Know More About Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis is a disease in which the joints and some vital organs of the body such as skin and lungs are attacked. It is a systematic autoimmune disease, in which the immunity system of the body begins to behave in an adverse way. This may lead to inflammation in joints or massive damage of some crucial parts of the joint. Ultimately, this may hamper the mobility of a patient. Apart from that, a patient who is suffering from Rheumatoid arthritis may have to face extreme pain.
It has been observed that one out of hundred people suffers from this disease. Statistical report vindicates the fact that women are more susceptible to this disease than males. Rheumatoid arthritis can affect any one of any age group but women between the age group of twenty and fifty are susceptible to this disease.
What are the Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis ?
This disease can be genetically inherited and the development of this disease can be influenced by trauma, infection or stress. Though the exact cause of this disease has not been pinpointed, practitioners aver that a certain chemical mediator named “Cytokines” can cause this disease. Erysipelothrix, Mycoplasma, rubella and parvovirus B19 are some of the infectious organisms, which can trigger the symptoms of this disease.
What are the Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis ?
Some of the symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis are obvious and can be traced out easily. Painful inflammation in joints is the potent sign of this disease. A patient may experience a rigidness or stiffness in joints after waking up in the morning. Two or more joints can be affected in this ailment. However, this disease can affect any part of the body but the joints of knees, hands, fingers, ankles and wrist are commonly affected. Joint deformities can occur if this disease attacks a person and this may inevitably lead to depression and embarrassment. Anemia, tiredness and weight loss are some of the common symptoms of this disease.
Though Rheumatoid Arthritis generally attacks joints, some crucial organs of the body can be severely damaged as well. This disease can affect the skin of a patient. Small mall rounded lumps can be formed on the skin. These are known as rheumatic nodules and they are rarely formed in internal organs. Palmar erythema, fragility of skin, lobular panniculitis, thinning of skin etc are some of the skin-associated signs of this disease.
Lungs are another important organ that is affected by this disease. If a person is suffering from this disease, his lungs can be affected by Fibrosis. “Pleural effusions” is another major symptom of this disease. Kidney is another crucial organ of the body that can be affected by Rheumatoid Arthritis. Sometimes a patient may suffer from a glomerular disease that can deter the kidneys from functioning properly and this will certainly lead to a complex situation. Endocarditis, heart failure and pericarditis are some of the other common signs of this disease.
Fever, physical discomfort and loss of appetite are some general symptoms of this disease. The inflammation of blood vessel and the loss of bony tissues are some prominent symptoms of this disease.
Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis is not a curable disease at all but practitioners have invented some therapies and treatment for minimizing the severeness of the symptoms of this disease. If a patient is suffering from painful inflammation in joints, anti-inflammatory drugs or painkillers can applied in order to relieve a patient from it. Though the progress of Rheumatoid Arthritis can’t be stopped, its speed can be restrained by taking some disease-modifying medications such as Tumor necrosis factor and Penicillamine. Steroids can restrain the development of this disease efficaciously. If a person is suffering from acute and unbearable pains in the joints, joint replacement can help him immensely.
A patient can treat himself efficaciously by using some simple techniques. Bathing in warm water, massages, application of anti-inflammatory creams and maintaining a proper diet chart can generate a good result. One should drink plenty of water in this particular time. Regular exercise can help a patient to reduce the severeness of some symptoms of this disease. Swimming can also generate better result. Some practitioners advocate for Cortisone therapy, which can relief a patient from the symptoms of this disease for a short span of time.
Advice:
Patient suffering from this disease needs economical as well as emotional support. He can undergo some physiotherapeutic treatment for getting better result.
