Polymyalgia rheumatica was probably first reported over 100 years ago with the name “senile rheumatic gout.” Other names were used until 1957.

There is a relationship between polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis. They each seem to have the same disease process with slightly different signs and symptoms. However, you can have one without having the other.

Polymyalgia rheumatica usually affects people who are over 50 years of age. Women are affected more than twice as much as women. It is a relatively common problem in the United States and Europe.

Polymyalgia rheumatica results when your immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of your joints with white blood cells. However, no one knows what causes your immune system to make this mistake. Researchers believe both environmental and genetic factors are probably involved. There may also be a connection between this disease and certain viruses that cause respiratory infections.

The signs and symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica often appear suddenly, without warning. They can literally begin overnight. Some of the signs and symptoms that you may experience are:

• Weakness or malaise (not feeling well)
• Anemia (low red blood cell count)
• Unintended weight loss
• Fatigue
• A slight fever at various times
• Moderate to severe stiffness, pain and aching in the muscles of your hips, shoulders, thighs, upper arms and neck.

Stiffness and pain may start on one side of your body. As the disease progresses, you will probably be affected on both sides of your body. The pain and stiffness is usually more severe after you have been lying or sitting down for a long time or in the morning. It may be bad enough to awaken you from sleep.

You or a loved one may be suffering from polymyalgia rheumatica. This disease may be why you or your loved one is disabled and not able to work.

As a result, you may need assistance. You or your loved one may need financial aid.

Where will it come from? Who can you turn to? Who can and will help you?

Do you or your loved one intend to apply for Social Security disability benefits or disability benefits from the Social Security Administration because of the disability caused by polymyalgia rheumatica and/or other conditions along with this disease? Did you already do this, and you or your loved one was turned down by the Social Security Administration?

If you or your loved one appeals the denial by the Social Security Administration, always remember this. People who are represented by a disability attorney like the one you will find at socialsecurityhome.com are approved more often than those people without a lawyer.

Please do not hesitate. Contact the disability attorney at socialsecurityhome.com, today.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease which means it can affect several organs and tissue or your whole body. As a result, rheumatoid arthritis often affects extra-articular tissues throughout your body including your heart, lungs, skin, blood vessels and muscles.

About 1% or 2.1 million Americans have rheumatoid arthritis. It is the second most common type of arthritis behind osteoarthritis.

The cause of rheumatoid arthritis is still unknown, but has long been believed to be infectious. Food allergies, external organisms and heredity may also play a part in being susceptible to rheumatoid arthritis. There is no evidence that emotional and physical effects, improper diet or stress play a role in this disease.

There are certain factors that may increase your risk of getting rheumatoid arthritis. Some of these are:

• Age – This disease happens usually between the ages of 40 and 60.
• Sex- Women are more likely to get rheumatoid arthritis than men.
• Family history – If anyone in your family has this disease, you have an increased risk for getting it.
• Smoking – Smoking cigarettes increases your risk of getting rheumatoid arthritis.

The effects caused by rheumatoid arthritis come and go depending on how much your tissue is inflamed. When your body tissues are inflamed, rheumatoid arthritis is active. When the inflammation goes away the disease is in remission.

When rheumatoid arthritis is active, there are several signs and symptoms that you may experience. These include:

• Lack of appetite
• Fatigue
• Low-grade fever
• Muscle and joint aches
• Stiffness.

Muscle and joint stiffness happen most notably after periods of inactivity and in the morning. Your joints frequently become swollen, red, tender and painful.

Rheumatoid arthritis can be both painful and debilitating. It may be why you or a loved one is not able to work. It may be the cause of your disability.

As a result, you or your loved one may need help. You may need financial assistance.

Have you or your loved one applied for Social Security disability benefits or disability benefits from the Social Security Administration because of the disability caused by rheumatoid arthritis? Were you are your loved one denied?

You or your loved one may decide to appeal the denial by the Social Security Administration. If you do, always remember.

You or your loved one will need the representation of a disability lawyer like the one you will find at socialsecurityhome.com in the appeals process. The reason this is true is because people who are represented by a disability attorney are approved more often than those people who are not represented by a lawyer.

Do not hesitate. Contact the disability attorney at socialsecurityhome.com, today.