Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that happens when your immune system accidentally targets the tissues in your own body. A chronic inflammatory disease that affects more than just joints is rheumatoid arthritis. Skin, eyes, lungs, heart, and blood vessels are just a few of the systems in the body that might sustain harm from the condition among particular people. It could also have an impact on other bodily parts. The exact explanation behind it is unknown. Surgery, medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nutritional therapy, and lifestyle modifications are among the available treatment options.

Signs and symptoms

Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and signs can include: swelling, hot, and sensitive joints stiffness in the joints that normally gets worse in the mornings and after sitting still weariness, fever, and appetite loss Smaller joints, especially those connecting your toes and fingers to your feet, are typically the first to be affected by early-stage rheumatoid arthritis. Symptoms frequently extend to the 

• Wrists
• Knees
• Ankles,
• Elbows
•  Hips
•  Shoulders

Most of the time, the same joints on both sides of your body experience problems. Rheumatoid arthritis patients also experience non-joint signs and symptoms in about 40% of cases. Potentially impacted areas include: Skin, Eyes, and Lungs Heart and kidney glands that secrete saliva nerve tissue bone marrow vascular structures

Reasons

An autoimmune condition is rheumatoid arthritis. Your immune system often supports in defending your body against illness and infection. Your immune system targets the healthy joint tissue when you have rheumatoid arthritis. Additionally, it may result in health issues with your skin, eyes, nerves, heart, and lungs.

Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis

The origin of this disorder is unknown to medical experts, while a hereditary component seems likely. Although there is no known cause of rheumatoid arthritis, genetics may increase your susceptibility to environmental factors that may aggravate the condition, such as infection with specific viruses or bacteria.

Factors at risk

The following variables may raise your chance of developing rheumatoid arthritis:

Sex. It is more common for women than for males to get rheumatoid arthritis.

Age. Although it can strike at any age, middle age is when rheumatoid arthritis typically first manifests.

History in the family. You might be more susceptible to developing rheumatoid arthritis if someone in your family already has the condition.

Smoking. Smoking raises your chance of getting rheumatoid arthritis, especially if you are genetically predisposed to the condition. Additionally, there seems to be a link between smoking and more severe disease.

Excess weight. Overweight individuals seem to have a slightly increased chance of acquiring rheumatoid arthritis.

Complication of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Having rheumatoid arthritis raises your chance of:

Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis, a disorder that weakens bones and increases the probability to fracture, can be brought on by both rheumatoid arthritis and certain of the drugs used to treat it.

Nodules of rheumatism. These hard lumps of tissue most often develop in the area of pressure points, like the elbows. But these nodules can develop anywhere in the body, even in the lungs and heart.

Sjogren’s syndrome. It is a condition that reduces moisture in the lips and eyes, is far more common in those with rheumatoid arthritis.

Infections. The immune system can be weakened by rheumatoid arthritis and many of the drugs used to treat it, which increases the risk of infections. Vaccinate yourself against diseases including COVID-19, shingles, pneumonia, and influenza to protect yourself.

Unusual composition of the body. Even persons with a normal body mass index (BMI) who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis may have a larger proportion of fat to lean mass.

Carpal tunnel syndrome. The nerve that supplies the majority of your hand and fingers may be compressed if rheumatoid arthritis affects your wrists.

Cardiac issues. Inflammation of the sac that surrounds your heart and hardened, clogged arteries are two conditions that can be made worse by rheumatoid arthritis.

How is the diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis done?

Your doctor could recommend that you see a rheumatologist, or doctor who specializes in treating arthritis. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis are diagnosed by rheumatologists using a multifactorial approach. Along with a physical examination, they will inquire about your symptoms and medical history. Blood and imaging tests will be ordered by your rheumatologist.

The blood tests search for blood proteins (antibodies) and inflammation, which are indicators of rheumatoid arthritis. These could consist of:

•  Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), verifies joint inflammation.
• CRP, or C-reactive protein.
• Rheumatoid factor (RF) is positive in about 80% of RA patients.
• Cyclic citrullinated peptides (CCP) are proteins, and between 60% and 70% of rheumatoid arthritis patients have antibodies against these proteins.

To check for indications that your joints are deteriorating, your rheumatologist may prescribe imaging studies. Your joints may experience deterioration of the bone ends due to rheumatoid arthritis. The imaging examinations could consist of:

• Radiography.
• Ultrasounds.
• Scans using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Before giving you a firm diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, your doctor might occasionally wait to see how you respond over time.

Management

The purpose of treating RA is to:

• Avoid inflammation or lowers it to the shortest probable level by placing disease in healing).
• Reduce the symptoms.
• Avoid harm to your organs and joints.
• Boost performance and general health.
• Cut down on long-term issues.

The health care provider will use the strategies that follow to achieve the following goals:

• Initial, intensive therapy to reduce or prevent swelling as quickly as possible.
• looking for remission or a different objective  in order to reduce or eliminate active inflammatory signs and symptoms.
• Strict treatment to minimize inflammation.

Prevention

You can manage your RA and reduce pain and exhaustion on your own, but working with your doctor to ensure you receive the right medical care is also crucial. The keys to general health and managing RA are diet, exercise, quitting smoking, and mental well-being. Use our pain resources to get assistance managing your pain and creating health goals.

Optimal Nutrition. In addition to promoting wellness, a well-rounded and nutrient-dense diet that includes the required quantities of each food category makes it simpler to maintain a healthy weight.

Regular movement. Make an effort to move throughout your day, even if you don’t have time to exercise. Rather than using the elevator, use the steps.

Combining movement and relaxation. While it’s crucial to make an effort to continue exercising even during a flare-up, rest is as crucial when RA is active and joints feel sore, swollen, or stiff. The weariness and inflammation that can accompany a flare-up are lessened by rest. Taking short pauses during the day helps to maintain energy and protect joints.

Combining warm and cool therapies. Warm baths and heat pads are two common forms of treatment that are most effective in relieving tense muscles and stiff joints. For severe discomfort and swollen joints, cold is ideal. It can lessen inflammation and numb sore places.

Medications for the skin. These gels, lotions, or stick-on patches can reduce muscular or joint pain.

Reducing stress and using complementary therapies. There are various techniques to de-stress and avoid thinking about your pain. These consist of deep breathing, meditation, and visualizing happy images in your head. A massage can relieve tension or anxiety, soothe painful muscles, and decrease unease.

Supplements. Supplemental omega-3 fish oil and curcumin/turmeric could reduce morning stiffness and pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Before taking any supplements, consultant with the doctor.