What your joints need

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the joints.  Autoimmune diseases are illnesses where the body attacks its own immune system.  The autoimmune system is made up of cells that destroy invaders such as infections.  Patients with autoimmune diseases have antibodies in their blood that attack their body tissues that are usually the sight of inflammation; this can occur in organs as well, not just the joints.  RA can affect the eyes, skin, heart, and lungs.  Arthritis means joint inflammation whereas rheumatoid arthritis causes redness, swelling, stiffness, and pain in the joint.  Inflammation in the joints causes swelling, pain, and tenderness to the touch and during movement.  It is possible to have a warm feeling at the sight of the inflammation and restricted movement.  RA can also cause inflammation in tendons, ligaments, and muscles around the joints.  

Rheumatoid arthritis is common in the United States affecting more than one million people and it affects all races equally, though women are three times more likely than men to suffer from this disease.  It can affect someone at any age, but typically occurs after the age of 40 and before 60.  Nobody knows the cause of RA, but scientists suggest it is genetically inherited.  Some environmental factors increase your chances of getting RA such as smoking tobacco.  

When diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis, there isn’t any one test that will give a definitive answer.  Since there isn’t any specific test that will diagnose RA your doctor may order a few blood tests or X-rays.  A couple possible blood tests include the Complete Blood Count (CBC) and the Erythrocyte Sedimentary Rate (ESR or sed rate).  The CBC measures your three types of blood cells: white blood cells which fight infection, red blood cells that carry oxygen, and the platelets that help blood clot.  A low red blood cell count is common among people with RA; this is also a sign of anemia which leads to feeling fatigued.  Your platelet count would be elevated if you have inflammation in your body.  The ESR test measures the rate at which your blood cells fall to the bottom of a test tube.  If you have a high sedimentary rate, it means you have inflammation in your body, the higher the rate the worse the RA.  If your sedimentary rate is high your doctor would have it checked regularly.  If these tests come back with thin normal range and you are still having symptoms your doctor could order X-rays.

There isn’t a cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), but it can be treated according to each person. The goal of treatment is to reduce inflammation and pain, maximize joint function, and prevent joint destruction.  It is best to start treatment right after being diagnosed.  Aggressive management can prevent work disability, stop damage to joints, and improve mobility.  Aggressive management consists of medications, rest, joint-strengthening exercises, joint protection, and patient education.  Treatment depends on the age of the person, health, which joints are involved, and how progressed the disease is.

Description

Unlike osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory, not degenerative, disease. It first appears as an inflammation in a joint’s synovium, the membrane that lines and lubricates the joint. Once inflamed, the membrane thickens and become sore and swollen-which in turn may limit the affected joint’s movement. In time, this inflammation spreads to other parts of the affected joint, causing even more stiffness and pain. Eventually, the inflammation can spread to organs, such as the heart, lungs, and eyes. Its ability to spread throughout the body makes rheumatoid arthritis a systemic disease-a disease that affects the entire body.

Inflammation is not a harmful state, per se. It’s actually your body’s normal response to infections and injuries, caused when your white cells battle an invading organism. Typically, the inflammation subsides after the infection is wiped out. However, with rheumatoid arthritis, the autoimmune system seems to fight the body instead of protecting it.

While the disease can strike at any time, it usually occurs between the ages 20 and 50. It affects approximately three times as many women as men.

Unlike illnesses that have a set progression of symptoms, rheumatoid arthritis is unpredictable. What symptoms appear, how often they appear, and what joints and organs are affected vary widely, depending on the individual. In some sufferers, rheumatoid arthritis will flare up occasionally, only to be followed by periods of normal health. Others experience recurring attacks without returning to a state of full wellness in between. Many experience a slow and steady increase in the severity of their symptoms over time.

Some people with rheumatoid arthritis develop small lumps under the skin near the elbow, ears, or nose, or on the back of the scalp, over the knee, or under the toes. Called rheumatoid nodules, these painless and non-problematic bumps range from the size of a pea to the size of a Ping-Pong ball.

While medical experts have not identified a single cause for rheumatoid arthritis, possibilities include heredity, viral or bacterial infection, and emotional stress.

Signs and Symptoms

Pain, swelling, redness, and warmth in the affected joint-most commonly affects the smaller joints of your hands and feet, but elbows, knees, and ankles can be affected

Usually affects joints symmetrically (both hands, for example)

Overall stiffness and achiness, especially after periods of stillness, such as sleeping or long plane rides

Symptoms are worse in the early morning and lessen as the day progresses. General malaise/weakness

Anemia

Pain usually occurs during rest and movement

Conventional Medical Treatment

A series of blood tests, along with a thorough physical exam and medical history, can confirm whether you have rheumatoid arthritis. X-rays may also be helpful. Strategies for treating rheumatoid arthritis differ, depending on whether it is active or in remission. During a flare-up, a combination of rest, heat, and medication is prescribed. Anti-inflammatory drugsaspirin, in particular are the first line of treatment and may ease symptoms. There are several other medications used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Your doctor may prescribe gold salts, penicellamine, methotrexate, azathioprine, or anti-malarials, depending on how your symptoms progress. Corticosteroids can temporarily relieve pain and inflammation, but they are usually reserved for those with more serious disease.

Physical therapy plays a major role in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. It is most effective when swelling and inflammation of the joint are suppressed with medications. Physical therapy can reduce deformity and restore function.

In severe cases, surgical removal of affected joint lining can prevent damage to other joint structures and cartilage. Another surgical procedure fuses the painful, uncushioned bones together but is only performed on the wrist, feet, ankles, and thumbs because it restricts motion. Tendon transfer is another surgical option for repairing damaged tendons and ligaments it is performed most frequently on the hands. Another option is arthroplasty, or joint replacement, which is usually performed on knees, hips, and shoulders.

There are millions of people all over the world who suffers from arthritis. In fact, it is one of the common causes of disability in the US alone, hindering the activities of nearly 20 millions adults.

Arthritis is a condition that affects the joints of the body; it is the inflammation of joints due to immune system reaction, infections, or abnormal deposits of materials. The body’s autoimmune system attacks the body instead of protecting it from harmful viruses and bacteria.

Inflammation is the body’s defence mechanism to ward off harmful elements, in the case of arthritis the immune system produces an excessive amount of these cells and attacks the joints and the surrounding area making the particular joint of the body inflamed and swelling. Though there is no known cure or treatment that will correct these bodily reactions, there are working programs that aim to help patients with this disease to cope, and improve their quality of life.

Education and awareness program are also included in the program so that people will know what other people are going through. Along with these programs are self-management programs that aim to help patients to cope with the pain, reduce swelling, and give relief to patient who is suffering from arthritis.

There are dozens of arthritis pain relief methods that are out in the market today, you can choose from natural, chemical, ancient medicine or alternative medication. Just make sure that your doctor knows which medications or alternative medications you are taking, your doctor can help you in choosing which medication is appropriate from your condition.

Here is an overview of arthritis pain relief:

1. Creams, liniments, lotions and salves – this topical pain relief are often the first choice of people with mild arthritis. It provides instant relief and soothing and calming effect.

2. Acupuncture – this ancient technique of healing is another popular form of arthritis pain relief. It does not only relief pain but it also reduce inflammation, swelling and improve blood circulation. This holistic approach to pain management are now becoming popular because it gives instant relief and it is said to improve the general well being of the patient and lessen the recurrence of arthritis.

3. Anti-inflammatory drugs – these painkillers can be prescribed or bought over the counter. It is used to relieve the symptoms of arthritis such as swelling, pain, and stiffness. Painkillers are also known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAID.

4. Corticosteroid or steroids are anti-inflammatory drugs that help relieve pain and swelling. Although this is an effective treatment, this drug is rarely given due to its side effects. Often the doctor who administers this drug injects the affected area with steroids so that the dose that is administered is low.

5. Hyaluronan Injections – is a medication that reduces the pain, inflammation and swelling. The medicine is injected directly to the joints such as the knee, thus increasing the mobility of the joint.

6. Narcotic Pain Relievers – this medication only address the pain but not the inflammation and swelling of the joints. This medication is combined with other medication to achieve and enhance its effect. However, this type of medication can make the patient drug dependent with prolonged used.

For people with arthritis that regularly exercise and undergo some diet modification achieved some significant benefits in their overall health, like reduce pain, because exercise releases the natural pain reliever of the body, the endorphins, it also improves physical function by strengthening your muscles and increase flexibility.