Question : I AM 43 years old and lately, I have been suffering from a stiff neck. It starts suddenly and there is pain with movement. Sometimes, it may be accompanied with fever and even affects shoulder blade. The stiff neck comes and goes. What should I do? Answer : FROM your description, you may be suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. However, it is best to visit doctor to get a proper diagnosis.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory condition that can affect entire body. It is an autoimmune disease, in which immune system attacks joints, including synovial membranes surrounding lubricating fluid in joints. Other parts of body involved are hands and feet, wrists, ankles, knees and spine.
This disease is characterised by early morning joint stiffness and pain and inflammation in symmetrically located joints. The fingers and toes are usually first to be affected, though it is not uncommon for pain to spread to joints throughout body.
Common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include fatigue, low-grade fever, weakness, joint stiffness, vague joint pain and appearance of painful, swollen joints.
Omega-3 oil has been shown to suppress production of inflammatory compounds secreted by white blood cells, thus showing improvement in number of tender joints on physical examination and amount of morning stiffness in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.