Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Rheumatoid arthritis is an immune system condition, or “autoimmune disorder,” that causes inflammation of the lining of the joints. It may also affect the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, blood, and nerves. Although RA symptoms can come and go, the disease can worsen over time and may never go away. Early, aggressive treatment is key to slowing or stopping it.
symptoms
Joint inflammation from RA comes with pain, warmth, and swelling. The inflammation is typically symmetrical, occurring on both sides of the body at the same time (such as the wrists, knees, or hands). Other symptoms of RA include joint stiffness, particularly in the morning or after periods of inactivity; ongoing fatigue, and low-grade fever. Symptoms typically develop gradually over years, but they can come on rapidly for some people.
It usually strikes between ages 30-60, but younger and older people can get it. Smokers are more likely to get the disease. Chances are more if a relative has it for you to develop the disease.
Some people may have a genetic risk for it that gets triggered by a particular infection that experts haven’t yet identified.Inflammation of the lining of the joints can destroy cartilage and bone, deforming the affected joints. As the condition progresses, joints can become painful and not work as well.
How RA affects the body
RA can affect organs and areas of the body other than the joints, including:
Diagnosis
As symptoms may come and go, diagnosing RA in its early stages is challenging. If you have these symptoms, your doctor may order further tests:
Treatment
There is no cure, treatment can lower joint inflammation and pain, prevent joint damage, and help keep your joints working. You should start ASAP. Your doctor will make a plan based on your particular case, including your age, affected joints, and how severe the disease is. It will include medication and exercise to strengthen muscles around the joints. Some people need surgery. Type of treatment will vary according to each person's needs and what helps the most- either moist heat, acupuncture, and relaxation. At times, supplements may help, which the doctor may decide.
Some foods may worse RA- saturated fats, tomatoes, citrus fruits, potatoes, coffee and dairy products. Omega 3 fatty acids may be helpful to some.
Light exercises like walking, stretching, swimming may be helpful, but when there is flare-up, it is better to rest before you resume your exercise.
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Rheumatoid arthritis is an immune system condition, or “autoimmune disorder,” that causes inflammation of the lining of the joints. It may also affect the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, blood, and nerves. Although RA symptoms can come and go, the disease can worsen over time and may never go away. Early, aggressive treatment is key to slowing or stopping it.
symptoms
Joint inflammation from RA comes with pain, warmth, and swelling. The inflammation is typically symmetrical, occurring on both sides of the body at the same time (such as the wrists, knees, or hands). Other symptoms of RA include joint stiffness, particularly in the morning or after periods of inactivity; ongoing fatigue, and low-grade fever. Symptoms typically develop gradually over years, but they can come on rapidly for some people.
It usually strikes between ages 30-60, but younger and older people can get it. Smokers are more likely to get the disease. Chances are more if a relative has it for you to develop the disease.
Some people may have a genetic risk for it that gets triggered by a particular infection that experts haven’t yet identified.Inflammation of the lining of the joints can destroy cartilage and bone, deforming the affected joints. As the condition progresses, joints can become painful and not work as well.
How RA affects the body
RA can affect organs and areas of the body other than the joints, including:
- Rheumatoid nodules form lumps under the skin and in internal organs
- Sjogren's syndrome: inflammation and damage of the glands of the eyes and mouth; other parts of the body can also be affected
- Pleuritis: inflammation of the lining of the lungs
- Pericarditis: inflammation of the lining surrounding the heart
- Anemia: not enough healthy red blood cells
- Felty syndrome: not enough white blood cells. Also linked to ah enlarged spleen.
- Vasculitis: blood vessel inflammation, which can hamper blood supply to tissues
Diagnosis
As symptoms may come and go, diagnosing RA in its early stages is challenging. If you have these symptoms, your doctor may order further tests:
- Morning joint stiffness
- Swelling/fluid around several joints at the same time
- Swelling in the wrist, hand, or finger joints
- Same joints affected on both sides of your body
- Firm lumps under the skin (rheumatoid nodules)
Treatment
There is no cure, treatment can lower joint inflammation and pain, prevent joint damage, and help keep your joints working. You should start ASAP. Your doctor will make a plan based on your particular case, including your age, affected joints, and how severe the disease is. It will include medication and exercise to strengthen muscles around the joints. Some people need surgery. Type of treatment will vary according to each person's needs and what helps the most- either moist heat, acupuncture, and relaxation. At times, supplements may help, which the doctor may decide.
Some foods may worse RA- saturated fats, tomatoes, citrus fruits, potatoes, coffee and dairy products. Omega 3 fatty acids may be helpful to some.
Light exercises like walking, stretching, swimming may be helpful, but when there is flare-up, it is better to rest before you resume your exercise.
Labels: acupuncture, citrus fruits, Coffee, moist heat, omega 3 fatty acids, potatoes, rheumatoid arthritis, saturated fats, stretching, Tomatoes, walking swimming
posted by G S Iyer at 7:43 AM
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