How can we define Rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of inflammatory disease where the immune system starts to attack the tissue lining of the joints on both sides of your body. Rheumatoid arthritis can affect any joint but mainly the small joints in the hands and feet are more affected. The inflammation can sometimes affect organs as well, for instance, the eyes, skin, heart or lungs.
What is the average age of onset for Rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid Arthritis can occur at any age. Although, women are more commonly affected than men. In most cases, it usually begins in the middle age. Sometimes children and younger teenagers can also be diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. People with a family history have a higher risk of developing Rheumatoid Arthritis.
What are the causes of Rheumatoid arthritis?
The exact cause of Rheumatoid Arthritis is still unknown. Although, It is believed to be an auto-immune disease where the immune system of the body starts to attack its own cells by releasing inflammatory chemicals
But there are certain contributing factors which may cause it are:-
- Family History and Genetics: A positive family history increases the chances of Rheumatoid Arthritis along with various genetic factors.
- Excessive weight: People with high body mass index have a higher risk of developing the disease.
- Miscellaneous factors: smoking and a heavy non diet has also been seen to have a co-relation with the disease.
What are the signs and symptoms of Rheumatoid arthritis?
The signs and symptoms vary from patient to patient, some patients may develop symptoms in a short period whereas certain patients may take a long time to manifest signs and symptoms. Some of the commonly seen presentations in such patients are
- The Joint stiffness is the most important feature.
- The stiffness of the joints is mainly worse in the morning time.
- Swelling of the affected joint.
- Joints pain.
- Redness and tenderness of the affected part.
- Difficulty in the movement of joints.
- In severe cases, deformities of hands and feet are seen.
- Fever.
- Loss of appetite.
- In cases where there is involvement of multiple joints; it is known as polyarthritis.
- Symmetrical affection of joints.
- In severe cases the formation of round, painless nodules under the skin known as rheumatoid nodules.
- In some cases, the inflammation of the lung may be known as pleurisy.
- Anaemia
Is Rheumatoid Arthritis only genetic?
Yes, Increased chances of Rheumatoid arthritis have been linked to variations in the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes. But, there are certain non-genetic factors such as exposure to irritants and pollutants and sex.
Are there any risk factors associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Yes, there are certain risk factors associated with this condition. These include:
- Family History
- Sex
- Smoking
- Obesity
Are there any diagnostic criteria for rheumatoid Arthritis?
Yes, Although not all patients have all the symptoms. But most of them match the diagnostic criteria for rheumatoid arthritis which include:
- Inflammatory arthritis in two or more large joints (shoulders, elbows, hips, knees and ankles).
- Inflammatory arthritis in smaller joints.
- Positive tests like rheumatoid factor (RF) or CCP antibodies.
- Elevated levels of CRP
- Symptoms lasting for more than six weeks.
Is there any cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Early cases of rheumatoid arthritis fairly have a good prognosis, and the treatment plan includes a holistic approach. Removal of certain contributing factors such as obesity and exposure to irritants and pollutants also play a major role along with individualised homoeopathic treatment.
Does diet and nutrition play any role in treating Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Yes, maintaining a nutrition-dense diet helps in the symptomatic management of the disease. Changes in diet can reduce the symptoms of inflammation in the body, thus reducing the tenderness and pain in the joints.
Foods that are anti-inflammatory in nature and nutrition-dense should be included in the diet.
What are the differential diagnoses of Rheumatoid arthritis?
- Fibromyalgia
- Osteoarthritis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Sjogren syndrome
Is there any difference between arthritis rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis?
Arthritis is a condition which causes inflammation of the joints. There are different types of arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition and osteoarthritis is a primarily degenerative condition of the joint.
How to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid Arthritis can be diagnosed by signs and symptoms which can be gathered by
- Family history.
- History of the patient.
- The physical examination of the patient is done and we see the inflammation in the affected part.
Some tests for rheumatoid arthritis are:
- RA factor test.
- CBC (Complete blood count).
- ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate).
- C-Reactive proteins (CRP).
- Synovial fluid analysis.
- Presence of anti- CCP antibodies.
How to treat Rheumatoid arthritis?
There are certain measures which can help in the management of rheumatoid arthritis. These are :
- Synovectomy or total joint replacement in severe advanced cases.
- Mind and body therapies may also help with stress management. They can help improve sleep and pain perception.
Is rheumatoid arthritis a serious condition?
Yes, there are mild cases of rheumatoid arthritis. Those cases get treated with anti-inflammatory medicine but in some cases, it is a serious disease condition and it depends upon the susceptibility of the patient.
What is the general management of Rheumatoid arthritis?
Some of the measures that can easily be done at home and provide relief to the patient are :
- Cold compresses reduce joint swelling and inflammation.
- Apply the ice pack to the affected joints. It helps to reduce pain and inflammation.
- Heat compresses to relax the muscles and stimulate blood flow.
- Eat a healthy diet.
What are the complications of Rheumatoid arthritis?
Prolonged disease and untimely and delayed treatment of the condition can lead to various complications which can later affect many systems. Some of these diseases are :
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Joints damage
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Cervical myelopathy
Can homoeopathy help in Rheumatoid arthritis?
Yes, homoeopathy can help to manage symptomatically in this case. The severity of the symptoms depends from person to person. Some of the homeopathic medicines are:
- Rhus Toxicodendron: It is anti-inflammatory. The pain increases during the rest and the first movement of the patient.
- Pulsatilla: It is useful in shifting types of pain and stabbing aching kind of rheumatic pains.
- Ledum palustre: This type of rheumatic pain starts from the feet and travels up to other joints of the body.
- Bryonia: Treats the rheumatic pains, especially in the joints and knees.
- Arnica : This medicine is indicated when it is very tender to touch with bruising around the inflammed joints.
