What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease that is diagnosed when an individual’s own immune system begins to attack the body’s tissues. This disease causes tissue damage, primarily in the joints and is often very painful. Rheumatoid arthritis affects joints and tissues on both sides of the body, and this is often used to identify and make an accurate rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis. According to a study, the prevalence of Rheumatoid arthritis across the world is 0.24%

Causes

Rheumatoid arthritis causes are not exactly known. However, there are several rheumatoid arthritis risk factors that may increase the likelihood of individuals contracting the disease. Women are believed to be at a higher risk for developing the condition, and those with a family history of rheumatoid arthritis are also more likely to suffer from it. Other risk factors include exposure to certain bacteria and viruses, obesity, smoking, injury, or trauma to a joint or ligament.

Symptoms

For almost all sorts of physical activity, the joints play an important role in assisting movement and performance. Due to rheumatoid arthritis, there are periods of time wherein the person suffers from symptoms that affect joint health, which is often followed by phases of remission where symptoms almost completely disappear. The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis occur in stages known as flares (sudden recurrence), and they are as follows:

• Joint pain: The most common symptom is joint pain that worsens with movement or use. The pain may be during or even after the movement.


• Joint swelling and tenderness: The affected joints often become swollen and may be tender to touch. Redness in the region may also be observed.


• Joint stiffness: Stiffness in the joints is common and is especially observed after periods of rest and minimal movement. This greatly affects the flexibility and range of motion of joints.


• Fatigue, increased temperature, lack of appetite: In severe cases, the individual may also lose his appetite and suffer from a fever and body aches and fatigue.

Treatment

Rheumatoid arthritis treatment may involve medications, injections, surgery and so on that will be recommended by your doctor based on your history and the severity of the condition. Apart from this, some lifestyle changes could help you cope with the condition and ease the symptoms of Rheumatoid arthritis

• Exercise:: Low-impact and low-intensity exercise will improve the range of motion in your joints and also strengthen your muscles. This has the potential to improve your fitness and reduce pain. However, if the pain is unbearable, you should consult a doctor and not exercise unless explicitly allowed to do so.


• Sleep and rest: During flares, you will probably need more rest and sleep. Adequate rest will help alleviate fatigue and pain that are a result of your condition.


• Hot and cold therapy: Hot and cold treatment with alternating cold compresses and hot compresses could alleviate inflammation and help you move better.

When to see a doctor

If you have continuous pain and swelling in your joints over a significant period of time and the condition is so severe that it is affecting your ability to go about your daily life, visit the doctor immediately. The condition must not be taken lightly since it has been observed that in people who are inadequately treated, 60% of diagnosed patients are unable to work for longer than ten years after onset.

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