Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an example of an autoimmune disease. With autoimmune conditions, your immune system, which normally fights infection, attacks the lining of your joints. Instead of attacking foreign bodies, it attacks the tissue surrounding the joint.

This causes them to become inflamed. Overtime, the joints can become damaged and stop working properly.

Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis

It is known that the immune system attacks the joints, but it is not yet known what triggers the initial attack.

There is evidence that rheumatoid arthritis can run in a family. It however, does not mean that all will get the condition. Hormones are also another possible cause of the condition. Women are twice as likely as men to get the condition. This may be due to the female hormone, oestrogen.

Each joint is covered by a thin layer of cells called synovium. Antibodies attack the synovium leaving it sore and inflamed. The inflammation causes chemicals to be released which then cause the synovium to thicken. The chemicals cause the joints to lose their shape and alignment, eventually destroying the joint completely.

Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis can cause inflammation in other parts of the body. Most of the time, the symptoms tend to come and go in what is known as “flare ups”. The symptoms become more intense and severe from time to time. Some of the symptoms include:

• Loss of appetite,
• Joint pain and swelling,
• Joint stiffness,
• Generally feeling unwell,
• Warmth and redness,
• Skin nodules, and
• Anemia

The danger of rheumatoid arthritis is that it can cause inflammation of your salivary glands, tear glands, the lining of your heart and lungs and your blood vessels.

Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis. The main aim of treatment is to reduce pain, prevent joint damage, and minimize any disability caused by pain, joint damage or deformity.
Medication

The aim of medication is to relieve symptoms and also to slow down the progression of the condition. Some of the medication includes:

• Analgesics,
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,
• Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, and
• Corticosteroids

Surgery

In very severe cases of the condition, surgery may be required. Arthroplasty can be used to reconstruct or replaced a diseased joint, Osteotomy may also be used to help realign joints. You may also require surgery on your hands to repair damaged tendons.

Lifestyle

Rest is essential especially when you have flare ups. Joints at this time can be swollen and painful. Putting further strain on very swollen and painful joints can make the inflammation worse.

Exercise is essential to maintain general health and mobility. Gentle exercises like swimming can improve your muscles while putting little strain to your joints.

Complementary Therapies

Because of the discomfort and pain experienced by rheumatoid sufferers, they may often look for alternative remedies. These include:

• Nutritional supplements,
• Osteopathy,
• Hydrotherapy,
• Acupuncture,
• Massage, and
• Electrotherapy

Though research is still ongoing, it is not a condition that can be prevented.

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