Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis

Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis or RA, as it's frequently referred to, is a condition in the joints that ranges from mild to extremely severe. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder which makes it very different from other types of arthritis. It's not due to your age or gender. RA is due to your body attacking itself. It attacks the lining in the joints and can result in excruciating pain in hands, knees and ankles. It results in a lot of pain and swollen joints.

There are three basic steps to diagnosis. The doctor will want your medical history, then a blood test and some X-rays of your joints to help diagnose the condition.

Understanding the Term 'Seronegative'



Seronegative is the medical term that is generically applied to any blood test when it comes back negative. It's not specifically related to rheumatoid arthritis. When diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis, a seronegative result means that your blood does not produce the antibodies (rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptides) that usually show up when people are tested for diseases such as Lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.

While a seronegative result normally means that RA is not present, doctors believe that people with this result could still have RA. However, RA in patients with a seronegative result is much harder to detect. The results could just mean the patient has a lower rheumatoid factor in their blood than patients who test positive for RA, which is referred to as seropositive.

Then What Does Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis Mean?
Seronegative rheumatoid arthritismay indicate that the patient has low level or undetectable levels of the rheumatoid factor. He may have a bone fracture or physical trauma in the first six months of diagnosis. About half of all RA patients are seronegative in the first six months of their illness. However, this level changes as the patient progresses and within 2 years they will no longer be testing negative.

Signs and Symptoms
There are a variety of symptoms that seronegative Rheumatism patients will display. They will complain of aches and pains and even inflammation in their joints. Their hips and knees will be the most affected. However, they may also have nodules which grow underneath of their skin. These will sometimes be visible on the body such as the knuckles.

Often, other areas of the body may also be affected. These areas may include the eyes and the lungs. Many patients also have dry mouth and dry eyes. This can lead to damage in the eyes and result in loss of vision.

The symptoms can be very challenging to fully diagnose and many patients will have a false negative in the early years of their condition. Doctors are always cautious when diagnosing Rheumatoid arthritis. If the doctor is unsure, he or she will want to take their time and make sure that they are getting an accurate diagnosis.

If It Isn't Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis, What Could It Be?
When someone has Rheumatoid arthritis and they have a negative or seronegative result, they are always monitored more closely. Doctors used to believe that seronegative arthritis was a type of RA but now they believe otherwise.

There are 7 basic criteria for diagnosing Rheumatoid arthritis. Only one of these 7 criteria is a titer of RF. One in seven patients will not have any detectable levels of RF and they will be termed "seronegative".

There are over 100 types of arthritis. All of these can have symptoms that overlap. A few of the more common forms of seronegative arthritis include Osteoarthritis, bacterial Endocarditis, Reactive Arthritis and septic arthritis. Less common types include juvenile onset and adult onset forms of idiopathic arthritis as well as some brought about by bacteria such as Rheumatic fever or Lyme arthritis.

To sum it up, seronegative rheumatoid arthritis means that the person doesn't have any of the significant levels of the rheumatoid factor. However, they may still have a form of the condition and it may just be less aggressive. They may at a later date develop the condition in full.

Spondylarthropathy
With so many symptoms, they may even have another form of arthritis. Experts have classified many different conditions that are very similar to arthritis but have a seronegative factor. One of these is Spondylarthropathy.It may also be referred to as seronegative rheumatoid arthritis, seronegative spondylarthropathy, or BASE syndrome. A lot of the disorders falling under the heading of spondylarthropathy were at one point in time thought to be variants of RA.

These include such conditions as:

• reactive arthritis


• ankylosing spondylitis


• Psoriatic Arthritis


• enteropathic arthritis


• Whipple’s disease

These disorders are unique in that they do share a common root. They are also all inflammatory, autoimmune conditions that cause arthritis in various parts of the body.

Difference Between Rheumatoid Arthritis and Spondylarthropathy
While all of these conditions might have arthritis in common, there are also some huge differences between rheumatoid arthritis and spondylarthropathy.

These are that spondylarthropathy is much more commonly found in men. And, that spondylarthropathy conditions frequently include complications besides arthritis, such as:

• Psoriasis


• eye diseases


• inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)


• Canker Sores


• urethritis

Rheumatoid arthritis as well as spondylarthropathy may also be different in how they are presented in the body. Rheumatoid arthritis happens in the joints on both sides of your body. In spondylarthropathy, however, it's experienced asymmetrically. It also happens more in feet and ankles and not just the joints. It may also flare in the spine as well as tendons that are attached to bones.

How Can It Be Treated?
Sadly, there is no cure for either seronegative rheumatoid arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. It is important to note, however, that even though there isn't a cure, there are treatments like the following that can offer some relief:

• antibiotics for eye infections


• painkillers


• topical creams for psoriasis


• dietary changes for inflammatory bowel disorders (IBDs)

If you are struggling with joint pain and think you may have arthritis, you have many options. Give your doctor a call and find out what you can do for your pain relief.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Diet

Rheumatoid Arthritis Diet Different groups are divided on the best foods for the purpose of managing Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). On one side, different studies suggest that eating a balanced diet helps in the management of RA symptoms as well as the general health of the patient. On the other hand, The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease (NIAMS) differ with these results. NIAMS suggests that consumption of just enough calories, proteins and calcium nutrients is the best way to manage RA. Despite the difference of opinion on this issue, there is no perfect rheumatoid arthritis diet that could work for all RA patients.

In any case, every individual is different in his or her own way. Following this guideline on what to eat and avoid in RA management as you determine the best diet for you. However, do not make huge changes to your diet without some advice from your doctor.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Diet: Foods to Eat
1. Mediterranean-Style Diet


Mediterranean-style food includes plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. These foods have two main components: antioxidants and phytonutrients. These components are quite beneficial to RA patients. Mediterranean-style foods also include the use of olive oil and nuts which have unsaturated fats. This type of fats is healthy and ensures patient’s cholesterol levels is at a healthy level and hence reduces the chances of suffering from a cardiovascular disease. In addition, this diet for rheumatoid arthritis enhances slimming. With reduced weight, RA patients’ joints suffer from lesser strain.

2. Omega-3s


Fatty acids that contain omega-3s have always been praised because of heart related benefits. Omega-3s are also some of the anti-inflammatory foods for arthritis. They have evidently reduced stiffness of joints and pain due to arthritis. Omega-3s can be found in either of two sources. Fish that live in cold water are the first known sources of the fatty acids. These fishes include salmon, herring and tuna. Secondly, this type of nutrients can be found in flaxseed, walnuts, as well as tofu. However, you should not presume that fish oil supplements will provide these benefits. Actually, they might lead to unwanted negative effects for interacting with RA drugs.

3. Antioxidants


Another good food for rheumatoid arthritis diet is antioxidants. By including antioxidants in a diet, an RA patient gains three main advantages: damage of free radicals, reduction of inflammation, and relieve of pain. Good examples of antioxidants are vitamins such as A, C and E, and mineral selenium. Foods rich in these nutrients include fruits, nuts, green tea, as well as fresh vegetables.

3. Fiber

Inflammation levels are measured in terms of C-reactive proteins (CRP) within a person’s blood. Foods with high quantities of fibre reduce CRP and hence reduce inflammation. You should consume more fibre by eating foods such as strawberries (frozen or fresh), fresh vegetables, and whole grains.

4. Flavonoids

Flavonoids should be included as part of a diet for rheumatoid arthritis because of their advantages. They reduce inflammation, pain due to RA and swelling. Only plants can naturally produce flavonoids. Therefore, for you to add them to your system, you should consume foods such as berries, grapes, and broccoli. If you love chocolate, then you are also adding flavonoids into your diet especially when eating the dark ones.

5. Spices

Spices that contain either curcumin or capsaicin compounds are very helpful in reducing inflammation. Cucurmin can be found in spices such as turmeric and ginger. On the other hand, capsaicin can be found in chilli peppers. It not only reduces inflammation but also effectively reduces pain.

6. The Paleo Diet

Paleo diet involves consumption of foods believed to have been consumed by the early man. These foods usually include meat, vegetables and fruits. However, the diet does not involve consumption of grains, sugary foods, dairy products or any processed food product. The advantage of this diet is that it contains high levels of proteins and low levels of carbohydrates. Paleo is considered a rheumatoid arthritis diet because it reduces inflammation. Unfortunately, foods such as red meat can worsen RA’s condition. Therefore, it is important to discuss with a doctor prior to the start of using Paleo diet.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Diet: Foods to Avoid
1. Dairy

Some patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis react negatively to dairy products’ proteins. These patients produce antibodies with the presumption that these proteins are harmful to the body. Unfortunately, these antibodies do not attack just the dairy product’s proteins and they might attack other parts of the body, which worsens RA symptoms. In order to reduce this risk, consume dairy alternatives such as soy and almond milk.

2. Meat

As you try to manage RA, you should reduce the amount of meat you consume. The reasons for this reduction are twofold. One, meat consumption adds more fats and calories into the body and this is quite unhealthy. Two, fats from meat are broken down into chemicals that favour inflammation. Doctors advise patients suffering from RA to avoid including plant sources of proteins in his rheumatoid arthritis diet. These sources of proteins include beans and soy.

3. Gluten

Gluten is a type of protein. It can be found in wheat or similar grains, which make dough chewy. This protein also triggers a disease called celiac, which is quite common in RA patients. A person suffering from celiac should not consume gluten. Otherwise he will suffer from a small intestinal reaction leading to bloating and diarrhoea. Moreover, this protein could also lead to inflammation of joints for a person suffering from celiac. A study has also found that RA patients had their condition improve significantly for eating gluten-free diets.

4. Coffee or Other Caffeinated Beverages

Millions of Americans consume coffee on a daily basis, drinking an average of three cups every day. Studies on effects of coffee on RA are not only conflicting but also inconclusive. However, it is better to be safe than sorry. One study found out that coffee leads to a subtype of RA called anti-CCP positive RA. Therefore, it is safe to avoid drinking of coffee rather than to regret later.

5. Sugar

One doctor gave an analogy for high consumption of sugars. He likened it to having excessive rain in a small pond; the flood would definitely damage the pond’s surroundings. In the body, sugars have three disadvantages: increasing acidity levels, increasing high Blood Pressure chances, and favouring inflammation. In addition, high sugar levels inhibit the normal functionality of white blood cells, lowering a person’s immunity level. In order to be safe from these risks, reduce consumption of refined sugars. You can use alternatives such as honey.

In order to learn more ways of how to manage rheumatoid arthritis, watch avideo:

Natural Remedies for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Natural Remedies for Rheumatoid Arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis is the inflammation of the membranes that protects the joints from sudden pressure and injury due to autoimmune activation of the immune cells. Although drugs are available that may control the symptoms like serious pain, swelling and even loss of bone, but most of these pharmacological preparations are associated with a number of side effects that may range from nausea to anemia and liver diseases. Unfortunately, so far there is no curative treatment that may resolve the disturbing symptoms of Joint inflammation. Though alternative medicine cannot replace the pharmacological preparations, it may help to reduce the dosage of the drugs to minimize the risk of complications. So what could be the natural remedies for rheumatoid arthritis?

Natural Remedies for Rheumatoid Arthritis
1. Take Supplements


It is alwaysadvised to acquire nutrients from the dietary sources, but there are certain supplements that may change the outcome and frequency of RA attacks. Before adding any of such supplements to your diet, make sure to consult your primary doctor, because there are a few supplements that don’t mix well with certain combination of medicines. A few popular ones are:

• Folic acid, a B vitamin which is responsible for the production of red blood cells. If you’re taking methotrexate, you will be suggested to take folic acid to reduce the side effects of the drug.


• Corticosteroids like prednisone may cause bone-loss.If you are taking steroids to minimize the frequency of inflammatory attacks, you should consider calcium and vitamin D supplements to maintain healthy metabolism of bones. Consult your doctor to know how much you actually require.


• In some people with RA, fish oil and gamma-linoleic acid minimize the need of painkillers. It is also available commercially as evening primrose oil, borage seed oil or black currant.

2. Use Heat or Cold


Heat and cold treatments are suggested by many doctors to decrease the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. A hot compress can stimulate blood and relax the muscles. A cool compress or an ice pack may be used on the affected area during an RA flare-up to reduce the swelling and pain. Cold fermentation also decreases the inflammation and pain in the joints.

• You should not do this treatment excessively. There should be at least a gap of 30 minutes after a 15 minute treatment.


• A warm damp towel or wet heating pad may be used effectively for heat therapy. Microwavable hot packs are also preferred by some people. However, make sure to take ample caution to prevent skin burns.


• Standing in hot water shower may also be used as a source of heat therapy by letting warm water flow over the achy inflamed parts of your body. This may also help reduce the intensity of pain and inflammatory swelling.


• Sitting in a hot tub is an effective way to relax muscles. (Note: Avoid using spas or hot tubs if you are suffering from moderate Hypertension, cardiovascular illnesses or if you are pregnant).

3. Perform Exercise
Some types of exercises are proved safe for the patients of RA. The types of exercise that can be performed by people with RA are stretching, strengthening and conditioning.

• Stretching is the simplest type of exercise. Regular stretching is the basis of any kind of exercise to be performed that aims at improving the stability and flexibility of the joints. It involves lengthening of muscle fibers by holding and stretching of joints or muscles and holding the position for a few seconds to a couple of minutes.


• Strength exercises increase the muscles' endurance and power due to healthy exposure to resistance. This may involve training with weight or other methods of increasing muscle tension. By these exercises, the amount of pain-free work increases which eventually increases the strength of soft tissues and the muscles in long run.


• Conditioning exercises (also popularly referred to as aerobic exercises) are extremely popular in RA patients as well as patients suffering from other forms of arthritis. It also helps in improving the cardiovascular functions. There are uncountable benefits of these exercises, such as besides improving the health of heart and blood vessels, conditioning training also protects the individuals from disability and also improves the mood. Good conditioning exercises for RA patient incudes walking, bicycling, swimming, yoga etc.

Watch the video to get some tips on safe exercise for RA:

4. Try Acupuncture


Acupuncture is an effective ancient eastern way that stimulates certain pressure points of the body. In this form of alternative care, an experienced practitioner introduce needles at certain pressure points for a few minutes to a few hours. The aim of acupuncture therapy is to promote the flow or balance of qi or life force, throughout the body.

The supporters say that the acupuncture causes the body to secrete hormones like endorphins, which make the body feel good; thereby also reducing the intensity and severity of pain. While disbelievers say that the benefits are only because of the placebo effect of needle piercing. There are a very few studies that say that acupuncture is useful for RA. There are no side effects of acupuncture unless you have a fear of needles or the procedure.

5. Take Massage


The massage may be beneficial depending on the intensity of the pain. It has been observed that carefully applied massage is fairly effective at relieving the muscular tension, releasing the joint Stress and making you feel better and relaxed. It is imperative to keep in mind that massage efficacy varies depending upon different individuals, intensity of RA flare and severity of symptoms. Before making an appointment with a registered therapist, make sure that your therapist has prior experience of handling patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

6. Relax Yourself


Try to get adequate and restful sleep (at least 8 hours) every night. Additionally, you can also treat yourself to a 2 hour nap in the afternoon if you don’t get enough sleep at night. Certain people with RA need more frequent napping (especially during flares). Deep breathing and relaxation exercises may help release the stress and help you in relaxing. Tension may be released by meditation also.

7. Be Smart on Diet


Studies show that the food eaten affects the inflammatory responses and reactions within the body by influencing biochemical environment of the body. Experts believe that intake of processed foods is associated with aggravation of inflammation that may lead to frequent flaring. The diet rich in veggies, spices, olive oil, healthy portions of whole grains, fresh organic fruits, wild-caught fish, organic beans, natural herbs and tea may exert excellent effects on the health of patients living with RA and other inflammatory diseases. Red meat, processed flour, excessively high quantities of sugar and saturated fats are not recommended if you have RA. Eating too much also causes inflammation as fats cells churn out different inflammatory chemicals that makes RA even worse.

Watch this video for dietary advices if you or your loved ones are living with RA:

Natural Remedies for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Natural Remedies for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis is the inflammation of the membranes that protects the joints from sudden pressure and injury due to autoimmune activation of the immune cells. Although drugs are available that may control the symptoms like serious pain, swelling and even loss of bone, but most of these pharmacological preparations are associated with a number of side effects that may range from nausea to anemia and liver diseases. Unfortunately, so far there is no curative treatment that may resolve the disturbing symptoms of Joint Inflammation. Though alternative medicine cannot replace the pharmacological preparations, it may help to reduce the dosage of the drugs to minimize the risk of complications. So what could be the natural remedies for rheumatoid arthritis?

Natural Remedies for Rheumatoid Arthritis
1. Take Supplements


It is alwaysadvised to acquire nutrients from the dietary sources, but there are certain supplements that may change the outcome and frequency of RA attacks. Before adding any of such supplements to your diet, make sure to consult your primary doctor, because there are a few supplements that don’t mix well with certain combination of medicines. A few popular ones are:

• Folic acid, a B vitamin which is responsible for the production of red blood cells. If you’re taking methotrexate, you will be suggested to take folic acid to reduce the side effects of the drug.


• Corticosteroids like prednisone may cause bone-loss.If you are taking steroids to minimize the frequency of inflammatory attacks, you should consider calcium and vitamin D supplements to maintain healthy metabolism of bones. Consult your doctor to know how much you actually require.


• In some people with RA, fish oil and gamma-linoleic acid minimize the need of painkillers. It is also available commercially as evening primrose oil, borage seed oil or black currant.

2. Use Heat or Cold


Heat and cold treatments are suggested by many doctors to decrease the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. A hot compress can stimulate blood and relax the muscles. A cool compress or an ice pack may be used on the affected area during an RA flare-up to reduce the swelling and pain. Cold fermentation also decreases the inflammation and pain in the joints.

• You should not do this treatment excessively. There should be at least a gap of 30 minutes after a 15 minute treatment.


• A warm damp towel or wet heating pad may be used effectively for heat therapy. Microwavable hot packs are also preferred by some people. However, make sure to take ample caution to prevent skin burns.


• Standing in hot water shower may also be used as a source of heat therapy by letting warm water flow over the achy inflamed parts of your body. This may also help reduce the intensity of pain and inflammatory swelling.


• Sitting in a hot tub is an effective way to relax muscles. (Note: Avoid using spas or hot tubs if you are suffering from moderate Hypertension, cardiovascular illnesses or if you are pregnant).

3. Perform Exercise
Some types of exercises are proved safe for the patients of RA. The types of exercise that can be performed by people with RA are stretching, strengthening and conditioning.

• Stretching is the simplest type of exercise. Regular stretching is the basis of any kind of exercise to be performed that aims at improving the stability and flexibility of the joints. It involves lengthening of muscle fibers by holding and stretching of joints or muscles and holding the position for a few seconds to a couple of minutes.


• Strength exercises increase the muscles' endurance and power due to healthy exposure to resistance. This may involve training with weight or other methods of increasing muscle tension. By these exercises, the amount of pain-free work increases which eventually increases the strength of soft tissues and the muscles in long run.


• Conditioning exercises (also popularly referred to as aerobic exercises) are extremely popular in RA patients as well as patients suffering from other forms of arthritis. It also helps in improving the cardiovascular functions. There are uncountable benefits of these exercises, such as besides improving the health of heart and blood vessels, conditioning training also protects the individuals from disability and also improves the mood. Good conditioning exercises for RA patient incudes walking, bicycling, swimming, yoga etc.

Watch the video to get some tips on safe exercise for RA:

4. Try Acupuncture


Acupuncture is an effective ancient eastern way that stimulates certain pressure points of the body. In this form of alternative care, an experienced practitioner introduce needles at certain pressure points for a few minutes to a few hours. The aim of acupuncture therapy is to promote the flow or balance of qi or life force, throughout the body.

The supporters say that the acupuncture causes the body to secrete hormones like endorphins, which make the body feel good; thereby also reducing the intensity and severity of pain. While disbelievers say that the benefits are only because of the placebo effect of needle piercing. There are a very few studies that say that acupuncture is useful for RA. There are no side effects of acupuncture unless you have a fear of needles or the procedure.

5. Take Massage


The massage may be beneficial depending on the intensity of the pain. It has been observed that carefully applied massage is fairly effective at relieving the muscular tension, releasing the joint Stress and making you feel better and relaxed. It is imperative to keep in mind that massage efficacy varies depending upon different individuals, intensity of RA flare and severity of symptoms. Before making an appointment with a registered therapist, make sure that your therapist has prior experience of handling patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

6. Relax Yourself


Try to get adequate and restful sleep (at least 8 hours) every night. Additionally, you can also treat yourself to a 2 hour nap in the afternoon if you don’t get enough sleep at night. Certain people with RA need more frequent napping (especially during flares). Deep breathing and relaxation exercises may help release the stress and help you in relaxing. Tension may be released by meditation also.

7. Be Smart on Diet


Studies show that the food eaten affects the inflammatory responses and reactions within the body by influencing biochemical environment of the body. Experts believe that intake of processed foods is associated with aggravation of inflammation that may lead to frequent flaring. The diet rich in veggies, spices, olive oil, healthy portions of whole grains, fresh organic fruits, wild-caught fish, organic beans, natural herbs and tea may exert excellent effects on the health of patients living with RA and other inflammatory diseases. Red meat, processed flour, excessively high quantities of sugar and saturated fats are not recommended if you have RA. Eating too much also causes inflammation as fats cells churn out different inflammatory chemicals that makes RA even worse.

Watch this video for dietary advices if you or your loved ones are living with RA:

Seropositive Rheumatoid Arthritis

Seropositive Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis or RA is an autoimmune disorder that is caused by body's immune system attacking the lining of the small joints of hands and feet, resulting in painful swelling. In a long term, bone abrasion and joint impairment can occur. In contrast to Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis is not due to the mechanical wear-and-tear of the joints, but due to chronic inflammation of the lining of the joints. Apart from joints, rheumatoid arthritis also affects eyes, lungs, skin and blood vessels. Seropositive rheumatoid arthritis is one result of RA test. Let's get close and know more.

What Does a Seropositive Result Mean in Rheumatoid Arthritis Test?
Being seropositive in rheumatoid arthritis test means that your blood tests shows traces of 2 protein: rheumatoid factor (RF) or anti-CCP.

These proteins are indicative of the presence of rheumatoid arthritis in the body. Although havingseropositive rheumatoid arthritis does not definitely confirm that you have rheumatoid arthritis; however, it does provide significant proof to do more investigatory tests which focus more on finding inflammation around joints and the extent of bone damage and other extra-articular features using X-rays.

Being seropositive for RF is not exclusive to rheumatoid arthritis

because it is found in 10% of the healthy population and may also be found in individuals suffering from Sjögren's syndrome, Hepatitis C, systemic Lupus Erythematosus and various chronic infections. However, seropositive patients are more liable to develop serious illnesses and have extra-articular problems as compared to seronegative persons.

What Alternative Tests Are Available to Diagnose RA?
Test for anti-CPP has a high specificity of 95% because they're rarely positive in the absence of RF. Another similar test is anti-MCV (mutated citrullinated Vimentin) test. Another test that combines anti-MCV and RF is point-of-care-test (POCT) which holds a sensitivity of 72% and a specificity of 99.7%.

What to Do If You Have Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease that is more common in women and can occur in any age. It leads to joint damage.

1. Medication
If you get a test result of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis, which further confirmed by follow-up tests, you should take the following medications to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

• NSAids decrease inflammation and relieve pain. NSAIDs include Ibuprofen e.g. Advil, Motrin IB, Naproxen sodium e.g. Aleve. Doctor may prescribe stronger NSAIDs. Side effects include irritation of the stomach lining, liver and kidney damage.


• Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, fight inflammation and delay joint damage. Doctors prescribe corticosteroids to manage acute symptoms and reduce the doses as the symptoms subside. Side effects include weight gain, Diabetes and thinning of bones.


• DMARDs (Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs) can delay the progression of rheumatoid arthritis and impede permanent damage, which include methotrexate (Texal), hydroxychloroquine (Plequelin) and leflunomide (Arava). Side effects include liver damage, lung infections and bone marrow suppression.


• Biological agents, also called biologic response modifiers, are new DMARDs, including abatacept (Orencia), etanercept (Enbrel) and tofacitinib (Xeljanz). It works on the inflammation-triggering immune system to treat joint and tissue damage. It works better when combined with nonbiologic DMARDs. Side effects include increased risk of infection.

2. Therapy
A therapist can help seropositive rheumatoid arthritis patients by teaching them different ways of doing everyday tasks which are easier on the joints, demonstrating daily exercises that make the joints more flexible and introducing assistive devices to patients to reduce the Stress put on the joints while performing mediocre tasks. Customized tools like kitchen knife with a saw handle and buttonhooks can make such tasks easier.

3. Surgery
Corrective surgeries for damaged and deformed joints may be advised to reduce the pain and increase joint functionality. The following procedures are used in rheumatoid arthritis surgery:

• Complete joint replacement surgery: The surgeon replaces all irreversibly damaged joint parts with new metallic and plastic prosthetics.


• Tendon repair: Tendons may lose elasticity or tear due to damaged and inflamed joints. The surgeon reconstructs torn tendons.


• Joint fusion: If joint replacement is not an option, the surgeon may combine and readjust joint parts to relieve pain.

With every surgery there’s a risk of bleeding out, infection and post-op pain.

4. Home care
With a seropositive rheumatoid arthritis result and further confirmed RA tests, you should take certain self-care steps at home to better manage the condition:

• Exercising on a daily basis can restore the muscles attached to joints. It helps patients fight tiredness. Consulting your doctor before exercising is recommended. It is advised not to exercise inflamed or aching joints.


• Applying heat or cold to the affected joints can help as well. Heat relaxes tensed and aching muscles whereas cold soothes and numbs the sensation of pain.


• Meditating and trying to relax by techniques such as guided imagery can help patients manage pain better.

Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis

Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis or RA, as it's frequently referred to, is a condition in the joints that ranges from mild to extremely severe. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder which makes it very different from other types of arthritis. It's not due to your age or gender. RA is due to your body attacking itself. It attacks the lining in the joints and can result in excruciating pain in hands, knees and ankles. It results in a lot of pain and swollen joints.

There are three basic steps to diagnosis. The doctor will want your medical history, then a blood test and some X-rays of your joints to help diagnose the condition.

Understanding the Term 'Seronegative'



Seronegative is the medical term that is generically applied to any blood test when it comes back negative. It's not specifically related to rheumatoid arthritis. When diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis, a seronegative result means that your blood does not produce the antibodies (rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptides) that usually show up when people are tested for diseases such as Lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.

While a seronegative result normally means that RA is not present, doctors believe that people with this result could still have RA. However, RA in patients with a seronegative result is much harder to detect. The results could just mean the patient has a lower rheumatoid factor in their blood than patients who test positive for RA, which is referred to as seropositive.

Then What Does Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis Mean?
Seronegative rheumatoid arthritismay indicate that the patient has low level or undetectable levels of the rheumatoid factor. He may have a bone fracture or physical trauma in the first six months of diagnosis. About half of all RA patients are seronegative in the first six months of their illness. However, this level changes as the patient progresses and within 2 years they will no longer be testing negative.

Signs and Symptoms
There are a variety of symptoms that seronegative Rheumatism patients will display. They will complain of aches and pains and even inflammation in their joints. Their hips and knees will be the most affected. However, they may also have nodules which grow underneath of their skin. These will sometimes be visible on the body such as the knuckles.

Often, other areas of the body may also be affected. These areas may include the eyes and the lungs. Many patients also have dry mouth and dry eyes. This can lead to damage in the eyes and result in loss of vision.

The symptoms can be very challenging to fully diagnose and many patients will have a false negative in the early years of their condition. Doctors are always cautious when diagnosing Rheumatoid arthritis. If the doctor is unsure, he or she will want to take their time and make sure that they are getting an accurate diagnosis.

If It Isn't Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis, What Could It Be?
When someone has Rheumatoid arthritis and they have a negative or seronegative result, they are always monitored more closely. Doctors used to believe that seronegative arthritis was a type of RA but now they believe otherwise.

There are 7 basic criteria for diagnosing Rheumatoid arthritis. Only one of these 7 criteria is a titer of RF. One in seven patients will not have any detectable levels of RF and they will be termed "seronegative".

There are over 100 types of arthritis. All of these can have symptoms that overlap. A few of the more common forms of seronegative arthritis include Osteoarthritis, bacterial Endocarditis, Reactive Arthritis and septic arthritis. Less common types include juvenile onset and adult onset forms of idiopathic arthritis as well as some brought about by bacteria such as Rheumatic Fever or Lyme arthritis.

To sum it up, seronegative rheumatoid arthritis means that the person doesn't have any of the significant levels of the rheumatoid factor. However, they may still have a form of the condition and it may just be less aggressive. They may at a later date develop the condition in full.

Spondylarthropathy
With so many symptoms, they may even have another form of arthritis. Experts have classified many different conditions that are very similar to arthritis but have a seronegative factor. One of these is Spondylarthropathy.It may also be referred to as seronegative rheumatoid arthritis, seronegative spondylarthropathy, or BASE syndrome. A lot of the disorders falling under the heading of spondylarthropathy were at one point in time thought to be variants of RA.

These include such conditions as:

• reactive arthritis


• Ankylosing Spondylitis


• Psoriatic Arthritis


• enteropathic arthritis


• Whipple’s disease

These disorders are unique in that they do share a common root. They are also all inflammatory, autoimmune conditions that cause arthritis in various parts of the body.

Difference Between Rheumatoid Arthritis and Spondylarthropathy
While all of these conditions might have arthritis in common, there are also some huge differences between rheumatoid arthritis and spondylarthropathy.

These are that spondylarthropathy is much more commonly found in men. And, that spondylarthropathy conditions frequently include complications besides arthritis, such as:

• Psoriasis


• eye diseases


• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)


• Canker Sores


• urethritis

Rheumatoid arthritis as well as spondylarthropathy may also be different in how they are presented in the body. Rheumatoid arthritis happens in the joints on both sides of your body. In spondylarthropathy, however, it's experienced asymmetrically. It also happens more in feet and ankles and not just the joints. It may also flare in the spine as well as tendons that are attached to bones.

How Can It Be Treated?
Sadly, there is no cure for either seronegative rheumatoid arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. It is important to note, however, that even though there isn't a cure, there are treatments like the following that can offer some relief:

• antibiotics for eye infections


• painkillers


• topical creams for psoriasis


• dietary changes for inflammatory bowel disorders (IBDs)

If you are struggling with joint pain and think you may have arthritis, you have many options. Give your doctor a call and find out what you can do for your pain relief.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Diet

Rheumatoid Arthritis Diet

Different groups are divided on the best foods for the purpose of managing Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). On one side, different studies suggest that eating a balanced diet helps in the management of RA symptoms as well as the general health of the patient. On the other hand, The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease (NIAMS) differ with these results. NIAMS suggests that consumption of just enough calories, proteins and calcium nutrients is the best way to manage RA. Despite the difference of opinion on this issue, there is no perfect rheumatoid arthritis diet that could work for all RA patients.

In any case, every individual is different in his or her own way. Following this guideline on what to eat and avoid in RA management as you determine the best diet for you. However, do not make huge changes to your diet without some advice from your doctor.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Diet: Foods to Eat
1. Mediterranean-Style Diet


Mediterranean-style food includes plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. These foods have two main components: antioxidants and phytonutrients. These components are quite beneficial to RA patients. Mediterranean-style foods also include the use of olive oil and nuts which have unsaturated fats. This type of fats is healthy and ensures patient’s cholesterol levels is at a healthy level and hence reduces the chances of suffering from a cardiovascular disease. In addition, this diet for rheumatoid arthritis enhances slimming. With reduced weight, RA patients’ joints suffer from lesser strain.

2. Omega-3s


Fatty acids that contain omega-3s have always been praised because of heart related benefits. Omega-3s are also some of the anti-inflammatory foods for arthritis. They have evidently reduced stiffness of joints and pain due to arthritis. Omega-3s can be found in either of two sources. Fish that live in cold water are the first known sources of the fatty acids. These fishes include salmon, herring and tuna. Secondly, this type of nutrients can be found in flaxseed, walnuts, as well as tofu. However, you should not presume that fish oil supplements will provide these benefits. Actually, they might lead to unwanted negative effects for interacting with RA drugs.

3. Antioxidants


Another good food for rheumatoid arthritis diet is antioxidants. By including antioxidants in a diet, an RA patient gains three main advantages: damage of free radicals, reduction of inflammation, and relieve of pain. Good examples of antioxidants are vitamins such as A, C and E, and mineral selenium. Foods rich in these nutrients include fruits, nuts, green tea, as well as fresh vegetables.

3. Fiber

Inflammation levels are measured in terms of C-reactive proteins (CRP) within a person’s blood. Foods with high quantities of fibre reduce CRP and hence reduce inflammation. You should consume more fibre by eating foods such as strawberries (frozen or fresh), fresh vegetables, and whole grains.

4. Flavonoids

Flavonoids should be included as part of a diet for rheumatoid arthritis because of their advantages. They reduce inflammation, pain due to RA and swelling. Only plants can naturally produce flavonoids. Therefore, for you to add them to your system, you should consume foods such as berries, grapes, and broccoli. If you love chocolate, then you are also adding flavonoids into your diet especially when eating the dark ones.

5. Spices

Spices that contain either curcumin or capsaicin compounds are very helpful in reducing inflammation. Cucurmin can be found in spices such as turmeric and ginger. On the other hand, capsaicin can be found in chilli peppers. It not only reduces inflammation but also effectively reduces pain.

6. The Paleo Diet

Paleo diet involves consumption of foods believed to have been consumed by the early man. These foods usually include meat, vegetables and fruits. However, the diet does not involve consumption of grains, sugary foods, dairy products or any processed food product. The advantage of this diet is that it contains high levels of proteins and low levels of carbohydrates. Paleo is considered a rheumatoid arthritis diet because it reduces inflammation. Unfortunately, foods such as red meat can worsen RA’s condition. Therefore, it is important to discuss with a doctor prior to the start of using Paleo diet.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Diet: Foods to Avoid
1. Dairy

Some patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis react negatively to dairy products’ proteins. These patients produce antibodies with the presumption that these proteins are harmful to the body. Unfortunately, these antibodies do not attack just the dairy product’s proteins and they might attack other parts of the body, which worsens RA symptoms. In order to reduce this risk, consume dairy alternatives such as soy and almond milk.

2. Meat

As you try to manage RA, you should reduce the amount of meat you consume. The reasons for this reduction are twofold. One, meat consumption adds more fats and calories into the body and this is quite unhealthy. Two, fats from meat are broken down into chemicals that favour inflammation. Doctors advise patients suffering from RA to avoid including plant sources of proteins in his rheumatoid arthritis diet. These sources of proteins include beans and soy.

3. Gluten

Gluten is a type of protein. It can be found in wheat or similar grains, which make dough chewy. This protein also triggers a disease called celiac, which is quite common in RA patients. A person suffering from celiac should not consume gluten. Otherwise he will suffer from a small intestinal reaction leading to bloating and diarrhoea. Moreover, this protein could also lead to inflammation of joints for a person suffering from celiac. A study has also found that RA patients had their condition improve significantly for eating gluten-free diets.

4. Coffee or Other Caffeinated Beverages

Millions of Americans consume coffee on a daily basis, drinking an average of three cups every day. Studies on effects of coffee on RA are not only conflicting but also inconclusive. However, it is better to be safe than sorry. One study found out that coffee leads to a subtype of RA called anti-CCP positive RA. Therefore, it is safe to avoid drinking of coffee rather than to regret later.

5. Sugar

One doctor gave an analogy for high consumption of sugars. He likened it to having excessive rain in a small pond; the flood would definitely damage the pond’s surroundings. In the body, sugars have three disadvantages: increasing acidity levels, increasing high Blood Pressure chances, and favouring inflammation. In addition, high sugar levels inhibit the normal functionality of white blood cells, lowering a person’s immunity level. In order to be safe from these risks, reduce consumption of refined sugars. You can use alternatives such as honey.

In order to learn more ways of how to manage rheumatoid arthritis, watch avideo:

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis






Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term inflammatory disorder that affects the small lining of the joints in your legs and hands. The major symptom of this disorder is swelling of joints in the knees or hands which can cause severe pain and stiffness. Exact cause of this disorder is not known, but hereditary and environmental factor can trigger this disease. In rare cases it can affect the joints of eyes, lungs or blood vessels. Rheumatoid arthritis is more common in women than men and usually it begins after 40 years.

Symptoms :

Some of the signs of rheumatoid arthritis are swelling of joints in knees and hands. It can cause morning stiffness and the symptoms may improve as time passes. The joints can become tender and warm and for some people it can cause firm lesions or nodules in the tissues under your arms. It can cause extreme tiredness and fatigue.

Initially the joints of the fingers are first affected in rheumatoid arthritis. As the disorder progresses, it affects the joints of knees, elbows and hips. Often, both sides of the body are affected in this disorder. The symptoms of arthritis may range from mild to severe and there are periods or remission and flares. It would cause pain when there is swelling of joints which is called period of flares and if the pain disappear it is the period of remission.

Causes :

Exact reason for rheumatoid arthritis is not known. It is believed to develop due to defect in the immune system which by mistake attacks the soft lining of membranes of the joints leading to inflammation. The portion of synovirum gets thickened destroying the cartilages of bones in the joint which eventually makes the joint weaker causing distortion of shape leading to severe pain.

It is considered to develop due to genetic factor also since what exactly triggers rheumatoid arthritis is still a question. It can occur due to combined influence of environmental and genetic and harmonic factors. Some experts believe that virus or bacteria can cause infection leading to swelling of joints.

Who are at risk?

Anyone can develop rheumatoid arthritis. However it is more common in women than men for reasons unknown. Old age can weaken the immune system triggering the symptoms. People above 40 or 45 years, particularly women are more prone to get RA. An individual with family history of rheumatoid arthritis have increased chance of developing the disease.

Complications :

A person with RA becomes prone for developing Osteoporosis since the disease weakens the bone. In severe cases, if the arthritis affects your wrist joints you are likely to develop Capital tunnel syndrome. In some cases RA can cause heart problems when the sac that envelops the heart develops inflammation. It may also cause lung problems due to scarring of tissues of lungs.

Diagnosis :

It is difficult to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis in early stages. Your doctor will look for the symptoms like swelling of joints and warmth over the joints. She may order for blood test to check if the erythrocyte sedimentation rate is increased which is indicative of inflammatory disorder. She may order for imaging tests like X-rays to get clear picture of the joints.

Treatment :

Rheumatoid arthritis cannot be cured, but the symptoms can be managed with medications. Along with drugs your doctor would advise you to take physiotherapy sessions to prevent further swelling of joints. In severe cases, surgery is done. NSAID drugs like Motrin or Advil or Aleve are given to control inflammation and to manage pain. You can also buy over the counter pain killers for managing mild pain.

In more severe cases, your doctor may give prednisone which belongs to corticosteroid group. This can cause adverse effects like increase in weight, thinning of bones and cataracts. Anti-rheumatic drugs DMARD like Trexall or Arava or Plaquenil are given to slow down the progression of disease. Sometimes the doctor may prescribe immunosuppressant like Imuran, Azasan, Neoral or Gengraf to block the immune system from attacking the synovium. TNF alpha inhibitors like infliximab or adalimumab or certolizumab are given to reduce pain and stiffness of joints.

• Physiotherapy :

You can get help from a therapist to know how to keep your joints flexible. But you need to do regular exercises to manage pain.

• Surgery :

If the medications and other methods fail to reduce pain, surgery is done to repair the joints. This is the last option for people whose joints have been deformed and mis-aligned due to intensive swelling. Depending on the case, the surgeon would remove the parts of the joints that are totally damaged and insert a metal prosthesis or he would repair the tendons that surrounds the joint. Surgical fusing is done to realign the joint in some cases.

Pictures of Rheumatoid Arthritis :

Images, Pics, Pictures and Photos of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Lifestyle Changes :

Changing your routine can give you relief from most of the symptoms caused by rheumatoid arthritis. Practice exercise regularly which is effective giving joint flexibility. Alternate hot and cold therapy can be used on the affected joints. You can gently massage the area using hot water bag that helps in relaxing the muscles. Similarly keeping ice packs on the joint is helpful in easing out the pain. Alternative approaches like taking plant oils and fish oils can help you in overcoming pain and stiffness, but there is no proof that they are effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis.