What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a long-term disease that affects the joints, including the wrists, fingers, knees and feet. It causes pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of function in the joints. The joint damage can lead to permanent disability if left untreated.

The exact cause of RA is unknown. Doctors think that RA may be an autoimmune disorder. This means the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in the body. In people with RA, their immune system attacks their own healthy joint tissue.

It’s not clear why some people develop rheumatoid arthritis and others don’t. If you have family members who have been diagnosed with RA or other autoimmune diseases like lupus or psoriasis, your chances of developing RA are higher than those without family history.

RA usually affects the hands and feet, but it can also affect other joints such as the knees, ankles and elbows. RA can also cause inflammation in other parts of the body such as muscle tissue, fat and blood vessels.

Early on in the disease process, people with RA have pain and stiffness in multiple joints, most commonly in their hands or feet (wrists and ankles). As RA progresses, you may lose some flexibility in your joints and have trouble performing simple tasks like holding a newspaper or buttoning a shirt.

Signs and Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

The most common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are:

Joint pain and stiffness. The pain is usually worse in the morning and after periods of rest, such as when sitting or lying down. The joint pain can be moderate to severe. It may also be accompanied by swelling and tenderness around the affected joints.

Problems related to inflammation in other parts of your body. Inflammation in your muscles, ligaments, tendons and other connective tissues can cause problems such as muscle weakness, joint stiffness or loss of range of motion (stiffness).

Fatigue is a common symptom that affects people with rheumatoid arthritis. This fatigue can come from a combination of factors including inflammation, pain, stress and depression.

Causes and Risk Factors of Rheumatoid Arthritis

There is no single known cause for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A number of factors may contribute to the development of RA, including:

Genetics. Some people seem to inherit a tendency toward developing RA from their parents or siblings.

Environment. Exposure to certain substances in the environment may trigger RA. These substances include bacteria, viruses, toxins, and metals such as lead and mercury.

Age. RA is most common in people between 40 and 60 years old, but it can occur at any age. In children and teens with RA, the disease may be caused by an infection with parvovirus B19 virus (occasionally seen in outbreaks among schoolchildren) or another virus that causes a mild form of arthritis called transient synovitis (which usually resolves without treatment).

Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by an autoimmune disorder that affects the joints. The immune system attacks healthy tissue by mistake, causing swelling and pain in your joints. In addition to causing inflammation in your joints, rheumatoid arthritis can affect other parts of your body including blood vessels and organs such as your eyes or heart valves.

How Is Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosed?

The diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is based on signs and symptoms. Tests may be done to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms, such as psoriatic arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus.

Your doctor may take a complete medical history, including information about your family history of rheumatoid arthritis, other autoimmune diseases (such as thyroid disease), infections (such as Lyme disease), and previous joint problems. You’ll be asked about your symptoms and how long they’ve lasted. Your doctor will also ask about your job, hobbies, and home environment.

Your doctor may examine you for signs of joint deformity or swelling, tenderness on pressure over your skin, and limited range of motion in your joints. The examination may also include tests for muscle strength and stamina; reflexes; and range of motion in your joints. The doctor will look at X-rays or other imaging tests to rule out other causes of joint pain or inflammation (such as injury).

What are the Types of Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Classic RA: This is the most common form of the disease that affects both men and women equally. It usually starts between the ages of 30 to 50 years old although it can also begin at any age up to 70 years old. Classic RA symptoms include joint pain and swelling, fatigue (extreme tiredness), fever, night sweats and weight loss.

Seropositive RA: Seropositive RA is also known as seropositive polyarthritis or spondyloarthropathy. In this type of arthritis, patients have high levels of antibodies called rheumatoid factor (RF) in their blood which attacks healthy tissue in the joints such as bone cartilage and muscle ligaments around them causing inflammation around them causing pain locally at joints.

Duration of Rheumatoid Arthritis

The majority of people with RA experience periods when they have symptoms, followed by periods when they do not have symptoms or they have milder symptoms. These periods of remission may last for weeks, months or years but usually don’t last forever.

Some people experience a gradual worsening of their RA over time. Others experience a more rapid progression of joint damage after the first few years of the disease. The rate at which your RA progresses is likely influenced by several factors including:

• Your age at diagnosis
• Your genes (genetic makeup)
• Whether you smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol excessively
• The amount of exercise you get each week

Treatment and Medication Options for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is aimed at reducing inflammation and preventing joint damage. The goals of treatment are to:

• Relieve symptoms such as pain, swelling, stiffness and tenderness.
• Prevent disability by minimizing damage to joints and connective tissues.
• Improve your quality of life through prevention of joint deformity or loss of function.
• Treatment may include the following options:
• Medications (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs], corticosteroids, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs [DMARDs], biologic response modifiers).
• Exercise therapy.
• Complementary therapies such as acupuncture or massage.

Diet Plan for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the joints and causes pain, stiffness, and swelling. The swelling can be very painful as it can cause deformity of the joints. While there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, you can manage your symptoms by following a healthy diet plan. You can also find natural treatments that help relieve pain and reduce inflammation.

The following are some foods that you should eat to ease joint pain:

Omega-3 fatty acids: These are essential fatty acids that help reduce the inflammation in your body. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish such as salmon, tuna, sardines, mackerel, herring and anchovies. You can also take fish oil supplements if you do not like eating fish.

Coconut oil: Coconut oil contains lauric acid which has anti-inflammatory properties that help relieve joint pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Use coconut oil when cooking instead of butter or margarine to get the maximum benefits from it. You can also add a spoonful of coconut oil on top of your vegetables or other dishes to add flavor without adding fat to your meals.