Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition. It is a chronic inflammatory disorder that not only affects your joints but also damages a variety of body systems. It can damage lungs, eyes, skin, & blood vessels over time.
Like Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects the tissues around the joints that cause painful swelling. And this effect results in bone deterioration and joint deformity.
Here read the symptoms you can watch if you have Rheumatoid Arthritis.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms:
- The symptoms include:
- Joint swelling and pain
- Stiff joints, especially in the morning or sitting a long time
- Fatigue, fever, or loss of appetite
Rheumatoid Arthritis affects everyone differently. However, early RA affects the joints of your toes and fingers.
And with the progress of the disease, one might find symptoms spread to wrists, knees, ankles, and elbows. Around 40% of people who have RA experiences symptoms in
- Eyes
- Heart
- Kidneys
- Salivary Glands
- Nerve Tissue
- Bone Marrow
- Blood Vessels
Some people also have no symptoms of RA. That means the disease may have for a short time and then remission.
Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis:
Every one of us knew that the immune system helps to fight diseases. And Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease that means the immune system attacks healthy cells by mistake. So, in RA, the immune system attacks healthy tissues in around the joint.
The exact reason for RA is unknown to experts, but the genetic pattern is the cause of RA. Moreover, other theories state that some kind of virus or bacteria attacks joints. Or Smoking can lead to RA.
Some factors also increase the risk of RA include
- Gender: Females are more likely at risk of the disease
- Age: The disease can affect no matter at any age. However, middle-aged people are likely to get affected by Rheumatoid Arthritis.
- Heredity: As one of the causes of RA is hereditary a family history of RA increase of risk of the disease.
- Smoking: Smoking also triggers the risk to get the disease.
- Excessive Weight: People who had gained excessive weight are at risk.
Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis:
Medications and regular exercise are best to treat RA. Medication helps to comfort joint pain, swelling, and inflammation. And some drugs also help to slow down the disease.
The medicines are actually
- Anti-inflammatory drugs
- Pain relievers to rub on skin
- Corticosteroids
- Pain relievers
- Also, there are Disease-Modifying Anti-rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)
- When DMARDs do not help RA, Biologic response modifiers are the next option. Biologic response modifiers are a man-made version of genes.
Other than medicines exercise helps to strengthen the tissues and muscles. However, do not move joints or exercise when inflammation gets worse. Then it is best to rest your joints. Exercise only when inflammation eases. For exercise and movement help, take the advice of a physiotherapist.
Important to mention, in severe cases, surgery may help with joint damage.
Remember, there is no permanent cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis. However, early care and treatment help prevent disabilities.
