Nervous or Musculoskeletal System
For this discussion, you may select a disease condition of either the nervous system covered OR the musculoskeletal system.
Using a reliable authority’s website such as the National Institute of Health, Centers for Disease Control, Mayo Clinic, WebMD, or subject matter expert websites such as the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, or another reputable online source for specific disease conditions. Select a disease related to either nervous or musculoskeletal systems that you would like to learn more about.
Document the disease condition you researched including:
- typical signs and symptoms associated with the condition
- common tests and procedures used to diagnose the condition
- new abbreviations, acronyms, or eponyms you encounter
- possible treatment methodologies for the condition
- website(s) you visited to help formulate your initial posting.
Rheumatoid Arthritis is a progressive, chronic and disabling autoimmune disease. Rheumatoid arthritis causes swelling, inflammation and pain around and inside joints and it can also affect others organs (Yvette, 2021). Signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include aching and pain in more than one joint, swelling and tenderness in more than one joint, stiffness, fever, weakness, tiredness and fatigue, weight loss, joint deformity, loss of mobility and function, unsteadiness while walking among others.
Rheumatoid arthritis is not easy to diagnose because most of conditions lead to joint inflammation and stiffness thus there is not definitive test which can be used. The common tests done are seeing a GP, joint scans, anti-CCP antibodies and Rheumatoid factor, and blood tests (NHS, 2019). In seeing A GP, it involves physical examination on checking the joints for swelling and how easy it is to move. After explanation to GP, they arrange for blood test which helps in confirming the diagnosis. Some of the blood tests which are done include C-reactive protein, full blood count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. The new abbreviations, acronyms and eponyms I have encountered include ESR, CRP, CCP and RA.
There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis but when diagnosis are done early, the appropriate treatment s administered enabling many individuals with the condition to get help. The main options for treatment include long term medicine used to relive the symptoms and slow the condition progress (Howard, 2022). Also, there is supportive treatments like physiotherapy and the occupational therapy which helps in keeping the patient mobile and helps in managing other problems which mighty arise on daily activities. The last treatment is surgery which is used to correct any joint problems that might have developed.
References
Howard, S. R. (2022, January 31). Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Treatment & Management. Retrieved from medscape.com: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/331715-treatment#:~:text=Optimal%20care%20of%20patients%20with,%2C%20physical%20therapy%2C%20and%20surgery.
NHS. (2019, August 28). Diagnosis; Rheumatoid arthritis. Retrieved from NHS.uk: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/diagnosis/#:~:text=Some%20of%20the%20main%20blood,can%20help%20measure%20inflammation%20levels
Yvette, B. (2021, November 11). What is RA? Symptoms, treatments, causes, and all else you need to know. Retrieved from Medical News Today: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323361#:~:text=Rheumatoid%20arthritis%20(RA)%20is%20a,can%20occur%20in%20any%20joint.