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Hasbrook & Hasbrook
400 N Walker Ave #130, Oklahoma City, OK Phone: (405) 605-2426
400 N Walker Ave #130, Oklahoma City, OK Phone: (405) 605-2426
What Are the Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)?
Scientists have identified more than 100 different types of arthritis. One of the most common is rheumatoid arthritis, a condition the Arthritis Foundation estimates affects approximately 1.5 million people throughout the U.S. It’s especially common here in Oklahoma, where the CDC estimates anywhere from 25% to 33% of the adult population is affected: a quarter to a third of all Oklahoma residents over age 18. Only 13 other states have such a high prevalence of RA.Most people think of RA as a bone or joint disorder, but it is actually a problem with the body’s immune system. Instead of functioning normally, an RA patient’s immune system attacks his or her own body, leading to chronic inflammation of the joints, typically in the knees and fingers. (The medical suffix “-itis” always refers to inflammation – for example, bronchitis refers to inflammation of the lungs’ bronchi airways.)Early symptoms of RA may include:- Persistent fatigue and tiredness
- Weight loss
- Warm, sore, stiff, and/or swollen joints
- Dry mouth and problems with normal salivation
- Pulmonary fibrosis a respiratory problem caused by lung damage
- Red, sore, swollen eyes
- Skin rashes and/or skin ulcers
How a Traumatic Injury Can Cause or Aggravate RA
Doctors aren’t sure what causes some people to develop rheumatoid arthritis.
Research into this area continues every day — but in the meantime, scientists have posited a few factors that could contribute. These factors include obesity, having a history of bacterial and viral infections, exposure to toxins and pollutants, and, according to the Arthritis Foundation, “the body’s response to stressful events such as physical or emotional trauma.” Physical trauma means an external blow, such as being struck by an object or falling against a hard surface. Thus, getting seriously injured could potentially cause you to develop RA.Though the search for definitive answers continues, researchers have performed several studies probing the link between physical trauma and RA. At least one, published in Rheumatology, found a strong correlation.Over one-fifth of the RA patients (55 people) who participated in the Rheumatology study reported sustaining an injury within the past six months. By comparison, only 6.5% of the non-RA controls (17 people) reported the same. The study’s authors concluded: “Physical trauma in the preceding six months is significantly associated with the onset of RA.”Can You Get Compensated if a Car Accident Makes an Existing Condition Worse?
Everyone knows it is possible to sue over a carelessly inflicted injury.
What fewer people realize is that it is also possible, under some circumstances, to sue when an accident makes an existing condition worse.Thousands of Oklahomans have already been diagnosed with RA. If your RA became more severe after you got into a car accident, you may have a claim for compensation.Of course, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will try to argue that the accident did not aggravate your existing RA, likely by requesting an Independent Medical Exam (IME), which is nothing of the sort. Far from being “independent,” these exams are rigged against the injury victim because they are performed by doctors who answer to the insurance company.That is why saving all of your medical documentation after an accident is so important–and to ensure you are armed with quality legal representation. With over 75 years of combined experience, our car accident attorneys will do everything we can to protect your best interests and prove that your condition worsened after the crash.Can a Car Accident Lead to the Development of Scoliosis?
A car accident can potentially lead to the development of scoliosis. The forceful impact and sudden jolts during the accident can cause spinal misalignments or injuries, resulting in the curvature of the spine. It is important to seek medical attention after a car accident to address any potential scoliosis concerns and ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.