We all have those mornings when we prefer that our joints are loose. But what do you do when you are not able to feel better even after your morning shower or coffee? When your hands or wrists or feet are repeatedly stiff, swollen and tender for more than 30 minutes per day. Your body may be giving you a significant message. They might be the first signs of a chronic disease, rheumatoid arthritis, that is much more than just wear-and-tear. Learning it is as much a step towards controlling it.
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What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Imagine your immune system as the security guards of your body. It has the responsibility of guarding you against the malicious intruders such as bacteria and viruses. In the case of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), there is a crossover of its wires by this team. It confuses the lining of your own joints, the synovium, with the enemy and, on its part, starts a constant bombardment. This leads to inflammation that is painful and worsens with the passage of time. It may also destroy cartilage, bone, and even other organs such as your heart and lungs. In contrast to osteoarthritis (the more common form, known as wear-and-tear arthritis), RA is an autoimmune and systemic disorder. It implies that it may affect all the body parts and it typically affects the joints that are closely situated on the right and left sides of the body.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms
RA is sneaky. The symptoms usually have an insidious onset and alternate between painful exacerbations and less active remission. These are rheumatoid arthritis symptoms that should be recognized at an early stage in order to treat them. Key signs include:
- Prolonged Morning Stiffness: Morning stiffness is a typical feature that takes at least 30 minutes, which distinguishes it from other forms of ache.
- Sore, Swollen Joints: The painful swollen joints may start with the small joints of the feet, hands and wrists. The joints could be swollen and painful to touch.
- Symmetrical Pattern: RA is one in which the same joints on both sides of the body (e.g. both wrists, both knees) are involved.
- Exhaustion: Exhaustion is one of the most common symptoms that is profound and unshakable.
- Other Systemic Symptoms: You can have a low-grade fever, inexplicable weight loss or you can simply feel ill.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Causes
Physicians are not aware of the single precise factor that sets off the malfunctioning of the immune system. Instead, studies are giving a possible scenario of a perfect storm which entails multiple rheumatoid arthritis causes:
- Genetics: There are some genes that can predispose a person to getting RA.
- Environments: In individuals having inherited orientation, such variables as smoking, contact with some pollutants or even certain infections could become the stimulus to initiate the disease process.
- Hormones: The relationship is not investigated, but the prevalence of RA in women can be explained by the hormonal relationship.
It is worth noting that RA is not caused by anything in the form of diet and daily activities as they may alter the magnitude of symptoms.
Stages of Rheumatoid Arthritis
RA may develop in general phases. Although timely and efficacious rheumatoid arthritis treatment can reduce or even impede the advancement.
Stage 1: Early RA. The joint lining has inflammation, which is painful and swollen and cannot be seen on X-rays.
Stage 2: Moderate RA. The resulting inflammation of the joint slowly begins to erode the protective cartilage resulting in pain, stiffness, and immobility.
Stage 3: Severe RA. The harm is done to the bone itself and results in more pain, great swelling, and a loss of function, as well as exhibited joint deformity.
Stage 4: End-Stage RA. Inflammation can be reduced, yet the joint is in a very serious condition. Bones can stick and become permanently fused such that one is unable to move and the pain is chronic.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment
Rheumatoid arthritis treatment has an ambitious goal, which can be achieved today. The thought behind it is to avoid the progression of the disease minimize inflammation and attain remission, and continue living your life. The most effective treatment is one that is initiated early and normally a combination of:
- Disease-Modifying Drugs: The cornerstone of rheumatoid arthritis medication. This involves regular DMARDs (including methotrexate) and more complex ones including biologics, which directly attack immune system components.
- Symptom Management: Corticosteroids or anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can reduce the swelling and the pain during the exacerbation within a span of time.
- Lifestyle/Supportive Therapy: Joint rigidity and stiffness are prevented by physical therapy. Joint-protection skills are taught using occupational therapy. Easy exercise and a healthy diet are other significant management pillars.
When to Seek a Doctor for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Do not take a wait-and-see strategy. The intervention is essential at the early stages in order to avoid irreversible joint damage. Make a doctor appointment or a rheumatologist (a joint specialist) appointment in case you have noticed:
- Pain, swelling, and tenderness persist for over six weeks.
- Morning stiffness, a period greater than 30 minutes.
- The joints that are affected are the same on both sides of the body.
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