenly destroyed and left disabled. Little holes in the bone called erosions tell the story of some erosive substance which has eaten away the flesh.  And once it begins, the destruction continues.
The joints cannot be cleaned out on an outpatient visit. Frequently, joints must just be replaced.

Where does Rheumaoid Arthritis strike?
 Joints, organs, nerves, muscles, tendons, and bones in children, women, and men of all ages, but most frequently between 30 and 50.
Thank you to my friend for asking that very basic question. I am grateful that she gave me permission to share, so I tried to give a simple answer. With a short answer, perhaps more folks will be able to understand.
For a more complete answer, stay tuned to Rheumatoid Arthritis Warrior. I know that my friend will because she cares. I know she cares because she told me what she did not know.

Thank you Kelly at RAWarrior.com. This was written far better than I could have ever said it.