Diagnosing Rheumatoid Arthritis
For a variety of reasons diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis can be difficult to recognize in its early stages.
Primarily, this is due to the fact that there is no single test for this disease. Moreover, symptoms vary from person to person and can be more serious in others.
Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis
Additionally, symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis can be very much like those of the other types of arthritis and conditions of the joint; and it may possibly take time for these other conditions to be eliminated as part of the diagnosis.
Lastly, the whole range of symptoms tend to build up over time; with only few discernible symptoms being present in the early stages.
Because of this, doctors use a variety of the following tools for diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis and eliminating the other possible conditions:
Medical History -
Medical history is the patient’s history and family history of the symptoms and when, and how these symptoms initiated. A communication between the doctor and the patient is essential. For instance, the patient’s report of pain and joint functions; and how these aspects change over time is vital information for the doctor’s initial assessment of the disease and how it may alter over time.
Physical Assessment -
This assessment includes the doctor’s examination of the joints, muscle strength and skin impulses.
X- rays -
Are used to determine the degree of joint destruction. X-rays are not useful in the early stages of rheumatoid arthritis because the bone deterioration isn’t obvious; however, X-rays can still be use later to monitor the succession of the disease.
Laboratory tests -
Rheumatoid factor is the most common test for diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis. It is an antibody that is eventually present in the blood of most people with this disease. An antibody is a special protein that is made by the immune system that normally helps fight unknown substances in the body.
Treating and diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis entails a team effort involving the patient and several types of health care professionals. A Rheumatologist is a doctor who concentrates in arthritis and other diseases of the joints, muscles and bones and typically is the primary care physician for those suffering with arthritis.
It is important to note that patients who are well informed and participate actively in their own care generally feel less pain and make fewer visits to their specialists as opposed to those patients that are less proactive in their care and treatments of their rheumatoid arthritis.
Causes of rheumatoid arthritis
While there is still no well understood primary causes of rheumatoid arthritis, medicine has made many advances in the understanding of the best treatment of RA. Working closely with your health care providers will provide you with the best chance of properly controlling your condition.