Reactive Arthritis

There is something commonly known as Reiter’s Syndrome and is reactive arthritis.  It is a type of arthritis that is known by swelling, redness, and heat in the joints.  This is going to be especially in the spine and inflammation of other joints, urinary tract and even the eyes.  Reiter’s Syndrome is something that is related to the family of different arthritic conditions that is known as spondylarthropathies. This is known to bother the spine.  Anyone that is suffering from Reiter’s Syndrome will have fever, swelling, and ulcers in the mouth, weight loss and sores on the skin. 

With many of the diseases that are known today, Reiter’s Syndrome has no confirmed cause and can affect anyone of any age, gender or race. There are researchers that do believe that Reiter’s Syndrome is going to be due to mostly genetics because there are many tendencies that seem to run in families.  There is about 75% of people who are suffering from Reiter’s Syndrome have a certain gene that is known to start the condition.  This is a painful disease that will affect young men who are white and around the ages of 20 and 40.  Reiter’s Syndrome is also known to develop after certain infections in the small intestine, genitals, and urinary tract.  It is linked to salmonella contamination, so you nee to take measures to avoid this condition by being sure that your foods are cooked properly.

This disease does affect a number of parts of the body.  There are different treatments that must be used to help the patients be healthy and have normal lives.  Medications like NSAIDS that block and stop inflammation in joints and may be used.  There are antibiotics and skin medications that are used to clear up the painful sores that will start on the body.  Anyone that is suffering from Reiter’s Syndrome will also see urologists to deal with the urinary tract infections and occupational therapists will take care of the joints.  Use dermatologists to clear up the skin problems and there are physical therapists to teach different exercises that can be done to help lower the pain and swelling in joints.  Anyone may also want to see doctors that specialize in the eyes because this is a condition that causes inflammation in this part of the body too.  If you or someone that you know is diagnosed with Reiter’s Syndrome called Reactive Arthritis, you need to learn as much about it as you can so that you can learn to live with it and have a normal life.