Rheumatoid Arthritis Case Study

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The readings in our class textbook have revealed how important it is to be healthy, smart, and conscious to the natural world we live in. I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis this year. This diagnosis has forced me to revaluate my health and make life-altering decisions that can help me in the future. I have established an environmental health plan that is part of my goal for my health and the impact it can have on me overall. An environmental health plan should include how we live our lives, how it takes a toll on the Earth, personal environment, and what we should do to take action to protect what is left for future generations. I hope to be able to do little things today that can impact my future. I am sitting here on my laptop trying to work but the pain creeps into my wrists and fingers. Sometimes I don’t know how I am going to make it through all my schoolwork or job on a daily basis. This course has made me question the little ideas of how the environment has influenced my body, mind, and the home I live in. It is a misconceptions that some people think Rheumatoid Arthritis is a disease that only strikes people in their mid to late life, and with good reason that the average age of diagnosis is 60 years old (Handout). The disease can …show more content…
I have looked for ways to reduce stress. The psychology study of our environments has shown emotional stress impacts our bodies in multiple ways. Our brains, nervous systems, endocrine and immune systems are always constantly interacting (Andersen). If something is wrong with one human system it could disrupt another one. The environment I live in greatly does affect me. The stressors of an environment such as noise and smells of harsh chemicals are some examples (Frumkin). I have brought in a white noise machine to block out sounds that are unpleasant. Aromatherapy is a natural nontoxic way that has helped and block out negative

Rheumatoid Arthritis Case Study

significant relationship between one’s health and their occupation/s. The complexities of this relationship is demonstrated through the dimensions of health and transition through their occupations. This essay utilities the case study of Ben Horgan, who has lived with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) for nearly 30 years as evidence of this correlation. For the purpose of this essay, ‘occupation’ is defined as groups of activities of everyday life that are given value and meaning by individuals and a culture…

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Rheumatoid Arthritis Case Study

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder that occurs when your immune system attacks your own body's tissues. RA affects the lining of the joints, causing a painful swelling. The resulting inflammation thickens the synovium, which can eventually destroy the cartilage and bone within the joint. Signs and symptoms of RA may include tender and warm, swollen joints, morning stiffness that may last for hours, fatigue, and fever. The cause of RA is not yet fully understood, although…

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Rheumatoid Arthritis Case Study

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic auto immune, systemic inflammatory disease. It attacks peripheral joint and the surrounding muscle, tendons, ligaments and blood vessels. It can also produce inflammation in the lungs, pericardium, pleura and nodular lesions under the skin. (Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 2013). RA leads to damage of connective tissues and the synovial membrane in the joints, and can cause permeant damage. The symptoms of RA can vary from person to person. It can be minor…

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Rheumatoid Arthritis Research Paper

Rheumatoid arthritis is a serious autoimmune disorder, and is quite common amongst Americans today. It is said to affect over 2 million people in the U.S. (Friendman & Booth-Kewley). Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic and often debilitating inflammatory disorder of the joints, causing immense pain and disability in those who are afflicted with it. For quite some time now, it has been hypothesized that psychological factors may play a major role in the development of arthritis; with the majority of…

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Essay about Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic condition that is characterized by persistent inflammation of a number of joints. Over a prolonged period of time, this inflammation results in irreversible joint damage. Although its cause is unknown, it is usually thought to be auto-immune disorder in which the immune system starts to attack the body's own tissue. Rheumatoid Arthritis has a world-wide distribution and affects 0.5-1%, with a female preponderance, of the population( Kumar & Clarck's, Clinical Medicine)…

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Periodontitis Research Paper

system starts attacking healthy tissue. Periodontitis can have a greatly affect this condition. There have been studies performed that show how periodontitis can cause rheumatoid arthritis symptoms to be more severe when compared to those without gum disease or those that have mild periodontitis. Researchers are unclear as to why periodontitis has this kind of impact on rheumatoid arthritis, but one theory is that your joints and gums have similar cells, which cause them to react the same way to an…

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Rheumatoid Arthritis Research Paper

Introduction Rheumatoid Arthritis is a long term, chronic disease that causes stiffness, pain, and swelling as well as it limits the motion and function of many joints. According to (Martini & Bartholomew, 2013)Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease where antibodies attack connective tissues around the joints. In response to this abnormal immunity reaction it causes inflammation that can damage the joints, it can also lead to other issues in other organs like the heart and lungs. It is one…

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Rheumatoid Arthritis and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate Essay

complaint osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are possible diagnoses. Both diseases can lead to joint and bone destruction, nodules, and lesions. I would evaluate the skin for temperature, symmetry, and color. Warmth, redness, and joint deformities are indicative of both diseases. Next, I would examine the respiratory system. RA can involve the lungs and progress to pleural effusions, interstitial fibrosis, nodules, and pneumonia (MEDSCAPE). A small study found a high prevalence of pulmonary…

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Rheumatoid Arthritis Research Paper

Rheumatoid Arthritis, a disease that currently effects 1.5 million people within the United States, is an autoimmune disorder that causes pain, erythematous, swelling, loss of function, and stiffness within the joint synovium. Although rheumatoid arthritis is commonly characterized by the joint defects in areas like the wrist, hands, knees, feet, and other areas, it is a systemic disease that manifests itself in all areas of the body. The disease can cause psychological symptoms mostly induced by…

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Arthritis Research Paper

Arthritis is a disease which causes inflammation of the joints. If left untreated joint damage, joint limitations and deformities can occur. People suffering from arthritis must be groping for ways and means to totally cure them of their condition. Arthritis is the common term given to diseases of the joints. It is associated with pain and swelling, which can come and go due to certain trigger factors. Arthritis is very common to middle-aged individuals because that's the time when their joints…

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