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Contents: Contents…. RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Syndrome)... CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome)… Lupus… Autism… PRS(Parry Romberg Syndrome… Fibromyalgia… Sarcoidosis… LVAS ( Large Vestubular Auditory Syndrome) … Chronic Migraines … Poem Posters … Multiple Sclerosis… Cancer… Chronic Pain… TN (Trigeminal Neuralgia… Posters: Anxiety Disorder… Rheumatoid Arthritis… Osteoarthritis…
Hello everyone welcome to the first edition of AwarenessBeyondArt Awareness Magazine that I have created for all of you. Your probably wondering why did I create a magazine with many different diseases in it and added some of the graphics that have been made. Well I wanted to make this magazine for all of you and to let others know that there is someone that cares about you and your diseases. Here’s a little about myself that many probably may know or don’t know. I have been doing awareness graphics for some time now and have enjoyed it. I’m making these graphics or posters to raise awareness through my artwork. My name is Cheryl Lynn Poppe and I’m the creator of AwarenessBeyondArt Facebook Page and Zazzle Store online. I’m not a doctor, a nurse or any other health professional, I am just a person that loves art and wants to make your diseases have a reason to be acknowledged that they all need awareness no matter what the disease is. This is for all my friends and family that suffer from a terrible disease or disorder.
My Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/AwarenessBeyondArt My online Zazzle Store: www.zazzle.com/awarenessbeyondart 2
CRPS/RSD (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome/ Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy) ___________________________________________ Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), formerly Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) or Causalgia, is a chronic systemic disease characterized by severe pain, swelling, and changes in the skin. CRPS is expected to worsen over time.[1] It often initially affects an arm or a leg and often spreads throughout the body; 92% of patients state that they have experienced a spread and 35% of patients report symptoms in their whole body. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is a multifactorial disorder with clinical features of neurogenic inflammation, nociceptive sensitisation (which causes extreme sensitivity or allodynia), vasomotor dysfunction, and maladaptive neuroplasticity, generated by an aberrant response to tissue injury. Type I, formerly known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), Sudeck's atrophy, reflex neurovascular dystrophy (RND), or algoneurodystrophy, does not have demonstrable nerve lesions. Type II, formerly known as causalgia, has evidence of obvious nerve damage. Type II CRPS tends towards the more painful and difficult to control aspects of CRPS; type II scores 42 out of 50 on the McGill pain scale [6] (however there is seemingly little or no data pertaining to type I specifically here). In Type II the "cause" of the syndrome is the known or obvious nerve injury, although the cause of the mechanisms of CRPS. CRPS can strike at any age. spasms, local swelling, abnormally increased sweating, changes in skin temperature (usually hot but sometimes cold) and color (bright red or a reddish violet), softening restricted or painful movement. Falls, pre syncope and syncope are infrequently reported. The symptoms of CRPS vary in severity and duration.
Symptoms: Clinical features of CRPS have been found to be neurogenic inflammation, nociceptive sensitisation, vasomotor dysfunction, and maladaptive neuroplasticity.[3] The symptoms of CRPS usually initially manifest near the site of an injury, which is usually minor. The most common symptoms overall are burning sensations, stabbing pain, grinding pain, severe tingles and electrical sensations. Moving or touching the limb is often intolerable. The patient may also experience muscle spasms, local swelling, abnormally increased sweating, changes in skin temperature (usually hot but sometimes cold) and color (bright red or a reddish violet), softening and thinning of bones, joint tenderness or stiffness, and/or restricted or painful movement. Falls, pre syncope and syncope are infrequently reported. The symptoms of CRPS vary in severity and duration. The pain of CRPS is continuous and it is widely recognised that it can be heightened by emotional or physical stress. Limbic system involvement suggests a propensity for trouble with sleeping, mood, appetite and sexual desire; in a study of patients with CRPS, reported insomnia, irritability, agitation, anxiety, depression and had poor memory and felt they lacked concentration. "Stage" one is characterized by severe, burning pain at the site of the injury. Muscle spasm, joint stiffness, restricted mobility, rapid hair and nail growth, and vasospasm. The vasospasm is that which causes the changes in the color and temperature of the skin. Some may experience hyperhydrosis (increased sweating). In mild cases this stage lasts a few weeks, in which it can subside spontaneously or respond rapidly to treatment (physical therapy, pain specialist) "Stage" two is characterized by more intense pain. Swelling spreads, hair growth diminishes, nails become cracked, brittle, grooved, and spotty, osteoporosis becomes severe and diffuse, joints thicken, and muscles atrophy. "Stage" three is characterized by irreversible changes in the skin and bones, while the pain becomes unyielding and may involve the entire limb. There is marked muscle atrophy, severely limited mobility of the affected area, and flexor tendon contractions (contractions of the muscles and tendons that flex the joints). Occasionally the limb is displaced from its normal position, and marked bone softening and thinning is more dispersed. Treatment: The general strategy in CRPS treatment is often multi-disciplinary, with the use of different types of medications combined with distinct physical therapies. The treatment principles in children and teenagers are similar.
Physical and occupational therapy are important components of the management of CRPS primarily by desensitizing the affected body part, restoring motion, and improving function. Physical therapy interventions for CRPS can include specific modalities such as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, progressive weight bearing, tactile desensitization, massage, and contrast bath therapy.
Lupus: Disseminated lupus erythematosus; SLE; Lupus; Lupus erythematosus; Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a long-term autoimmune disorder that may affect the skin, joints, kidneys, brain, and other organs. Causes, incidence, and risk factors Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease, which means the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. This leads to longterm (chronic) inflammation. The underlying cause of autoimmune diseases is not fully known. SLE is common in women than in men. It may occur at any age, but appears most often in people between the ages of 10 and 50. SLE may also be caused by certain drugs Symptoms may vary from person to person, and may come and go. Other common symptoms include: Chest pain when taking a deep breath Fatigue Fever with no other cause General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling (malise) Hair loss Mouth sores Sensitivity to sunlight Skin rash- a “butterfly” rash over the cheeks and bridge of the nose Swollen lymph nodes Brain and nervous system: headaches, numbness, tingling, seizures, vision problems, personality changes Digestive tract: abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting Heart: abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) Lung: coughing up blood and difficulty breathing Skin: patchy skin color, fingers and change color when cold
Autism: Autism is a developmental disorder that appears in the first 3 years of life, and affects the brain’s normal development of social and communication skills. Autism is a physical condition linked to abnormal biology and chemistry in the brain. The exact causes of these abnormalities remain unknown, but this is a very active area of research. Genetic factors seem important, for example, identical twins are much more likely than fraternal twins or siblings to both have autism. A number of other possible causes have been suspected, but not proven. They involve: Diet Digestive tract changes Mercury poisoning The body’s inability to properly use vitamins and minerals Vaccine sensitivity Autism and vaccines, many parents are worried that some vaccines are not safe and may harm their baby or young child. They may ask their doctor or nurse to wait, or even refuse to have the vaccine. However, it is important to also think about the risks of not having the vaccination. Some people believe that small amount of mercury (called thimerosal) that is a common preservation in multi dose vaccines causes autism or ADHD. However, studies have not shown the risk to be true. The exact number of children with autism is not known. Autism affects boys 3-4 times more often than girls. Symptoms: Most parents of autistic children suspect that something is wrong by the time the child is 18 months old and seek help by the time the child is age 2. Children with autism typically have difficulties in: Pretend play Social interactions Verbal and nonverbal communication Some children with autism appear normal before age 1 or 2 and then suddenly “regress” and lose language or social skills they had previously gained, this is called regressive type of autism.
PRS(Parry Romberg Syndrome): Parry Romberg Syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by slowly progressive deterioration (atrophy) of the skin and soft tissues of half of . the face (hemifacial atrophy), usually the left side. It is more common in females than males. Initial facial changes usually involve the issues above the upper jaw (maxilla) or between the nose and the upper corner of the lip (nasolabial fold) and subsequently progress to the angle of the mouth, area around the eye, brow, the ear, and the neck. The deterioration may also affect the tongue, the soft and fleshy part of the roof of the mouth, and the gums. The eye and cheek of the affected side mat become sunken and facial hair may turn white and fall out (alopecia). In addition, the skin overlying affected areas become darkly pigmented (hyperpigmentation) with, in some of the cases, areas of hyperpigmentation and patches of unpigmented skin (vitiligo). Parry-Romberg Syndrome is also accompanied by neurological abnormalities including seizures and episodes of severe facial pain (trigeminal neuralgia). There is no cure and there are no treatments that can stop the progression of Parry-Romberg Syndrome. Reconstructive or microvascular surgery may be needed to repair wasted tissue.occur if you have no family history of the illness. Anyone can develop depression, even kids.
What is the prognosis? The prognosis for individuals with Parry-Romberg Syndrome varies. In some cases, the atrophy ends before the entire face is affected. In mild cases, the disorder usually causes no disability other than cosmetic effects. Neurological abnormalities are common. People with Parry-Romberg Syndrome are also afflicted with trigeminal neuralgia (severe pain in the tissues supplied by the ipsilateral trigeminal nerve, including the forehead, eye, cheek, nose, mouth and jaw) and /or migraine (severe headaches that may be accompanied by visual abnormalities, nausea and vomiting. 10% of affected individuals develop a seizure disorder as part of the disease. The seizures are typically Jacksonian in nature (characterized by rapid spasms of muscle group that subsequently spread to adjacent muscles).
Fibromyalgia: Fibromyalgia is a common syndrome in which a person has long-term, body-wide pain and tenderness in the joints, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues. Fibromyalgia has been linked to fatigue, sleep problems, headaches, depression, and anxiety. The cause of fibromyalgia is unknown. Possible causes or triggers of fibromyalgia include: Physical or emotional trauma Abnormal pain response-areas in the brain that are responsible for pain may react differently in fibromyalgia patients. Sleep disturbances Infection, such as a virus, although none has been identified Fibromyalgia is most common among women aged 20 to 50. To be diagnosed with fibromyalgia, you must have had at least 3 months of widespread pain, and pain and tenderness in at least 11 of 18 areas including: Arms (elbows) Buttocks Chest Knees Lower back Neck Rib cage Shoulders Thighs Blood and urine tests are usually normal. However, tests may be done to rule out other conditions that may have similar symptoms. The goal of treatment is to help relieve pain and other symptoms, and to help a person cope with the symptoms. The first type of treatment may involve: Physical therapy Exercise and fitness program Stress-relief methods, including light massage and relaxation techniques
The following conditions may be seen with fibromyalgia or mimic its symptoms: Chronic neck pain Chronic back pain Chronic fatigue syndrome Depression Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) Lyme disease Sleep disorders Pain in the main symptom of fibromyalgia may be mild to severe. Painful areas are called tender points. Tender points are found in the soft tissue on the back of the neck, shoulders, chest, lower back, hips, shins. elbows, and knees. The pain may feel like a deep ache, or a shooting, burning pain. People with fibromyalgia tend to wake up with aches and stiffness. Pain may get worse with activity, cold or damp weather, anxiety and stress. Fatigue, depressed mood, and sleep problems are seen in almost all patients with fibromyalgia. Many say that they can’t get to sleep or stay asleep, and they feel tired when they wake up. If you think your suffering from fibromyalgia please speak to your health provider for more information and treatment.
Sarcoidosis: Sarcoidosis is a disease in which inflammation occurs in the lymph nodes, lungs, liver, eyes, skin, or other tissues. The cause of the disease is unknown, In sarcoidosis, tiny clumps of abnormal tissue (granulomas) form in certain organs of the body. Granulomas are clusters of immune cells. The disease can affect almost any organ of the body, but most commonly affects the lungs. Possible causes of sarcoidosis include: Extreme immune response to infection High sensitivity to environmental factors Genetic factors The condition is more common in African Americans than Caucasians, especially in Caucasians of Scandinavian heritage. Females are usually affected more than males. The disease typically begins between ages 20 and 40. Scaroidosis is very rare in young children. A person with a close blood relative who has sarcoidosis is nearly five times as likely to develop the condition. Symptoms: There may be no symptoms, when symptoms occur, they can involve almost any body part or organ system in your
body. Almost all patients have lung or chest symptoms: Chest pain Dry mouth Shortness of breath Symptoms of general discomfort or uneasiness often occur: Fatigue Fever Joint achiness or pain Overall discomfort, illness or lack of well-being Weight loss Skin symptoms: Hair loss Raised, red, firm skin sores Rash Nervous symptoms may include: Headache Seizures Weakness on one side of the face Eye symptoms: Burning Itching Vision loss Other symptoms: Fainting spells if heart is involved Nosebleed Pain
LVAS Large Vestibular Aqueduct Syndrome Large vestibular aqueduct, also known as enlarged vestibular aqueduct syndrome, is a syndromic form of hearing loss, caused by enlargement of the vestibular aqueduct in the inner ear. It is one of the most common inner ear deformities which results in hearing loss during childhood. Although large vestibular aqueduct syndrome is a congenital condition, hearing loss may not be present from birth. Age of diagnosis ranges from infancy to adulthood, and symptoms include fluctuating and sometimes progressive sensorineural hearing loss and disequilibrium. The vestibular aqueduct is a tiny, bony canal that extends from the inner ear endolymphatic space toward the brain. It is shielded by one of the densest bones in the body, the temporal bone, which also houses the sound-sensing cochlea and motion-sensing vestibular organs vital to our ability to hear and maintain balance. Inside the vestibular aqueduct is the endolymphatic duct, a tube that connects the endolymph (a fluid) in the inner ear to the endolymphatic sac. The function of the endolymphatic duct and sac is not totally understood, but it is believed that they help maintain the volume and ionic composition of endolymph necessary for transmitting hearing and balance nerve signals to the brain.
When a vestibular aqueduct is larger than normal, it is known as a large vestibular aqueduct (LVA) or by the term used here, enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA). Hearing loss or balance symptoms associated with an EVA can occur when the endolymphatic duct and sac expand to fill the larger space (see Figure). When EVA is associated with such symptoms, it is referred to as EVA syndrome (EVAS). During fetal development, the vestibular aqueduct starts out as a wide tube. By the fifth week it narrows, and by midterm it approaches adult dimension and shape; however, the vestibular aqueduct continues to grow and change until a child is 3 to 4 years old. As yet incompletely understood genetic or environmental conditions cause EVA, which is often congenital (present at birth) or occurs during early childhood. Vestibular symptoms sometimes related to EVAS include episodic spinning vertigo, mild unsteadiness, trouble watching revolving objects, a feeling of vague instability, rocking sensations, jumping vision, decreased visual acuity in the presence of loud sounds, instability when leaning forward, vomiting, nausea, and drunken gait. A young child may also grab his or her head and walk in circles. The symptoms of vestibular disorders are notoriously difficult for children and adults to describe; for children, the task is even more challenging. Unless well trained in recognizing vestibular disorders, a physician may not ask the questions necessary to discover them.
Chronic Migraines Migraine is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent moderate to severe headaches often in association with a number of autonomic nervous system symptoms. Typically the headache is unilateral (affecting one half of the head) and pulsating in nature, lasting from 2 to 72 hours. Associated symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, photophobia (increased sensitivity to light), phonophobia (increased sensitivity to sound) and the pain is generally aggravated by physical activity.[3] Up to one-third of people with migraine headaches perceive an aura: a transient visual, sensory, language, or motor disturbance which signals that the headache will soon occur.[3] Occasionally an aura can occur with little or no headache following it. Migraines are believed to be due to a mixture of environmental and genetic factors. Migraines typically present with self-limited, recurrent severe headache associated with autonomic symptoms.[5][9] About 15-30% of people with migraines experience migraines with an aura[10][11] and those who have migraines with aura also frequently have migraines without aura.[12] The severity of the pain, duration of the headache, and frequency of attacks is variable.[5] A migraine lasting longer than 72 hours is termed status migrainosus.[13] There are four possible phases to a migraine, although not all the phases are necessarily experienced:[3] The prodrome, which occurs hours or days before the headache The aura, which immediately precedes the headache The pain phase, also known as headache phase The postdrome, the effects experienced following the end of a migraine attack Prodrome phase: Prodromal or premonitory symptoms occur in ~60% of those with migraines with an onset of two hours to two days before the start of pain or the aura Aura phase: An aura is a transient focal neurological phenomenon that occurs before or during the headache.
Pain phase: Classically the headache is unilateral, throbbing, and moderate to severe in intensity.[19] It usually comes on gradually[19] and is aggravated by physical activity.[3] In more than 40% of cases however the pain may be bilateral, and neck pain is commonly associated. Postdrome: The effects of migraine may persist for some days after the main headache has ended; this is called the migraine postdrome. Cause: The underlying causes of migraines are unknown
TN( Trigeminal Neuralgia Trigeminal neuralgia (TN, or TGN), also known as prosopalgia,[1] suicide disease,[2] or Fothergill's disease[3] is a neuropathic disorder characterized by episodes of intense pain in the face, originating from the trigeminal nerve. The clinical association between TN and hemifacial spasm is the so-called tic douloureux.[4] It has been described as among the most painful conditions known to mankind.[5] It is estimated that 1 in 15,000 or 20,000 people suffer from TN, although the actual figure may be significantly higher due to frequent misdiagnosis. In a majority of cases, TN symptoms begin appearing more frequently over the age of 50, although there have been cases with patients being as young as three years of age. It is more common in females than males. The trigeminal nerve is a paired cranial nerve that has three major branches: the ophthalmic nerve (V1), the maxillary nerve (V2), and the mandibular nerve (V3). One, two, or all three branches of the nerve may be affected. 1012% of cases are bilateral (occurring on both the left and right sides of the face). Trigeminal neuralgia most commonly involves the middle branch (the maxillary nerve or V2) and lower branch (mandibular nerve or V3) of the trigeminal nerve,[7] but the pain may be felt in the ear, eye, lips, nose, scalp, forehead, cheeks, teeth, or jaw and side of the face. The trigeminal nerve is a paired cranial nerve that has three major branches: the ophthalmic nerve (V1), the maxillary nerve (V2), and the mandibular nerve. Signs and symptoms: This disorder is characterized by episodes of intense facial pain that last from a few seconds to several minutes or hours. Causes: The trigeminal nerve is a mixed cranial nerve responsible for sensory data such as tactition (pressure), thermoception (temperature), and nociception (pain) originating from the face above the jawline; it is also responsible for the motor function of the muscles of mastication, the muscles involved in chewing but not facial expression.
Multiple Sclerosis: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) affects women more than men. The disorder is most common diagnosed between ages 20 and 40, but can be seen at any age. MS is caused by damage to the myelin sheath, the protective covering that surrounds nerve cells. When this nerve covering is damaged, nerve signals slow down or stop. The nerve damage is caused by inflammation, inflammation occurs when the body’s own immune cells attack the nervous system. This can occur along any area of the brain, optic nerve, and spinal cord. You are slightly more likely to get this condition if you have a family history of MS or live in a part of the world where MS is more common. Symptoms: Symptoms vary, because the location and severity of each attack can be different. Episodes can last for days, weeks, or months. These episodes alternate with periods of reduced or no symptoms (remissions). Fever, hot baths, sun exposure and stress can trigger or worsen attacks It is common for the disease to return ( relapse) However, the may continue to get worse without periods of remission. Because nerves in any part of the brain or spinal cord may be damaged, patients with multiple sclerosis can have symptoms in many parts of the body. Muscles symptoms: Loss of balance Muscle spasms Numbness or abnormal sensation in any area Problems moving arms or legs
Problems walking Problems with coordination and making small movements Tremor in one or more arms and legs Bowel and bladder symptoms: Constipation and stool leakage Difficulty beginning to urinate Frequent need to urinate Urine leakage (incontinence) Eye symptoms: Double vision Eye discomfort Vision loss Numbness, tingling, or pain Facial pain Other symptoms: Painful muscle spasms Tingling, crawling, or burning feeling in the arms and legs Other brain and nerve symptoms: Decreased attention span, poor judgment, and memory loss Depression Dizziness and balance problems Speech problems Trouble chewing and swallowing slurred or difficult to understand speech
CANCER: Cancer:
Cancer grows out of normal cells in the body. Normal cells multiply when the body needs them, and die when the body doesn’t need them. Cancer appears to occur when the growth of cells in the body is out of control and cells divide too quickly. It can also occur when cells forget how to die. There are many different kinds of cancers. Cancer can develop in almost any organ or tissue, such as the lung, colon, breast, skin, bones, or nerve tissue. There are many causes of cancer including: Benzene and other chemicals Drinking excess alcohol Environmental toxins Excessive sunlight exposure Genetic problems However the cause of many cancers remain unknown. The three most common cancers in men in the United States are: Prostate cancer Lung cancer Colon cancer In women in the United States most common cancers are: Breast cancer Colon Cancer Lung cancer Some other cancers include: Brain cancer Cervical cancer Kidney cancer Leukemia Liver cancer Ovarian cancer Skin cancer Testicular cancer Thyroid cancer Uterine cancer Some cancers may not have any symptoms at all. 2
POEM POSTERS
Chronic Pain: Chronic pain is a pain that lasted for a long time. In medicine, the distinction between acute and chronic pain has traditionally been determined by an arbitrary interval of time since onset. A popular alternative definition of chronic pain, involving arbitrarily fixed durations is “ pain that extends beyond the expected period of healing.” Chronic pain may be divided into “nociceptive” (caused by activation of nociceptors) and “neuropathic” (caused by damage to or malfunction of the nervous system). Nociceptive pain may be divided into “superficial” and “deep”. And pain into “deep somatic” and “visceral” Superficial pain is initiated by stimulation of activation of nociceptors in the skin or superficial tissues. Deep somatic pain initiated by stimulation of nociceptors in ligaments, tendons, bones, blood vessels, faciae and muscles, and is dull, aching, poorly-localized pain. Peripheral neuropathic pain is often described as “burning” “tingling”, “electrical”, “stabbing” or “pins and needles” Associated with chronic pain: Back pain
Cancer Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Clinical depression Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Fibromyalgia Headache Interstitial Cystitis Irritable Bowel Syndrome Restless Leg Syndrome Sciatica Lumbar spinal stenosis Cervical spinal stenosis
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POSTERS
Anxiety Disorders: Anxiety disorder is a blanket term covering several different forms of a type of mental illness of abnormal and pathological fear and anxiety. The term anxiety covers four aspects of experiences an individual may have: mental apprehension, physical tension, physical symptoms and dissociative anxiety. Generalized anxiety disorder: (GAD) is a common chronic disorder characterized by long lasting anxiety that is not focused on any one object or situation. Panic disorder a person suffers from brief attacks of intense terror and apprehension, often marked by trembling, shaking, confusion, dizziness, nausea, difficulty breathing. In addition to recurrent unexpected panic attacks, a diagnosis of panic disorder requires that attacks have chronic consequences. Panic disorder with agoraphobia: A person experiences an unexpected panic attack, has substantial anxiety over the possibility of having another attack. Agoraphobia: Agoraphobia is the specific anxiety about being in a place or situation where escape is difficult or embarrassing or where help may be unavailable Social anxiety disorder: Social anxiety disorder (SAD) (also known as social phobia) describes an intense fear and avoidance of negative public scrutiny, public embarrassment, humiliation, or social interaction
Obsessive-compulsive disorder: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a type of anxiety disorder primarily characterized by repetitive obsessions (distressing, persistent, and intrusive thoughts or images) and compulsions ( urges to perform specific acts or rituals) Post -traumatic stress disorder: Post –traumatic stress disorder is an anxiety disorder which results in from a traumatic experience, extreme situation, such as combat, natural disaster, rape, hostage situations, child abuse, bullying or even an accident, or after childbirth Separation anxiety disorder: Separation anxiety disorder is the feeling of excessive and inappropriate levels of anxiety over being separated from a person or place.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: The cause of RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis) is unknown. It is an autoimmune disease, which means the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. RA can occur at any age, but is more common in middle age. Women get RA more often than men. Infection, genes, and hormone changes may be linked to the disease. Symptoms: Ra usually affects joints on both sides of the body equally. Wrists, fingers, knees, feet, and ankles are the most commonly affected. The disease often begins slowly, usually with only minor joint pain, stiffness, and fatigue Joint symptoms may include: Morning stiffness Joint pain is often felt on the same joint Over time, joints may lose their range of motions and may become deformed Other symptoms include: Chest pain when taking a deep breath (pleurisy) Dry eyes and mouth (Sjogren syndrome) Eye burning, itching and discharge Nodules under skin (usually a sign of more severe disease
There is not a test that can determine for sure whether you have RA. Patients With RA have some abnormal test results. Two lab tests that often help in the diagnosis are: Rheumatoid factor test Anti-CCP antibody test Complete blood count C-reactive protein Erythrocyte sedimentation rate Joint ultrasound or MRI Joint x-rays Synovia; fluid analysis
Osteoarthritis (OA): Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disorder, which is due to aging and wear and tear on a joint. Cartilage is firm, rubbery tissue that cushions your bones at the joints, and allows the bones to glide over one another. Bony spurs or extra bones may form around the joint. The ligaments and muscles around the joint become weaker and stiffer. If the cartilage breaks down and wears away, the bones rub together. This causes pain, swelling, and stiffness. The symptoms of OA occur equally in women as in men. Almost everyone has some symptoms by age 70. Symptoms: Pain and stiffness in the joints are the most common symptoms. During the day, the pain may get worse when . you’re active and feel better when you are resting. Joint movement may cause a cracking (grating) sound, called crepitation Joint swelling (bones around the joints mat feel normal) OA cannot be cured. You can have surgery, or take certain medications such as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as (NSAIDS) types of NSAID’s are aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen. Other medications such as corticosteroid injections or artificial joint fluid ( Synvisc, Hyyalgan) can be injected into the joint. Braces can also help with the weak joint
Also when everything else doesn’t work there might be a need to have a partial or complete joint replacement, followed by physical therapy or you could try to change your lifestyle to make the joint better. Every person with OA is different. Contact your physician if your condition gets worse.