Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition that can cause joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. The immune system, the body’s natural self-defense, begins to attack the healthy tissues of a body.
This tissue damage can cause a long-term or permanent pain, instability (imbalance) and deformation of joints. Rheumatoid arthritis can affect other tissues throughout the body and cause organ problems, including lungs, coronary heart, and eyes.
In rheumatoid arthritis, the joints are infected mainly. They deteriorate rapidly, so early prognosis and intensive treatment are very important. The earlier treatment is started, the more likely it is to be effective.
To understand how rheumatoid arthritis develops, people need to understand how normal joints work.
How does a normal joint work?
Two bones meet at a joint; most of our joints are designed so that bones can move in a specific direction and within a specific range. Healthy joints are without damage to bones, cartilage or synovium.
For example, the knee is the largest joint in the body and one of the most difficult joints. It must be strong enough to support our weight, and it must be fixed in such a way that we can stand. A hinge so we can walk and want to bend and twist when running or exercising.
Every bone is protected by cartilage, and the surface of cartilage is very clean and smooth. Cartilage allows the tip of the bone to move to different bones with little or no friction. The joint penetrates the synovium. It contains a viscous liquid to protect bones and joints. The synovial membrane has a strong outer layer that holds the joint in place and prevents the bones from moving too far. Strong ligaments called tendons connect muscle groups to bones. (1)
What happens in a joint suffering from rheumatoid arthritis?
If you have rheumatoid arthritis, your immune system can cause inflammation of the joints or certain joints. Inflammation is usually an important part of the functioning of the immune system.
This allows the body to pump extra fluid and blood to a part of the joint. For example, if your wound is infected, the surrounding skin may swell and change color; however, this joint irritation is unnecessary in rheumatoid arthritis and cause problems.
Once the infection is cleared, the joint capsule will remain stretched around the synovium and may not be able to keep the joint in the correct position, which can cause the joint to become dangerous and move to an abnormal position.
What are the signs and symptoms of Rheumatoid arthritis?
In rheumatoid arthritis, the stage of worsening symptoms is called relapse, and the stage of worsening symptoms is called remission.
The signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are:
- Multiple joint pain or discomfort
- Multiple joint stiffness
- Some joint pain and swelling
- The same symptoms on both sides of the body (including palms or knees)
- Weight
- Weakness
- Feeling tired or exhausted
- Fever
Causes and risk factors of rheumatoid arthritis
The following can play a role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis:
Age: Rheumatoid arthritis affects adults of all ages, although most people are between 40 and 60 years old. Approximately three-quarters of rheumatoid arthritis patients are of surgical age when they are discovered.
Gender: Rheumatoid arthritis is two to three times more likely to occur in women than in men.
Genetics: Rheumatoid arthritis develops from a combination of genetic and environmental factors (including smoking and diet). It is not clear what a genetic hyperlink is, but it is a concept that the relationship between relatives and a certain situation increases the risk of such a disease or condition.
Weight: If you are overweight, your risk of rheumatoid arthritis is much higher than that of a normal weight person.
Smoking: Smoking significantly increases the risk of rheumatoid arthritis. If you want to quit smoking, please visit the non-smoking website.
Diet: There is some evidence that if you eat a lot of pork instead of a balanced diet, your risk of rheumatoid arthritis will be higher.
Treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis treatment can help reduce joint irritation, relieve pain, protect or delay joint damage, reduce disability, and allow you to get as much energy as possible.
There are four major pharmaceutical agents that can be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. They are:
- Analgesics
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID)
- Pain relief anti-inflammatory drugs (DMARD)
- Steroids (also called corticosteroids).
Many patients with rheumatoid arthritis want to take more than one medicine because different pills have different effects.
The drug may be changed from time to time. This may depend on the severity of signs and symptoms, or whether a condition has changed. (Together with medications, lifestyle changes, supportive medications, and surgery) they can reduce the risk of joint damage and limit the effects of the condition.
Treatment by self-care
In addition to taking medications, lifestyle changes can help alleviate the symptoms of Rheumatoid arthritis. Treatment at home can improve your lifestyle. For example, inflammation and pain can be cure by taking a diet rich of antioxidant. Increase the intake of fish, vegetables and fruits. It also helps relieve symptoms.
Other changes in life style that reduce the symptoms
Rest: Tiredness can worsen the symptoms of arthritis and cause attacks. Rest throughout the day and ignore physical activities that put pressure on the joints.
Increase physical activity: Strength of joints can be improved by light exercise and also helps in reducing pain. Light exercise includes walking, swimming and biking.
Hot compress and cold compress: Hot compress relieve joint stiffness, cold compress relieves joint pain.
Try alternative therapy: Try alternative therapy which may include massage and acupuncture. People are cured by using fish omega3 tablet. (2)
References:
- https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/
- https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/rheumatoid-arthritis.html
