In my STEAM Disease course, we focused on different diseases that are in our world today. Also we have looked at pass viruses, and illnesses. We were told to interview a family member or friend that had been diagnosed with a disease. We were able to pick our disease so I choose Rheumatoid Arthritis. I choose this because my grandmother has it, and it affects her in the worst ways. By learning more about the disease I can maybe help, and ease the pain.Now let me introduce my patient
My patients name is Tina, she is an older age woman that lives in Chicago, Illinois. Tina first started having symptoms at the age of 30 years old and began to have pain in her lower back and knees. At first her life was very physical. She would run, jump, go to parties and love dancing. But now because of the pain she can't as much as she use to. The disease that I'm studying is Rheumatoid arthritis. This disease appears in a unpredictable pattern in certain joints and can happen at random. Also excessive exercise can cause intense pain on the joints. Tina was a childcare taker for more than 35 years. So playing with children while always moving may have caused the start of this disease.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease that affects many parts of the body. It starts from an improper immune system that isn't properly working. It causes the joint linings to swell, which causes pain and stiffness in the joints. Effects of this is that you get tired more quickly than you used to, and began to have restless sleep. Rheumatoid arthritis most often starts in the small joints of the hands and feet. Also it causes major swelling. This disease is common, more than 200,000 are affected each year.
Now for Tina's case she has trouble standing and walking. Its very painful at times, and sometimes she uses a cane to walk. Some treatments Tina has sought out is taking medicines that reduce her pain levels. She has had Chiropractic adjustments, and has done light exercises. While interviewing Tina she said "the most effective in taking the pain away was the heavy medicines. " When I asked how come? She simply responded " I was drugged up the pain felt neutral and disappears. When hearing this I was kinda confused. How come chiropractic adjustments didn't help? While doing research I have also discovered that cannabis has potential in treating chronic pain and other symptoms. It lowers stress levels and relieves tension. Here our some key terms- of Arthritis/ Arthralgia, Inflammation, Arthropathy.
Now lets find out about the anatomy and physiology of this disease.
The main body system affected by this disease is the nervous system and Circulatory system. The nervous system is a system in our body that acts as a control center for actions in our body. While having Rheumatoid Arthritis some motor skills can deplete in efficiency causing problems from person to person. The Cardio-vascular system is affected by tension in the joints of the body and from muscles. The blood flow in your body becomes unbalanced, while your heart has to work even harder to keep you going.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic inflammatory disease mainly characterized by joint destruction. Although the impact of genetic factors is relative, the genetic basis is not sufficient to explain the triggering of the immune problems.
Etiology and risk factors of this disease?
Three factors: a relatively mild deficiency of cortisol, a deficiency of dehydro-epi-androsterone and infection by organisms such as mycoplasma. Doctors still don't know the actual cause. Risk factors of having this disease includes Obesity, increased risk of developing heart disease such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Epidemiology of the disease?
The exact cause of RA is unknown. The leading hypothesis is that RA is the result of an environmental exposure or trigger in a genetically susceptible individual. Some environmental factors related to women are at a higher risk than males.
Labeled picture of affected areas of the body
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J.L(2019) Anatomy of Female
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Cited Works
“Dr. Christopher L. Starks M.D., Urologist in Cleveland, OH, 44195.” FindATopDoc, www.findatopdoc.com/doctor/1422962-Christopher-Starks-urologist-New-Haven-CT-06510.
Fleischmann, Roy, et al. “Sarilumab and Nonbiologic Disease‐Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs in Patients With Active Rheumatoid Arthritis and Inadequate Response or Intolerance to Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors.” The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering, Wiley-Blackwell, 28 Jan. 2017, onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/art.39944.
“Rheumatoid Arthritis.” Rheumatology.org, www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Diseases-Conditions/Rheumatoid-Arthritis.
“Rheumatoid Arthritis: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and More.” Healthline, Healthline Media, www.healthline.com/health/rheumatoid-arthritis.
