Rheumatoid Arthritis

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a very common disease of the joints in our body. The other common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis. Here, we focus on rheumatoid arthritis. When an individual suffers from inflamed joints he is said to have rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease.

It is also a chronic disease which lasts for a long time. Rheumatoid arthritis can happen in any of the joints of the human body. Research data shows women to be more prone to rheumatoid arthritis than men with a ratio of 3:1.

Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis

It’s a fact that the exact causes of rheumatoid arthritis are not yet identified by modern science. Various researches show the disease to be genetic in nature.

While some who carry the genes display symptoms, others with similar genes do not. Genes are thought to have triggers which flare up under certain conditions.

Environmental factors, like consumption of tobacco along with diet containing processed foods, saturated fat, high amounts of sugar, are all responsible and contributing factors that cause rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, found in people aged between 30 to 50 years.

Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that can impact more than just the joints in our body. The exact reasons for rheumatoid arthritis remain unknown.

Patients with symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis display signs of loss of appetite, muscle aches with low fever, often confused with other disease. Early identification and treatment are found to be beneficial in curing this disease.

Deformation of affected joints is also possible, if the disease is left untreated. Once deformity sets in, the affected individual often faces difficulty performing simple tasks.

Other rheumatoid arthritis symptoms also include signs of stiffness in joints when one awakens, weight loss and loss of appetite, extreme fatigue or anemia.

Effects can also be felt on mobility of the body. This condition can also have significant adverse effects on different organs of the body.

The skin develops nodules - the lumps of tissues which can occur under the skin in areas like the fingers, forearms, elbows, knuckles and heels besides other pressure points in our body.

Severe effects on the body include eyes as well as heart and blood vessels, which come on suddenly and cause major damage to these parts.

Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Allopathic, naturopathy, homeopathy, as well as rheumatoid arthritis exercises are all part of treatment. But generally, two categories of drugs are used in treatment. Medication is the first line of defense used to alleviate pain and reduce inflammation.

The second type of medications renders effects of remission and prevents further damage to joints. In addition, special exercises for rheumatoid arthritis maybe necessary.

Exercise is useful in strengthening painful joints and help disabled patients in finding ways to manage the painful symptoms.

Alternative treatment for rheumatoid arthritis usually consists of herbs, natural supplements, massage and relaxation.

A successful rheumatoid arthritis treatment involves a working relationship between doctor and patient.