Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease of the joints.
Its an autoimmune condition, in which your immune system mistakes the linings of your joints as foreign, attacking and damaging them, resulting in pain and inflammation.
The small joints of the hands and feet are usually the first affected by this disease.
About 1.5 million Americans have rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to the Arthritis Foundation.
The condition usually strikes after the age of 40. About three times as many women as men develop RA.
Like many other autoimmune diseases, researchers do not know exactly what causes RA.
Something perhaps a virus or bacteria triggers the immune system to attack the bodys own tissue.
Smokers and those with a family history of RA are at an increased risk of developing the condition, compared with non-smokers and those without a family history of RA.
There are several different types of arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are two of the most common types.
In RA, the joint lining becomes inflamed and eventually erodes the joint.
But in osteoarthritis, the cartilage that covers the ends of the bones in a joint is damaged by wear and tear.
The risk of complications of RA increases over time or when treatment is inadequate.
These complications include:
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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) usually begins in the small bones of the hands and wrists.
The condition is symmetrical, that is, the condition and its symptoms typically occur on both sides of the body.
Joint symptoms include:
Constitutional symptoms are those that affect the whole body.
People with RA may notice the following constitutional symptoms:
Less common symptoms, or symptoms of progressive RA, include:
There is no single test that can definitively diagnose RA.
Your doctor will make the diagnosis based on your description of your symptoms, your physical exam, a variety of blood tests, and perhaps an X-ray or other imaging technique.
Blood tests that may indicate whether or not you have RA include:
Although an X-ray, MRI, or ultrasound can demonstrate joint inflammation and destruction, these signs may not be evident until the RA has progressed to a later phase.
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Rheumatoid arthritis treatment starts with inflammation-reducing drugs.
Doctors prescribe three main categories of medications for rheumatoid arthritis (RA):
DMARDs are either nonbiologic or biologic.
Nonbiologic DMARDs slow the inflammatory process of RA, protecting the joints from further damage.
The most common nonbiologic DMARDs are:
Biologic DMARDs interfere with the immune systems ability to launch the damaging inflammatory process.
These biologic DMARDs include:
While DMARDs are a longer-term solution for RA, they take weeks or months to become fully effective.
Therefore, doctors may also prescribe drugs for short-term symptom and inflammatory relief, such as corticosteroids and NSAIDs.
Corticosteroids, such as prednisone and prednisolone, are strong anti-inflammatory drugs, but have a number of side effects that limit their long-term use.
Over-the-counter NSAIDs include:
Prescription NSAIDs include:
A therapist can show you exercises to keep your joints movable and strengthen your muscles.
These exercises help you preserve the function of the affected joints.
Therapy can also help you learn alternative ways to do everyday tasks without stressing painful joints.
A therapist may also provide splints or braces that help support weakened and painful joints.
When RA damages a joint, surgery may be the only way to improve its function.
A surgeon may operate to:
Lifestyle changes and home treatments help decrease RA symptoms and improve functioning.
These home remedies include:
People should always check with their medical provider before using any complementary or alternative treatments.
Research has not proven these treatments to be beneficial.
Alternative therapies you may hear about include:
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Diets that help people with rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, have been promoted for years.
However, no rigorous scientific studies have proved that any particular diet is beneficial.
Also, some controversy exists regarding the effects of these diets on RA and its symptoms.
Prior to trying any of the diets that have been used for symptom relief in RA, check with your provider to make sure its medically safe for you.
Some dietary approaches that allegedly have helped some people with RA have included:
Fish oil supplements: Studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory.
Fish oil is present naturally in oily fishes such as salmon, mackerel, and herring.
Vegan diet: Some people with RA eat a diet that avoids all animal products, such as meat, and anything that requires an animal to produce, such as honey and dairy products.
Some people report that the diet relieves their symptoms.
Gluten-free, lactose-free, or another elimination diet: Some individuals report benefit from excluding certain food groups from their diet.
This suggests that an allergy or sensitivity worsens their RA symptoms.
Mediterranean diet: This high-fiber diet is rich in seafood, vegetables, and nuts and relies on olive oil for fat.
There are anecdotal reports that following a Mediterranean diet might help control RA symptoms.
Fasting: The safety and efficacy of periods of fasting are very controversial.
Do not fast or get your nutrition from juice alone without consulting a physician first.
The most important thing to do, until well-designed studies prove or disprove the various claims made for specific diets, is to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet.
Choose whole foods that are nutrient-dense, and avoid foods that are processed, artificially dyed, or contain excess additives.
If you have any dietary questions or concerns, consider consulting a licensed dietician.
Remember to always verify with your healthcare provider that any dietary change is safe for you.
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Source: http://www.everydayhealth.com
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