All about Rheumatoid Arthritis

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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that attacks the joints, causing severe pain and stiffness. It’s more common in older people, affecting approximately three to four times more women than men. Some researchers believe that there may be environmental factors involved in its development, such as exposure to pathogens during infancy or to certain chemicals, which trigger an immune response that leads to the disease. If you’re reading this article, then you almost certainly know someone with Rheumatoid Arthritis. You might not be painfully aware of it, but chances are you know someone who is – friends and family members often catch early signs before it progresses any further. You don’t have to suffer in silence if reading about Rheumatoid Arthritis makes you sad or scared – there are ways you can help yourself deal with symptoms and live life as normally as possible. Here’s what you need to know about Rheumatic Diseases

Rheumatoid Arthritis – An overview

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that largely affects the joints. It is an inflammatory disease that damages the joint cartilage, leading to pain, swelling, and stiffness. There are many causes of rheumatoid arthritis, including infection, autoimmune disorders, and certain medications. However, the most common cause of rheumatoid arthritis is an abnormal immune response. In order to recognize and be able to treat rheumatoid arthritis early, it is important to know the basics of this disease. This will allow you to be an informed and proactive patient.  In people with rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system thinks the synovial tissues in the joints are harmful and attack them. Rheumatic diseases are a group of disorders that include rheumatoid arthritis. The main feature of these diseases is an inflammatory process in a joint. This process can damage the cartilage and cause extreme pain and disability.

What is Rheumatoid Disease?

Rheumatoid disease is a chronic autoimmune condition that primarily affects the joints. Rheumatic disease is an autoimmune disease that damages the joints. The most common form of rheumatic disease is rheumatoid arthritis (also called rheumatoid polyarthritis). Rheumatic diseases affect the cartilage and bone around your joints. These tissues are called synovial joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that damages the synovial joints, where the cartilage cushions the bones. Rheumatic diseases can also affect other organs in your body, such as your heart and blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, lungs, and nerves. Rheumatic diseases cause disability and pain, which can be very severe.

Risk factors of Rheumatoid Disease

There are many factors that increase your risk of developing rheumatic diseases, including: – Being a member of a minority group – Having a family history of rheumatic diseases – Having a personal or family history of autoimmune diseases – Taking certain medications – Being older – Exposing yourself to certain viruses or infections while you’re a baby Rheumatoid diseases can affect anyone at any age. They are much more common in older people.

Symptoms of Rheumatoid Disease

Symptoms may vary in different people but may include: – Persistent or recurring joint pain – Swelling in the joint – Tenderness in the joint – Limited movement in the joint – Difficulty moving the joint – A feeling that something is “off” in the joint – A redness in the joint Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis may be similar to other conditions, such as – Low back pain – Sprained ankle – Herniated disk – Migraine Some people have no or only mild signs or symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis throughout the course of their disease. As rheumatoid arthritis progresses, however, the symptoms tend to become more severe.

Living with Rheumatoid Disease

Many people with rheumatic diseases lead full and active lives. You may be able to manage your symptoms and work toward an active quality of life. This will require some changes to your daily routine. Living with rheumatic diseases can be challenging. You may need to make changes to your daily routine to minimize pain and improve your quality of life. There are many things you can do to manage your symptoms and live as independently as possible. For example, you can take self-care steps such as: – Resting your joints as much as possible – using pain-relieving medications as directed – Elevating your legs as much as possible when sitting – Keeping your joints warm – Keeping your muscles and joints hydrated – Using a pillow between your knees if your joints are swollen

Treatment for Rheumatoid Diseases

The goal of treatment for rheumatoid arthritis is to control the symptoms and prevent damage to your joints. Treatment options may include medications, physical therapy, pain management techniques, and stress management techniques. Certain medications are available to help reduce rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. These medications may include – Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) – Antiseizure medications – Psychological counselling or support groups – Physical therapy – Hydrotherapy A helpful treatment goal is to prevent joint damage. For example, if you have swollen joints, you can keep them elevated. You can also use a pillow to protect your knees when you sleep. There are many ways to manage joint swelling and pain, such as: – Elevating your legs when you’re sitting – Using a pillow between your knees – Using a cane or hook to help you walk – Avoiding activities that are too strenuous – Avoiding overheating – Fluid restriction in your diet – Elevating your hands when you’re sitting – Using a heating pad – Keeping your joints warm – Staying hydrated – Managing your stress – Fluid restriction in your diet – Managing your blood pressure – Managing your blood sugar – Managing pain – Managing your blood pressure – Managing your blood sugar – Managing your blood pressure – Managing your pain – Managing your pain

Conclusion

Rheumatoid arthritis is a complex disease that can cause significant challenges for patients and their families. Although there is no cure, living with rheumatoid arthritis can be made easier with a healthy lifestyle, treatment from your healthcare provider, and support from family and friends. Rheumatoid disease is a serious condition that can cause significant challenges for patients and their families. This article provides an overview of Rheumatoid Arthritis and what you need to know about this inflammatory disease.

More info on 
Rheumatoid arthritis – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Rheumatoid arthritis – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic
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