focus on women
rheumatoid arthritis
vs. osteoarthritis
What’s the difference?
[A]
bout 1.3 million
“This affects the tissue that lines
Complications of RA
American adults—
the joints, causing stiffness, pain and
The inflammation that causes
mostly women—live with the pain
swelling. RA tends to impact the small
RA also increases the risks for
of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a
joints in the hands and feet first but
osteoporosis, heart attack, stroke and
chronic autoimmune disease that
actually affects the entire body,” says
other diseases.
generally begins between ages 40
Alyce Oliver, MD, a rheumatologist
and 60.
at Georgia Health Sciences Medical
tant to see a rheumatologist. “RA can
Center who specializes in RA.
be difficult to diagnose in the initial
If you think you have RA, it’s impor-
How does RA differ from osteoarthritis?
is a degenerative disease caused
ized care can reduce these risks and
Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by
by thinning in the cartilage that
delay or even prevent joint damage,”
inflammation throughout the body.
lines the joints. As cartilage wears,
says Dr. Oliver. “We treat the disease
changes in the bone around the joint
aggressively to achieve clinical remis-
limit function and cause joint pain.
sion, prevent underlying joint
This disease affects the joints only.
damage and disease, and
Get an accurate diagnosis and advanced care Georgia Health Sciences Rheumatology Department staffs physicians who specialize in RA and stay up to date on the latest research. These physicians offer one-stop diagnosis and care through musculoskeletal ultrasound, multidisciplinary medical management, and an infusion center for biologics that disrupt the immune response that occurs in RA.
Osteoarthritis, on the other hand,
stages, yet early diagnosis and special-
help patients maintain
What are the signs of RA?
an active lifestyle.”
People with RA experience symptoms in the joints and beyond, including: • tender, warm, swollen joints • morning stiffness that may last for hours • firm bumps of tissue under the skin on the arms
Get back to doing what you love To schedule an appointment, call 706-721-1400 or visit georgiahealth.org/appointment.
• fatigue, fever and weight loss “The symptoms vary in intensity and may come and go, but the pain and swelling generally occur in the same joints on both sides of the body,” Dr. Oliver says.
georgiahealth.org
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