Rheumatoid Arthritis- all that you want to know
Rheumatologist explained different aspects involved in rheumatoid arthritis.
1) What is rheumatoid arthritis (RA)?
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease which affects your joint and other systems. It starts when your immune system begins to attack your own tissues.
Leading to damage to the lining of your joints. As a result, one's joints may become red, warm, swollen and painful It affects joint on both sides of the body, such as both hands, both wrists, both knees. This symmetry helps to set it apart from other types of arthritis. Over time, RA can affect other body parts and systems like eyes, heart, lungs and skin.
2) How is RA different from osteoarthritis (OA)?
There are many similarities between OA and RA, including joint pain, and inflammation. However, between joints due to wear and tear, while RA is a result of an autoimmune attack on joints leading to damage of the lining of the joint, ( synovium).
OA usually presents asymmetrically, meaning only 1 side of the body may be affected at a time, while RA is mostly symmetrical joint involvement. It is important to differentiate one disease for available treatment options for OA are different from those of RA.
3) What are the symptoms of RA?
There are certain joint symptoms which may give clues to RA like-
a) joint pain and swelling
b) redness, warmth or stiffness of joint for 6 weeks or longer
c) morning stiffness for 30 minutes or longer in the joints
d) small joints ( wrists, certain joints of the hands and feet) are affected
e) same joints on both sides of the body are affected.
Along with pain, many people experience fatigue, loss of appetite and a low-grade fever. Other symptoms could be skin rash, blurry vision, dry mouth, cough etc.
4) How is RA diagnosed?
No single test can confirm RA. To make a proper diagnosis, your doctor will ask questions about personal and family medical history and perform physical exam looking at each point. Also some blood tests like ESR, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are measured as these are markers of inflammation. Also testing for Rheumatoid Factor (RF) and Anti-Cytic Citrullinated peptide (ANti CCP) are measured, RF is an antibody found in about 80% of people with RA during the course of their disease Anti-CCP occurs primarily in patients with RA. An X-ray of the joint is usually done to look for joint damage.
5) What are the possible treatment options?
With newer drugs being available, treatment options are varied. Treatment goals are to 1st control the pain and swelling and 2nd to stop the joint damage. Certain drugs like NSAIDS would ease the symptoms, other drugs called DMARDs ( Disease modifying agents) help in controlling the disease. Treatment options are assessed at various stages of the disease.
6) What are the risk factors for developing RA?
There are specific causes to pin point for development of RA. But certain factors can pose a risk.
Age- While RA can strike at any age, the onset of symptoms usually begins between the ages of 40 and 60. Moreover, the risk will increase the older you get .Overall, the odds of developing.
Gender-Women are 3 times likely to get RA than men. This could possibly due to female hormones like estrogen.
Genetics- If you've a parent or sibling with RA, your risk of developing the disease is 3 times greater than the general population.
Others include- Lifestyle factors are those that are modifiable. For instance- smoking, obesity, physical and emotional stress.
7) Diet in RA?
Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids like fatty fishes, including salmon, chia seeds, flax seeds, walnuts. Antioxidants, such as vitamins A, C and E, and selenium, may also help reduce inflammation like berries, dark chocolate, spinach, kidney beans. Diet rich in high fiber like fresh fruit. Strawberries may be particularly beneficial.
8) What are the complications of RA?
Complications include joint damage in the form of crippling of the finger and wrist joint leading to deformity. Others are weakening of the bone ( osteoporosis), red eye, lumps and bumps on the skin, anemia, shortness of breath, leg cramps, fatigue, low moods etc.
9) Can RA affect children?
Yes, it can. Juvenile RA is a known entity, called Juvenile idiopathic arthritis. It causes joint pain and swelling. It typically starts before the age of 16. Symptoms are different among children. Typically, joints become swollen, stiff, painful and warm to touch. They may start as early as 6 months of age. Your child may limp, especially in the morning when stiffness is the worse. He or she may have lower back pain and avoid normal activities. Symptoms may come and go.
10) Any tips for coping up with RA?
RA is more than just a disease of the joint It's a life-changing event- there are few things to keep in mind to help you feel better. Taking your medication at same time each day.
Address pain, if your joint pains after any activity, please rest.
Attending regular visits to your doctor.
Regular physical exercises and stretching
Taking rest between activities
Getting emotional support from your friends and relatives.
Change positions often. When writing, release your grip every 10 minutes or so to keep your hand from stiffening up. When watching television or working at your laptop, get up at regular intervals to stretch your legs.
Find tools you can use. There are plenty of utensils and tools that are made for people with arthritis.
1) What is rheumatoid arthritis (RA)?
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease which affects your joint and other systems. It starts when your immune system begins to attack your own tissues.
Leading to damage to the lining of your joints. As a result, one's joints may become red, warm, swollen and painful It affects joint on both sides of the body, such as both hands, both wrists, both knees. This symmetry helps to set it apart from other types of arthritis. Over time, RA can affect other body parts and systems like eyes, heart, lungs and skin.
2) How is RA different from osteoarthritis (OA)?
There are many similarities between OA and RA, including joint pain, and inflammation. However, between joints due to wear and tear, while RA is a result of an autoimmune attack on joints leading to damage of the lining of the joint, ( synovium).
OA usually presents asymmetrically, meaning only 1 side of the body may be affected at a time, while RA is mostly symmetrical joint involvement. It is important to differentiate one disease for available treatment options for OA are different from those of RA.
3) What are the symptoms of RA?
There are certain joint symptoms which may give clues to RA like-
a) joint pain and swelling
b) redness, warmth or stiffness of joint for 6 weeks or longer
c) morning stiffness for 30 minutes or longer in the joints
d) small joints ( wrists, certain joints of the hands and feet) are affected
e) same joints on both sides of the body are affected.
Along with pain, many people experience fatigue, loss of appetite and a low-grade fever. Other symptoms could be skin rash, blurry vision, dry mouth, cough etc.
4) How is RA diagnosed?
No single test can confirm RA. To make a proper diagnosis, your doctor will ask questions about personal and family medical history and perform physical exam looking at each point. Also some blood tests like ESR, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are measured as these are markers of inflammation. Also testing for Rheumatoid Factor (RF) and Anti-Cytic Citrullinated peptide (ANti CCP) are measured, RF is an antibody found in about 80% of people with RA during the course of their disease Anti-CCP occurs primarily in patients with RA. An X-ray of the joint is usually done to look for joint damage.
5) What are the possible treatment options?
With newer drugs being available, treatment options are varied. Treatment goals are to 1st control the pain and swelling and 2nd to stop the joint damage. Certain drugs like NSAIDS would ease the symptoms, other drugs called DMARDs ( Disease modifying agents) help in controlling the disease. Treatment options are assessed at various stages of the disease.
6) What are the risk factors for developing RA?
There are specific causes to pin point for development of RA. But certain factors can pose a risk.
Age- While RA can strike at any age, the onset of symptoms usually begins between the ages of 40 and 60. Moreover, the risk will increase the older you get .Overall, the odds of developing.
Gender-Women are 3 times likely to get RA than men. This could possibly due to female hormones like estrogen.
Genetics- If you've a parent or sibling with RA, your risk of developing the disease is 3 times greater than the general population.
Others include- Lifestyle factors are those that are modifiable. For instance- smoking, obesity, physical and emotional stress.
7) Diet in RA?
Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids like fatty fishes, including salmon, chia seeds, flax seeds, walnuts. Antioxidants, such as vitamins A, C and E, and selenium, may also help reduce inflammation like berries, dark chocolate, spinach, kidney beans. Diet rich in high fiber like fresh fruit. Strawberries may be particularly beneficial.
8) What are the complications of RA?
Complications include joint damage in the form of crippling of the finger and wrist joint leading to deformity. Others are weakening of the bone ( osteoporosis), red eye, lumps and bumps on the skin, anemia, shortness of breath, leg cramps, fatigue, low moods etc.
9) Can RA affect children?
Yes, it can. Juvenile RA is a known entity, called Juvenile idiopathic arthritis. It causes joint pain and swelling. It typically starts before the age of 16. Symptoms are different among children. Typically, joints become swollen, stiff, painful and warm to touch. They may start as early as 6 months of age. Your child may limp, especially in the morning when stiffness is the worse. He or she may have lower back pain and avoid normal activities. Symptoms may come and go.
10) Any tips for coping up with RA?
RA is more than just a disease of the joint It's a life-changing event- there are few things to keep in mind to help you feel better. Taking your medication at same time each day.
Address pain, if your joint pains after any activity, please rest.
Attending regular visits to your doctor.
Regular physical exercises and stretching
Taking rest between activities
Getting emotional support from your friends and relatives.
Change positions often. When writing, release your grip every 10 minutes or so to keep your hand from stiffening up. When watching television or working at your laptop, get up at regular intervals to stretch your legs.
Find tools you can use. There are plenty of utensils and tools that are made for people with arthritis.
THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE
HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.
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Labels: affects joints, autoimmune attack, C & E, chronic diseases, damage, eyes, heart, immune system, juvenile arthritis, lungs, omega -3s, Osteoarthritis, painful, rheumatoid arthritis, skin, stiffness, Vitamins A
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