If you've been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you might have a lot of questions. You're probably hearing a lot of medical terms for the first time, and it may be tough to keep them all straight.
Here are some simple definitions for common terms that may come up when you talk with health professionals about RA.
Acute Pain: This is pain that comes on quickly. It can be severe, but it usually lasts less than 6 months.
Antibody: This is a protein in your blood that attacks bacteria, viruses, and other things called antigens that might be harmful. Antibodies stay in your system in case the antigens come back. Your doctor may do a blood test to look for antibodies linked to RA.
Arthralgia: This is inflammation or pain that comes from inside a joint. It can be anything from mild soreness to intense pain that makes it hard to move.
Arthropathy: This is the term for any disease of your joints. Doctors may use it instead of "arthritis." Rheumatoid arthritis is considered an inflammatory arthropathy because it makes your joints inflamed.
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Biologic: A biologic is a kind of medicine that's made in live cells. It targets specific parts of your immune system where there's inflammation. Several kinds of biologics are used to treat RA. That includes the first one, called etanercept ( Enbrel), that was approved in 1998.
Chronic Pain: This is pain that lasts a long time. Arthritis pain is considered chronic because it doesn't usually go away completely. And it causes damage to your joints over time. RA can cause chronic pain from the inflammation in your joints.
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DMARDs: Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are medications used to treat RA. DMARDs block inflammation. And they can help prevent damage to your joint tissue. There are different kinds of DMARDs -- the kind your doctor recommends for you will depend on your situation. DMARDs aren't considered pain medication, but they can help with pain after a few months since they ease inflammation.
Enthesis: This is where a tendon or ligament meets a joint. Tendons attach your muscles to your bones, and ligaments attach two bones together.
Enthesitis/Enthesopathy: Inflammation and pain in an enthesis is known as enthesitis. A disorder that causes pain, swelling, irritation, or damage to these places is called an enthesopathy. Doctors are still researching how this may play a role in RA.