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This rare and mysterious form of rheumatoid arthritis is actually an inflammatory condition. It attacks the joints, internal organs, and other parts of the body. The queer thing about this disease is that it can disappear as suddenly as it appears. In serious cases, Adult-onset Still’s Disease can become debilitating and chronic, causing stiffness and terrible pain. After several years, this ailment begins to cripple and paralyze vital organs like the lungs and the heart.

There are anti-inflammatory medicines to control the painful symptoms of AOSD. In fact, till a few years back, people didn’t know what caused ASOD exactly.

This disease is named after Dr. Still, a well-known pediatrician, who came to know about the childhood form of this disease. While the disease is rare, it can affect anyone in any part of the world.

Symptoms of AOSD

Before we look at the symptoms, it is important to note that there isn’t any set pattern in the disease. Some people experience only a couple of the symptoms at that time, and experience the other symptoms later. Joint pain and fever can be the only symptoms that can be diagnosed immediately; other symptoms may take a few weeks to appear.

• Fever: One of the first signs of AOSD is high fever. The temperature rises dramatically during the early hours of sundown, and then comes down in the night.
• Rash: Salmon pink rash that appears and disappears mysteriously, quite often along with the fever, is another symptom to watch out for. The rashes can be on the thighs and chest, as well as on the feet, hands, and face. The rash can be itchy.
• Joint and muscle pain: Intense pains in the joints, especially in the hands, as well as severe muscle pain are other symptoms that you must watch out for. The fever worsens the pain.
• Sore throat: Sore throat in the area around the pharynx 2 and a burning pain are other symptoms.
• Heart and lung symptoms: Difficulty in breathing and pain.
• Abdominal pain: Swollen lymph nodes can cause abdominal pain. The liver or spleen can get enlarge as well.
• Abnormal white blood cell count: a person’s white blood cell count can be abnormal.

Diagnosis:

There isn’t any simple test to diagnose AOSD. But doctors check to see if a patient has more than five of the mentioned symptoms.

Treatment

Generally doctors prescribe anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs to treat AOSD. We suggest, you speak with your doctor for detailed information about the medication and treatment plan.