Palindromic Rheumatoid Arthritis
by Sandra Kim Leong
Palindromic rheumatoid arthritis is a disease where the patient experiences periodic episodes of pain, swelling, warmth, and stiffness of joints. There are also recurrent attacks of transient inflammation in and around the joints. Palindromic rheumatoid arthritis normally plagues two or three joints. The disease has some typical symptoms and is very difficult to treat.
The Recurrent Episodes of Pain
Palindromic rheumatoid arthritis is usually characterized by episodic articular, or periarticular pain. The fingers and knees are two of the most common joints affected by the disease. The pain may be intense but it does not last longer than two or three days. The attacks stop as quickly as they begin. They may last as long as a few hours, or at the most two or three days. These recurrent episodes of pain form a specific pattern. In 60% cases, those who are suffering from this disease may have pain-free periods lasting up to weeks or months. In some cases, these attacks recur after years and cause no permanent damage.
Rheumatoid factors in Palindromic rheumatoid arthritis
There are certain rheumatoid factors that may be present in some of the Palindromic rheumatoid arthritis patients. Some these rheumatoid factors are:
* Large joints are most commonly involved in the recurrent episodes of attack.
* In the swelling of the periarticular tissues such as heel pads and finger pads, soft tissues are also involved.
* Aside from pain and swelling, the Palindromic rheumatoid arthritis patient may feel nodules just below the skin in subcutaneous tissues.
* Blood tests: If they indicate an elevation of the ESR (Erythrocyte sedimentation rate) and CRP (C-reactive protein) level, it is a rheumatoid factor.
Treatment for Palindromic Rheumatoid Arthritis
The treatment for palindromic rheumatoid arthritis is very difficult. The reason is that the recurrent episodes of pain and attack are transient. Even the anti-inflammatory medicines may not be very effective. However, doctors generally prescribe disease-modifying drugs such as hydroxyxhloroquine or methotrexate for Palindromic rheumatoid arthritis patients. These medicines are very effective particularly if there are positive rheumatoid factors involved in the Palindromic rheumatoid arthritis patient. In these cases, the treatment is symptomatic. Although such treatment protocols do not address the underlying issues concerning the disease, they do bring about much needed relief from pain and swelling.
Overall, the causative factors of Palindromic rheumatoid arthritis are still uncertain. As of now, the disease is considered to be a special form of Rheumatoid Arthritis.
About the author:
Sandra Kim Leong writes on Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment. For more information, resources and news updates, please visit her site here at http://www.Rheumatoid-Arthritis-Relief.com.
