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rheumatoid arthritis
what is rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects the body. In this disease, the immune system tasked with protecting the body from bacteria and viruses, starts attacking own body tissues and the joints of the body, causing inflammation of the joints which results in painful deformity and immobility of the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis primarily affects the fingers, wrists, feet and ankles.
rheumatoid arthritis symptoms:
Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms vary in severity among different people and the symptoms also has the nature of completely vanishing and returning intermittently. The varied symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis are;
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Joint pain
- Joint tenderness and inflammation
- Restricted mobility and stiffness
- warmth and redness of the joint
- Anemia
- Loss of joint function and limping
- Many joints affected simultaneously and can occur on both sides of the body.
pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis:
Rheumatoid Arthritis essentially originates as a condition of continuous cell activation leading to autoimmunity and immune complex in the joints and organs. The initial site of the ailment is the synovial membrane, where swelling and blockages prompt invasion of immune cells.
Non specific inflammation: The varied genetic disorders leading to the onset of the unusual immune response becomes permanent and chronic once initiated. People affected with rheumatoid arthritis have abnormal glycosylated antibodies that are chiefly responsible for joint inflammation.
Synovium Amplication: With the onset of the unusual autoimmune response, it may take few years for it to completely establish itself; after which the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis begin to manifest. The plasma cells derived from B lymphocytes produce rheumatoid factors in large quantities, which through various related process finally result in inflammation of the joints.
Persistent Inflammation: This is the stage when the disease progresses and forms granulation tissues on the edges of the synovial lining, pannus with extensive angiogenesis and enzymes resulting in tissue damage. The synovium then thickens and the cartilage and the underlying bones and joints start to disintegrate.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis:
It is difficult to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis in its early stages as its early symptoms are similar to other ailments. The first step in rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis is physical examination by a Rheumatologist to check the severity of the swelling, redness, warmth, reflexes and muscle strength. Besides that the other diagnostic tools that can be used to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis are blood tests, MRI scan, ultrasound and X – rays.
rheumatoid arthritis causes:
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks its own body tissues and joints. Researchers are still clueless as to why the immune system begins to behave in this unusual manner. However, a few contributing rheumatoid factors have been identified as rheumatoid arthritis causes. These rheumatoid factors are as follows;
Genetic factors: Genetic plays an indirect and minor factor in the development of rheumatoid arthritis. The gene – HLA has been found as a common rheumatoid factor in a few patients of rheumatoid arthritis. However, all those affected with rheumatoid arthritis do not necessarily have the HLA gene present in their body, meaning the HLA gene makes a person susceptible to the diseases but is not the direct cause of RA.
Environment Factors: Few environmental factors in interaction with genetic factors put a person at a greater risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. These environmental factors;
- Bacteria and viruses
- Smoking and exposure to
second hand smoke - Air pollution
- Exposure to certain chemicals and insecticide
Personal Factors: Personal factors like age, gender and hereditary also play a role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis.
Age: rheumatoid arthritis mainly affects people in the age group of 40 to 60 years but, it is not a necessity and can affect people across any age group.
Gender: Although both men and women are affected with rheumatoid arthritis but, women are more prone to rheumatoid arthritis than men.
Hereditary: People having rheumatoid arthritis in their family history are more susceptible to rheumatoid arthritis than others.
home remedies for rheumatoid arthritis
Here are a few home remedies for rheumatoid arthritis;
- Regular practice of rheumatoid arthritis exercises as suggested by a physiotherapist
- Applying
hot and cold compress - Taking fish oil supplements
- Drinking turmeric infused water or milk
- Apple cider vinegar mixed with honey and warm water proves effective in rheumatic pain
- Taking Garlic capsules or eating raw garlic daily also help relief rheumatic pain
- Soaking in warm water mixed with Epsom salt helps in rheumatism.
- Massaging ginger oil can also help with rheumatism.
- Following proper rheumatoid arthritis diet as recommended by a dietician
rheumatoid arthritis treatment:
As of now there is no found rheumatoid arthritis cure in rheumatoid arthritis treatment plan. Till date, the main aim of rheumatologist’s is to help in reducing the joint inflammation and pain, increasing function, prevention of further joint deterioration and deformity and reduce rheumatic pain. The usual course of action in rheumatoid arthritis treatment is medication, therapy and surgery.
- Medication: The basic medication offered for rheumatism treatment is
non steroidalanti inflammatory drugs, analgesics, corticosteroid medications, disease modifyinganti -rheumatic drugs and biologic agents. - Physical therapy for rheumatoid arthritis – Rheumatologists often recommends the patients to seek Physical therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. Physical therapy for rheumatoid arthritis offers specifically designed rheumatoid arthritis exercises to help in the mobility and the flexibility of the joints and to reduce rheumatic pain.
- Surgery: Surgery is often used in rheumatism treatment as
a last form of rheumatoid arthritis cure to help the patient in regaining some joint movement back. The various surgical procedures that a rheumatologist can recommend are; - Synovectomy
- Tendon repair
- Joint Fusion
- Joint Replacement
how can we help?
Rheumatoid Arthritis greatly hampers a person’s mobility and as
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