Rheumatoid arthritis: Risk factors, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory condition that not only affects the joints but also affects other parts of the body. It is an autoimmune disorder causing chronic inflammation of the joints. (An autoimmune disease is a condition where the immune system starts making antibodies against its own body tissues causing inflammation)
Inflammation around the joints and tissue results in a condition known as inflammatory arthritis, which is a characteristic feature of rheumatoid arthritis. This inflammatory condition is not just limited to the joints and affects other body parts which are extra-articular in nature. It is also termed as a rheumatoid disease which signifies the condition as a systemic ailment and not only associated with the joints.
Symptoms:
• Pain in joints
• Swelling in the joints
• Fever
• The stiffness of joints especially in the morning and after rest
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Joint deformity
• Symptoms appear in symmetry, affects both the sides of the body.
Causes :
• Hereditary
• Scientists also believe that rheumatoid arthritis is caused due to smoking tobacco, long exposure to silica and chronic periodontal diseases increases the chances of developing rheumatoid arthritis.
Risk factors:
The factors that increase the risk of developing this condition are :
• Women are more likely to develop RA
• Most commonly detected middle-aged people
• Family history, people with their close relatives suffering from RA are at higher risk of developing this ailment
• Smoking increases the risk of RA
• Exposure to silica and asbestos also increases the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.
• Obesity, especially in middle-aged women, increases the chances of developing rheumatoid arthritis.
How to detect rheumatoid arthritis?
There is no particular test to decide rheumatoid arthritis, however presence of C reactive proteins, elevated ESR levels, positive RA factor and presence of anti-CCP antibodies signifies the condition of RA. There are chances of having mimicking RA too. There are chances when the RA factor is negative but still, the patient has rheumatoid arthritis.
Lifestyle changes to relief symptoms:
- Exercise regularly
- Apply heat fermentation to relax muscles
- Apply cold fermentation to numb pain and reduce swelling.
- Relax mentally
Complications:
Rheumatoid arthritis increases the risk of developing the following conditions :
• Osteoporosis
• Dry mouth and eyes
• Rheumatoid nodules
• Weaken immune system
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Heart ailments
• Lung diseases
• Increased risk of developing lymphoma
When to see a doctor?
One needs to see a doctor if the pain and stiffness is persistent with swelling and redness around the joints.
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