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Arthritis is a general term that describes inflammation in joints. Inflammation is characterized by redness, warmth, swelling, and pain in the joint.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of chronic (ongoing) arthritis that occurs in joints on both sides of the body (such as both hands, wrists, and/or knees). These symmetric multiple joint involvements help distinguish rheumatoid arthritis from other types of arthritis.
In addition to affecting the joints, rheumatoid arthritis may occasionally affect organs outside of the joints including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, blood, nerves, or kidneys.
RA is the most common form of autoimmune arthritis, affecting more than 0.8-1% Indian population. Of these, about 75 percent are women. 1–3 percent of women may get rheumatoid arthritis in their lifetime.
The disease most often begins between the fourth and sixth decades of life. However, RA can start at any age ; young children and the elderly can also develop rheumatoid arthritis.
Treatments have improved greatly and help many of those affected. For most people with RA, early treatment can control joint pain and swelling, and lessen joint damage.
Perform low-impact aerobic exercises, such as walking, and exercises to boost muscle strength. This will improve your overall health and reduce pressure on your joints.
Studies show that people who receive early treatment for RA feel better sooner and more often, and are more likely to lead an active life. They also are less likely to have the type of joint damage that leads to joint replacement.
The exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown. However, it is believed to be caused by a combination of genetic factors, abnormal immunity, environmental factors, and hormonal factors.
Normally, the immune system protects the body from disease. In rheumatoid arthritis, something triggers the immune system to attack the joints and sometimes other organs.
Suspected triggering factors for rheumatoid arthritis are infections, cigarette smoking, and stress physical or emotional.
Gender, heredity, and genes largely determine a person’s risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.
In RA, the focus of the inflammation is in the synovial, the tissue that lines the joint. Immune cells release inflammation-causing chemicals. These chemicals can damage cartilage (the tissue that cushions joints) and bone.
Joint pain RA is a chronic (long-term) disease that causes pain, stiffness, swelling, and limited motion and function of many joints. While RA can affect any joint, the small joints in the hands and feet tend to be involved most often.
Stiffness – especially in the morning or after sitting for long periods
Inflammation sometimes can affect organs as well, for instance, the eyes or lungs.
Other signs and symptoms that can occur in RA include: Loss of energy, Low fevers, Loss of appetite, Dry eyes and mouth from a related health problem, Sjogren’s syndrome
Firm lumps called rheumatoid nodules, which grow beneath the skin in places such as the elbow and hands
Rheumatoid arthritis affects each individual differently. In most people, joint symptoms may develop gradually over several years. In other people, rheumatoid arthritis may progress rapidly.
A few people may have rheumatoid arthritis for a limited period and then enter remission (a time with no symptoms).
RA can be hard to detect because it may begin with subtle symptoms, such as achy joints or a little stiffness in the morning. Also, many diseases behave like RA early on.
Diagnosis of RA depends on the symptoms and results of a physical exam, such as warmth, swelling, and pain in the joints.
Some blood tests also can help confirm RA.
Anemia (a low red blood cell count)
Rheumatoid factor (an antibody, or blood protein, found in about 80 percent of patients with RA in time, but as few as 30 percent at the start of arthritis)
Antibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptides (pieces of proteins), or anti-CCP for short (found in 60–70 percent of patients with RA)
Elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (a blood test that, in most patients with RA, confirms the amount of inflammation in the joints)
X-rays can help in detecting RA, but may not show anything abnormal in early arthritis. Even so, these first X-rays may be useful later to show if the disease is progressing. Often, MRI and ultrasound scanning are done to help judge the severity of RA.
There is no single test that confirms an RA diagnosis for most patients with this disease. (This is above all true for patients who have had symptoms for fewer than six months.) Rather, a doctor makes the diagnosis by looking at the symptoms and results from the physical exam, lab tests, and X-rays.
The goals of rheumatoid arthritis treatment are as follows:
To control a patient’s signs and symptoms
To prevent joint damage
To maintain the patient’s quality of life and ability to function
Joint damage generally occurs within the first two years of diagnosis so it is important to early diagnose and treat RA in the so-called “window of opportunity” to prevent long-term consequences.
Non-pharmacologic therapies include treatments other than medications and are the foundation of treatment for all people with rheumatoid arthritis.
Rest
When joints are inflamed, the risk of injury to the joint itself and the adjacent soft tissue structures (such as tendons and ligaments) is high. This is why inflamed joints should be rested.
However, physical fitness should be maintained as much as possible. At the same time, maintaining a good range of motion in your joints and good fitness overall is important in coping with the systemic features of the disease.
Pain and stiffness often prompt people with rheumatoid arthritis to become inactive. However, inactivity can lead to a loss of joint motion, contractions, and a loss of muscle strength. These, in turn, decrease joint stability and further increase fatigue.
Regular exercise especially in a controlled fashion with the help of physical therapists and occupational therapists can help prevent and reverse these effects. Types of exercises that are beneficial include range of motion exercises to preserve and restore joint motion, exercises to increase strength and exercises to increase endurance (walking, swimming, and cycling).
Physical and occupational therapy can relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and help preserve joint structure and function for patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Occupational therapists also focus on helping people with rheumatoid arthritis to be able to continue to actively participate in work and recreational activity with special attention to maintaining the good function of the hands and arms.
Weight loss may be recommended for overweight and obese people to reduce stress on inflamed joints.
People with rheumatoid arthritis have a higher risk of developing coronary artery disease. High blood cholesterol is one risk factor for a coronary disease that can respond to changes in diet.
A nutritionist can recommend specific foods to eat or avoid to achieve a desirable cholesterol level.
Changes in diet have been investigated as treatments for rheumatoid arthritis, but no diet is proven to cure rheumatoid arthritis.
No herbal or nutritional supplements, such as cartilage or collagen, can cure rheumatoid arthritis. These treatments can be dangerous and are not usually recommended.
Smoking is a risk factor for rheumatoid arthritis and it has been shown that quitting smoking can improve the condition. People who smoke need to quit completely.
Moderate alcohol consumption is not harmful to rheumatoid arthritis, although it may increase the risk of liver damage from some drugs such as methotrexate.
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