Rheumatoid Arthritis vs Osteoarthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis both cause joint pain and stiffness. They are both forms of arthritis but have different causes and treatments.There are over 100 types of arthritis and related diseases. Two of the most common types are rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). OA is more common than RA. Both OA and RA involve inflammation in the joints, but the inflammation in RA is much greater. Until recently, healthcare professionals believed that inflammation was not present in OA. OA and RA share some symptoms. RA can affect multiple joints in a subtype called polyarticular arthritis, and it tends to affect the body symmetrically. OA usually affects a few joints…
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RA Hand Pain Hacks

Pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis, or (RA) can make everyday tasks a challenge. And there are assistive devices out there that can help save joints and minimize excessive energy output. There are hacks that for these devices can be used differently to save you money and further joint pain. Let’s start with hacks to save your hands, fingers, and wrists and repurposing some tools you may already have around the house in new ways. Here are four tips for giving yourself a helping hand Use a kitchen sponge for stability. When handling a mixing bowl with a pinching gesture, place…
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How Does RA Affect the Body

People feel the primary symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in their joints. However, this condition can also affect many other parts of the body, including the eyes, lungs, and heart.Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) causes a person's immune system to mistakenly attack healthy tissue. When left untreated, RA can have wide-ranging effects. Along with the joints, RA can affect many of the body's organs, including the heart, eyes, and brain, as well as the skeleton. Medication for RA can also cause side effects across the body. In this article, we look at RA's diverse range of impacts. We also discuss the long-term effects of…
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Rheumatoid arthritis: Scorpion venom may help

The Indian red scorpion is one of the most dangerous scorpions in the world. Without treatment, a sting from this creature can kill a human in just 72 hours. But it's not all bad; a compound found in its venom could help to treat one of the most common and debilitating health conditions in the United States. In a new study, researchers have revealed how iberiotoxin, one of several compounds in the deadly venom of the Indian red scorpion, stopped the progression of rheumatoid arthritis in rat models of the disease. Study leader Dr. Christine Beeton, of the Baylor College of…
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Preventing Shingles in RA Patients

The live varicella-zoster vaccine can effectively prevent shingles in rheumatoid arthritis patients starting treatment with the drug tofacitinib, according to results of 2 recently-published studies in Arthritis & Rheumatology. Shingles causes a painful rash that may appear as a stripe of blisters on the trunk of the body. Pain can persist even after the rash is gone (this is called postherpetic neuralgia). Treatments include pain relief and antiviral medications such as acyclovir or valacyclovir. A chickenpox vaccine in childhood or a shingles vaccine as an adult can minimize the risk of developing shingles. Patients who received the shingles vaccine several weeks prior…
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