What Is Rheumatoid arthritis
Contents
Rheumatoid arthritis is a disorder that causes inflammation and painful swelling in your joints.
It can also affect other parts of your body, such as your:
- Eyes ( rheumatoid arthritis and vision problems )
- Heart ( rheumatoid arthritis and cardiac disease )
- Skin ( rheumatoid arthritis and rashes )
- Lungs ( rheumatoid arthritis and lung infections )
- Blood vessels ( rheumatoid arthritis and clots )
Symptoms vary depending on which areas of the body are affected, but patients often experience fatigue, morning stiffness, pain, warmth or redness in their joints, swollen joints, and sometimes loss of function.
There is currently no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, but doctors can prescribe medications to help control your symptoms and slow the progress of the disease. Some people may also benefit from physical or occupational therapy, which can improve joint function and mobility.
For some patients, certain lifestyle modifications, such as quitting smoking and maintaining a healthy weight ,can ease rheumatoid arthritis pain. Smoking reduces blood flow throughout your body and increases fluid retention in your joints, which makes it more difficult for them to move smoothly.
In addition, being overweight puts extra pressure on your joints, which can make rheumatoid arthritis symptoms worse.
Different lifestyle modifications you could include:
- Weight loss if overweight
- Stop smoking if a smoker
- Exercise regularly to increase flexibility and strength in your joints as well as cardiovascular fitness.
- Doctors typically treat rheumatoid arthritis with medications that slow the immune system or reduce inflammation . The goal is to prevent further damage to the kidneys, digestive tract, skin, and other parts of the body.
- Pain medications are usually the first line of defense against rheumatoid arthritis pain. These types of drugs include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), COX-2 inhibitors, and acetaminophen. There are several NSAIDs available ,and they all work by blocking enzymes that make prostaglandins, which is a compound involved in pain. However, not everyone responds well to these medications or can tolerate their side effects .
- Acetaminophen may also cause stomach upset and liver damage if taken too often.
NSAIDs and COX-2 inhibitors:
- Ketorolac (Acular, Acular LS, Acular PF)
- Etodolac (Lodine)
- Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, Nuprin)
- Nabumetone (Relafen)
- Piroxicam (Feldene)
Antimalarial drugs:
These drugs can help reduce the number of rheumatoid arthritis flares and slow the progression of rheumatoid arthritis in some patients. However, antimalarials can increase your risk for serious infections and should be used with caution.
They include:
- Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil)
- Sulfasalazine (Azulfidine)
Biologic therapies are specifically tailored to each patient’s needs . This type of medication blocks rheumatoid inflammation by targeting specific immune cells.
Biologics:
- Anakinra (Kineret)
- Adalimumab (Humira)
And many more!
Physical therapy can help manage pain and potentially improve function in your joints. A physical therapist may use techniques such as ice, heat, massage ,and gentle range-of-motion exercises. Physical therapists can also teach you how to properly use assistive devices or adaptive equipment that will make it easier for you to perform daily tasks.
Exercise for rheumatoid arthritis can often be too painful. Doctors often recommend injections of corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid to reduce rheumatoid arthritis pain and swelling in your joints.
Corticosteroids:
- Cortisone (Deltasone, Liquid Pred)
- Hydrocortisone (Cortef)
- Dexamethasone Intensol
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most commonly used medications for treating rheumatoid arthritis . Antidepressants are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis by controlling pain and inflammation.
Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs:
- Corticosteroids (pills, injections)
- Antidepressants (amitriptyline, doxepin, desipramine, nortriptyline)
- Immunosuppressant medications (azathioprine, cyclophosphamide , methotrexate )
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs; ibuprofen, naproxen, Celebrex)
- Amitriptyline
- Doxepin
- Desipramine
- Naproxen (Aleve)
- Celecoxib (Celebrex)
As it has been previously stated in this article, rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can affect more than just your joints. In some people, the condition can damage wide variety of body systems , including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart and blood vessels.
Eyes:
Iritis (anterior uveitis), iritis (chronic iridocyclitis), scleritis (inflammation of the white part of your eye) and episcleritis (inflammation around the red portion)
Lungs:
Pleurisy (inflammation of lining of your lung), pleural effusion/pneumonia
Heart:
Pericarditis (inflammation surrounding your heart sac), pericardial effusion
With all of this information about the severity of not only your joint pain, but also damage to other areas around your body… why go through with treatment? Well, I hope you’ve learned that there are lots of treatment options out there for people suffering with rheumatoid arthritis. Whether it’s drugs or natural remedies, finding what works best for your condition is key!
Is it Common?
It is the most common rheumatic disease in adults. Around 1% of people worldwide have rheumatoid arthritis at some point in their lives. In Europe alone, about 1 million people have rheumatoid arthritis .
In rheumatoid arthritis sufferers develop antibodies against proteins called small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNP). These antibodies cause inflammation and pain by attacking healthy tissue around them. If you haven’t come across RA before, here are the basics:
What causes rheumatoid arthritis?
No one knows for sure what causes RA. Some people are more likely to get rheumatoid arthritis than others. Recent research suggests that rheumatoid arthritis may be linked to parasites in the intestine, particularly an infection with the worm Strongyloides stercoralis .
It is not yet clear whether rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition or not. We do know that your immune system produces antibodies against rheumatoid factor , which attack RA sufferers’ healthy tissue around them.
What are the signs of rheumatoid arthritis?
RA usually affects your hands and feet first. This may cause pain, stiffness, swelling and redness in the joints. Gradually rheumatoid arthritis can damage other parts of your body , including your:
- Muscles
- Lungs
- Heart
- Eyes
- Liver
- Nervous system (brain and spinal cord)
If rheumatoid arthritis is left untreated, it can lead to rheumatoid arthritis complications . These rheumatoid arthritis complications include osteoporosis , hypertension (high blood pressure) and cancer . If you have rheumatoid arthritis disease or know someone suffering from rheumatoid arthritis than this article on rheumatoid arthritis treatment at home will help you out.
Here you can find some rheumatoid arthritis symptoms:
– Morning stiffness of RA joints (for at least one hour) for RA sufferers. This rheumatoid arthritis symptom may improve with movement and generally lasts for longer than 30 minutes
– Swollen rheumatoic arthritis joints that are warm to the touch, also known as RA inflammation or rheumatism
– Painful rheumatoic arthritis joints which you can’t straighten out fully (known as rhematiod arthritis deformity), especially first thing in the morning
– RA fatigue where it becomes harder to carry out everyday rheumatoid arthritis tasks like washing and rheumatic arthritis dressing.
– Feeling rheumatoid arthritis sick, with rheumatoid r syndrome or rheumatoid arthritis r symptom of weakness, weight loss and rheumatism anorexia (loss of appetite)
– Dryness in your eyes and mouth, as well as rheumatoid arthritis dry skin . RA rash can also be a sign of rheumatoid arthritis.
– Fever, which may be accompanied by chills and night sweats which is known as rheumatoid arthritis fever .
If you notice any of these symptoms it is best to see a doctor for a diagnosis . This article on home treatment of rheumatoid arthritis will help RA patients in rheumatoid arthritis recovery.
Now you know the basics, let’s get RA natural treatment at home!
Rheumatoid Arthritis Natural Treatment At Home
Although RA may not be cured RA natural treatment can help to ease your RA symptoms and lower your RA pain. There are a rhematrois amount of ways to naturally manage rhematic arthrits using treatments such as diet, supplementation and exercise. In this article I will cover all of these areas in detail so you can find relief from rheumatica arthritis for good!
What is rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid rheumatica arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune rhematial arthritis condition rheatmatic arthrits in rhemtid arthritis which the rheumatica arthritis immune system attacks the rhematitis joints, causing inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis can also affect other body systems, such as rhematic arthrits your lungs , heart and eyes .
How to control rheumatoid arthritis without taking medication?
Controlling RA without medication is possible when you eat well and take supplements . You should also try exercises that will help strengthen your muscles and improve mobility for rhematic arthrits patients. The following natural treatments at home for RA will help ease rhematic arthrits inflammation, RA pain, RA fatigue and rhematioid rthritis in joints.
Diet for rhematioid arthritis
A healthy diet is the best way to control rhemtaiatid arthritis. Here are some foods that can help rheumatica arthritis sufferers:
– Omega 3 oils can be found in fish oil supplements which you can take daily. They are known to reduce inflammation , ease joint pain and prevent rhematic arthrits patients from developing heart disease .
– Vitamin D has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties which may decrease your rhematic arthrits rheumatoid r symptom severity.
– Green leafy vegetables are rhematic arthritis good for RA sufferers as they contain rhematiod arthritis vitamins and minerals . Aim to eat lots of spinach , broccoli rheumatica arthritis cabbage and swiss chard and limit your intake rheumatoic arthritis refined sugar and high carbohydrate products.
– Herbal remedies such as turmeric can be effective natural treatments at home for rhematic arthrits patients. It is known that curcumin (the active ingredient in turmeric) has anti inflammatory properties which may reduce rhematoid arthritis symptoms such as pain, morning stiffness and rheumatica arthritis fatigue.
Supplementation for Rheumatoid rheumatica arthritis
Supplements rhematioid rheumatoid arthritis such as Omega 3 oils and curcumin (the active rhematic arthrits ingredient in turmeric) can be effective RA treatments at home. You should try to incorporate these rhematroid arthritis natural remedies into your daily routine along with eating a healthy diet rhematis arthritis and taking regular exercise.
Exercise for rheumatoid arthritis patients
Rheumatoid arthritis patients can experience RA relief with regular exercise. According to the Arthritis Foundation, rheumatoid arthritis exercises such as walking and low-impact aerobics strengthen muscles and improve range of motion (ROM), which in turn reduce RA pain and inflammation .
Exercise for rheumatoid arthritis patients:
What kind of exercise is best?
The Arthritis Foundation says that rheumatoid arthritis exercises should be done three times a week for about 30 minutes each time. Since rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis can cause fatigue , it is important to monitor energy level during the workout session so the patient does not overwork herself or himself.
Exercise rheumatoid arthritis patients, How often?
The Arthritis Foundation says RA exercises are best done three times a week for 30 minutes each time. If the rheumatoid arthritis patient is to perform rheumatism exercises at home , it’s important to monitor energy level during the workout session so the patient does not overwork herself or himself. The rheumatoid arthritis patient might want to consult her physician about how much exercise is safe for her lifestyle and health condition. For example, if she has rheumatism that affects her lungs, then she will want to limit aerobic activities that tax them, such as brisk walking. Since rheumatoid arthritis can cause fatigue , it’s important to monitor energy level during rheumatoid arthritis exercises.
Rheumatoid arthritis RA relief from exercise
Rheumatoid arthritis relief from RA exercises can come in the form of a decrease RA pain and increase rheumatoid arthritis range of motion . Other benefits include a stronger immune system, improved mood and increased stamina.
The Arthritis Foundation says rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis can cause fatigue, so it’s important to monitor energy level during the workout session so that the patient does not overwork herself or himself. If she has rheumatism that affects her lungs, then she will want to limit aerobic activities that tax them.
She might rheumatoid rheumatism relief from RA exercises at home , so it’s important to monitor energy level during the workout session so the patient does not overwork herself or himself. If her arthritis affects her lungs, for example, then she might want to limit aerobic activities such as brisk walking. She might also want to consult her physician about how much exercise is safe for her lifestyle and health condition.
RA patients can experience RA relief with regular exercise because rheumatic diseases RA can cause fatigue, so it’s important to monitor energy level during the workout session so RA patient not overwork herself or himself.
RA is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can affect more than just your joints.
Arthritis is the most common rheumatic disorder of the human body, with over 100 rheumatic disease conditions identified by doctors. The word rheumatism came from Greek rheumatikos meaning “to flow”. Rheumatology literally means rheum or rheuma = rheumatic diseases or rheuma = fluid in Greek. Treatment for some individuals may depend on what type of arthritis they have. Symptoms vary widely depending on the person but they usually involve pain, swelling and stiffness of one or more joints.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the tissues in the joints, causing inflammation and eventually joint destruction. This inflammatory process RA can lead to RA symptoms like pain, stiffness, warmth, redness and swelling around RA joints. Although RA is considered an autoimmune disease, it does not affect other rheumatic diseases like lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus).
RA affects about 1% of individuals worldwide; however, many people who have RA do not know it because symptoms may be mild or even absent at first. RA typically occurs in people aged between 40-60 years old but can occur in people of any age. It is more common in women RA than men RA.
Although RA can affect anyone, RA can run in the family rheumatic diseases . This means that you are at risk of developing RA if other people in your family have developed rheumatic diseases like RA too. Gene rheumatism tests are available to determine your susceptibility to rheumatic disorders.
Risk factors
Risk factors for RA include female sex, being overweight or obese, smoking cigarettes, poor diet and lack of exercise. Routine vaccinations have also been associated with a lower risk of RA so may be RA prevented by vaccinations.
Rheumatoid arthritis is rheumatic disease that can cause RA symptoms to flare up. Symptoms are rheumatism usually worse in the morning rheumatism and after rest rheumatology . Common rheumatological causing rheumatology joint rheumatology pain include stiffness, swelling of joints, limited range of motion in one or more joints, fatigue and even swollen lymph nodes.
There are several different types of arthritis including osteoarthritis , ankylosing spondylitis, dermatomyositis , gouty arthritis , psoriatic arthritis , systemic lupus erythematosus rheumatoid rheumatism and rheumatoid rheumatism arthritis.
Treatment rheumatic diseases for rheumatoid arthritis can help reduce rheumatology symptoms like fatigue, depression and pain. Rheumatology Treatment may include rheumatological use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease-modifying antirheumatic drug Rheumatology (DMARDs) and other medications such as corticosteroids , methotrexate and biologic drugs . Surgery to replace diseased joints may be required in severe cases rhematoloty of Rheumatology the condition.
Food for RA
One way you can treat arthritis is by eating certain foods that have natural remedies rhematology rheumatology for RA. These Rheumatology foods include Rheumatology fruits and vegetables that are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants which Rheumatology benefit rhematurmology your joints, bones and muscles rhematic diseases .
RA home remedies may also include the use of supplements such as glucosamine rhemorrhagic fever , chondroitin sulfate, fish oil rhematilogy fatty acids, cod liver oils and evening primrose oils which have anti-inflammatory properties.
Some natural remedies for rheumatic diseases can be used to alleviate arthritis symptoms without using medications. Rheumatoid rheumatism arthritis rheumatic rheumatology diseases like rheumatoid arthritis can be prevented by Rheumatology avoiding Rheumatology certain activities and maintaining a healthy weight on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs ).
It is important to note that if rheumatic diseases symptoms worsen, you should seek medical help as soon as possible. Rheumatology treatments for arthritis can slow down the severity rhematokogia of symptoms but cannot cure the condition.
Therefore rhemtological home remedies for arthritis Rheumatology can be especially helpful as an adjunct Rheumatology to rhematic diseases your overall Rheumatology treatment Rheumatology plan.
Rheumatic diseases can be very debilitating and having a good Rheumatology diet, Rheumatology is important for optimal health. The earlier you recognize the symptoms of rheumatic diseases, the sooner you can start taking action and prevent them from coming back.
Most Common Types of Arthritis
If you or someone you know has rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis , gout, lupus or psoriatic arthritis you are not alone. Each year, more than 1.5 million people receive the diagnosis rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 1.3 million have osteoarthritis and another 2-3 million have a form of inflammatory arthritis according to the American College of Rheumatology.
They join a growing population of Americans who suffer from nearly 100 different types of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases that cause pain, inflammation and loss of function in joints, bones muscles and tendons. While rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout and lupus are well known to rheumatologists they can all be very difficult for non- rheumatologists to diagnose.
This became apparent after rheumatologists reviewed the clinical diagnoses of more than 19,000 patients seen in rheumatology clinics between 2000 and 2007.
It was discovered that according to their medical records rheumatologists had only diagnosed the correct diagnosis an average of 65% of the time!
The numbers were far lower when it came to identifying less common rheumatic disorders like Psoriatic Arthritis which rheumatologists correctly diagnosed only 37% of the time, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) at 42%, rheumatic fever at 48% and finally gout at a dismal 55%. Rheumatologists correctly diagnosed osteoarthritis about 90% of the time which is consistent with the high accuracy rate rheumatologists typically achieve when diagnosing RA.
Common Types of Arthritis (Top 5)
These five rheumatic diseases tend to get all or most of the attention but there are 98 other rheumatic conditions that cause joint, muscle and tendon inflammation. The following list includes some less common types of arthritis:
Ankylosing spondylitis; Behcet’s disease; Carpal tunnel syndrome; Chondrocalcinosis; Fibromyalgia/myofascial pain syndrome; Giant cell arteritis; Hyperostosis; Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA); Legg-Calve-Perthes disease; Lichen planus; Lyme disease; Osteoporosis; Periodic fever syndrome (PFAPA), Psoriatic arthritis; Raynaud’s phenomenon and disease.
Arthritis: Types of arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a rheumatic disease that can affect the skin, joints and other organs in the body. As RA advances, it can cause cartilage and bone damage throughout the body. The most common symptoms are rheumatoid nodules, rheumatoid arthritis pain and stiffness in the hands, feet, knees or hips.
Although rheumatoid arthritis can affect any joint, about half of all rheumatoid arthritis occurs on the small joints of the hands and feet where it may produce symmetric swelling or pain with no redness or warmth.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint problem caused by wear and tear on the joint cartilage – the cushion-like tissue that protects ends of bones. This damage causes rheumatoid arthritis pain and stiffness in the joints, particularly those of hands, hips or knees. Osteoarthritis can occur in any joint but is most common in weight bearing joints such as knee, hip, spine and thumb.
Psoriatic arthritis
Many rheumatologists believe psoriasis is a form of inflammatory arthritis; others consider them separate diseases with overlapping features and risk factors. Psoriatic arthritis (PSA) affects up to 30% of people who have psoriasis and up to 10% who have rheumatoid arthritis.
While rheumat arthritis attacks synovium (lining of rheumatoid arthritis joints), psoriasis appears to attack skin and joint tissue (tenia) causing rheumatoid arthritis pain, stiffness, swelling and rheumatoid nodules.
Gout
Gout is an inflammatory rheumatic disease that causes painful attacks of red, tender, hot swollen joints. Fluid collects around the joint during an attack which can last up to three weeks or longer if untreated. Gout affects about one in 50 men who are older than 30 years old but women are affected equally as often as men.
The only definitive way for rheumatologists to diagnose gout rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis is by examining fluid from a chronic gouty arthritis – usually the big toe rheumatoid arthritis rheumatoid arthritis rheumatoid rheumatism rheumatic rhematoid diagnosise the doctor.
Lupus
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic rheumatic disease that causes pain and stiffness in the joints, skin rashes, fatigue, fever, mouth ulcers and hair loss. The central feature of SLE is inflammation – it literally means “to boil over” – which results from an overactive immune system attacking itself as well as surrounding tissues and organs such as kidneys and brain.
Unlike other types of arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis, there are no known environmental triggers for lupus rheumatoid arthritis rheumatism rhematoid rhematic rhematoid rhemotid diagnosise the doctor.
Lupus rheumatoid arthritis rhematoids rhemotoid diagnosise the doctor can affect any joint, but is most common in the joints of the hands rheumatoid arthritis rheumatism rhematoid rhematic rhematoid rhemotid diagnosise the doctor.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main cause of rheumatoid arthritis?
Is RA caused by stress?
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