Rheumatoid Arthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic disease that has no known cure. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease that affects the joints and causes stiffness, swelling, and discomfort. RA is an autoimmune illness that develops when your immune system, which is normally responsible for protecting your body from infections such as viruses and bacteria, as well as aiding in the healing of injuries, unintentionally attacks your joints. The joints are damaged as a result of the immunological attack, and they become painful, swollen, and stiff. Healthy tissues in joints like the hands, wrists, foot, spine, knees, and jaw are attacked.
According to the Arthritis Foundation, almost 1.5 million Americans have RA. Arthritis is most frequently associated with the elderly, yet it can strike anyone at any age. It affects both men and women, but women are three times more likely than males to develop.
RA has no cure and is a progressive condition, which means it worsens over time. The condition can be painful and distort joints in severe cases. Rheumatoid arthritis can not cause death, although it can lead to life-threatening consequences.
RA is a long-term condition that causes inflammation and pain in the joints., these symptoms and signs become more prevalent during flares or exacerbations. Periods of remission, on the other hand, occur when symptoms entirely disappear.
The hands, wrists, and knees are the most common joints affected by RA, but they can also affect other tissues and organs throughout the body, including the lungs, heart, and eyes.
The common signs and symptoms are:
- Pain in More than one joint.
- stiffness in many joints
- Discomfort and swelling in the joints
- Deformities and loss of joint function
- Fatigue or weakness
- Fever of a mild intensity
- Loss of appetite
Causes:
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune illness. Your immune system functions to target foreign invaders in your body, such as bacteria and viruses by causing inflammation. When you have an autoimmune disease, your immune system sends inflammation to your healthy tissue by mistake. The immune system causes a lot of inflammation in your joints, which causes discomfort and swelling. If the inflammation persists for an extended length of time, the joint may be damaged. Once the harm has been done, it is usually impossible to undo it. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has no known cause
Risk Factors:
Rheumatoid arthritis can be caused by several factors, including:
- Gender: Rheumatoid arthritis is more common in women than in men.
- Age: Rheumatoid arthritis can strike at any age, but it most typically strikes people in their forties and fifties.
- Family History: If someone in your family has rheumatoid arthritis, you may be at a higher risk of developing it.
- Smoking: If you smoke cigarettes, you’re more likely to get rheumatoid arthritis, especially if you have a genetic susceptibility to the condition. Smoking also appears to be linked to a worsening of illness severity.
- Obesity: Obese people tend to have a slightly greater risk of acquiring rheumatoid arthritis.
- Diet. High consumption of sodium, sugar, red meat, and iron is associated with an increased risk of developing RA.
Complications:
Rheumatoid arthritis elevates your likelihood of getting:
- Osteoporosis: Rheumatoid arthritis, as well as some medications to treat rheumatoid arthritis drugs, increases the risk of osteoporosis, a condition that weakens your bones and makes them more prone to fracture.
- Rheumatoid nodules: It is a kind of rheumatoid arthritis. The most typical location for these hard tissue bumps is at pressure areas, such as the elbows. These nodules, on the other hand, can appear anywhere in the body, including the heart and lungs.
- Dry Eyes and Mouth: patients suffering from Rheumatoid arthritis are more likely to develop Sjogren’s syndrome, a condition in which the amount of moisture in the eyes and mouth reduces.
- Infections. Rheumatoid arthritis and many of the medications used to treat RA weaken the immune system, making it more susceptible to infection.
- Abnormal body composition: Despite in those with a normal BMI, the percentage of fat to lean mass is generally higher in people with rheumatoid.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome: It is a condition that affects the hands and wrists. If your wrists are affected by rheumatoid arthritis, the inflammation compresses the nerve that serves the functions of the majority of your hand and fingers.
- Cardiovascular diseases: Rheumatoid arthritis can lead to clogged and hardened arteries, as well as inflammation of the sac that surrounds your heart and increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
- Lung diseases: Lung disease is a common ailment. Rheumatoid arthritis patients are at a greater risk of lung tissue inflammation and scarring, which can lead to progressive shortness of breath.
- Lymphoma. Lymphoma, a type of blood cancer that forms in the lymph system, is more common in people with rheumatoid arthritis.
Stages of RA:
The symptoms of RA normally affect both sides of the body equally, and they are often the most severe when a person first rises or after being motionless for a long time. The four stages of RA are:
- stage 1, or early RA: Joint tissue inflammation is common in people with stage 1 RA. Swelling, stiffness, redness, and soreness of the joints are some common symptoms. Joint injury is rare in the early stages of RA. A clinician should recognize and treat early indicators of RA within 12 weeks of their onset for the best possible outcome.
RA patients at stage 1 are recommended Methotrexate, a chemotherapeutic treatment or Disease-modifying antirheumatic medicine that modifies the immune system’s reaction. It is usually one of the first-line medications used to treat someone who has been diagnosed with RA. It is available in the form of a tablet or an injection.
- stage 2, or moderate RA: Stage 2 RA, also known as moderate RA, is defined by more severe or longer durations of stage 1 symptoms, as well as more frequent or prolonged times of restricted mobility or range of motion. Synovial inflammation in joints can begin to destroy joint cartilage in stage 2 RA.
In this treatment plan, Doctors will continue treatment with DMARDs and other prescription or over-the-counter drugs after identifying joints at risk of damage. Doctors may add another class of medications called biologic response modifiers to the regimen based on the patients’ reactions.
These drugs work by inhibiting the immunological protein tumor necrosis factor or the activation of immune cells called T cells, both of which cause joint inflammation.
- stage 3, or severe RA: People with stage 3 RA, also known as severe RA, have significantly more severe pain, joint swelling, and other symptoms than those who have stage 1 or stage 2. In stage 3 RA, the inflammation has progressed to the point that it has destroyed the bones and cartilage in the joints.
- Stage 3 RA: In this physical joint abnormalities, such as bent or knobbly hands and toes rheumatoid nodule formation around joints rheumatoid nodule formation can be observed.
People with stage 3 RA typically use the same medications that healthcare providers use to treat the ailment in its earlier stages. If other drugs fail, a person may take Janus kinase inhibitors, often known as JAK inhibitors, in addition to standard DMARDs.
- stage 4, or end-stage RA: The last stage of RA, known as end-stage RA, sees a dramatic reduction in joint tissue inflammation. In addition, the disease makes the joint function more difficult. The majority of persons with end-stage RA have the same symptoms as those who are in the early stages of the disease, where functional capacity impairments are more severe, chronic, and burdensome.
End-stage RA patients have typically consumed all medical alternatives used by healthcare providers to treat other phases of the disease.
As a person’s physical abilities deteriorate, they must largely depend on assistive mobility equipment to carry out daily duties. Surgery may be used to help people with end-stage RA regain bodily function and heal joint degeneration
Treatment:
Rheumatoid arthritis has no known cure. However, studies show that early therapy with disease-modifying antirheumatic medicines (DMARDs) increases the likelihood of symptom remission
- Medications: The doctor’s recommendations for the medicines are based on the severity of your symptoms and the duration of the disease.
- NSAIDs: NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines) are suggested to ease pain and inflammation. Ibuprofen and naproxen sodium are two over-the-counter NSAIDs Common side effects seen with the treatment include Stomach upset, heart difficulties, and renal damage in later stages.
- Steroids: Prednisone and other corticosteroid drugs are used to relieve inflammation and pain while also slowing joint deterioration. Doctors prescribe a corticosteroid to alleviate symptoms rapidly, to gradually reduce the doses of medicines. Bone thinning, weight gain, and diabetes are all possible side effects.
- Physiotherapy: Your doctor may refer you to a physical or occupational therapist who can teach you exercises to help keep your joints flexible. The therapist may also suggest new ways to do daily tasks that will be easier on your joints. Assistive devices can make it easier to avoid stressing your painful joints.
- Surgery: If a medicinal approach does not prevent or reduce joint damage, the doctor may suggest having surgery to restore the damaged joints. It is generally recommended in the final stage of RA. Surgery may be able to help regain the capacity to move joints. It can also help with pain and function. The different type of surgery for the treatment of RA includes Synovectomy, Joint fusion. Tendon repair, total joint replacement, etc.
Progression:
While each situation is different, adopting some lifestyle choices or habits may help minimize or avoid the progression of RA symptoms.
- Exercise regularly. Gentle exercise can help strengthen the muscles that surround your joints while also reducing fatigue. Before you begin exercising, consult your doctor. If you’re just getting started, go for a walk first.
- Heat: Apply heat or cold to the area. Heat can help you relax tense, aching muscles and relieve pain. The sensation of discomfort may be lessened by exposure to cold. Cold can help numb the skin and minimize edema.
- Relax. Reduce stress in your life to find ways to manage discomfort. Pain management techniques include guided imagery, deep breathing, and muscular relaxation.
- Assisted Devices: Devices like splints and braces, help keep your joints in a resting posture. This may assist to reduce inflammation, but it’s vital to avoid “frozen joints” by taking breaks from using them.
Diagnosis:
The early signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are similar to those of many other diseases, which makes it difficult to get diagnosed in its early stages. The diagnosis cannot be confirmed by a single blood test or physical finding.
Your doctor will examine your joints for swelling, redness, and warmth during the physical exam. He or she may also assess your muscle strength and reflexes.
The doctor may recommend a few diagnostic tests to screen the Rheumatoid Arthritis
Tests on the blood
A high erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR, also known as sed rate) or C-reactive protein (CRP) level in the blood indicates the presence of an inflammatory process in the body of people with RA. Rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies are two other popular blood tests used for the diagnosis of RA.
X-rays may also be suggested by your doctor to monitor the progression of rheumatoid arthritis in your joints over time. Your doctor can use MRI and ultrasound to evaluate the severity of the disease in your body.
Takeaway:
RA is a painful, long-term autoimmune disease that damages joints and makes it difficult to carry out regular activities. It can cause inflammation in the joints as well as the rest of the body.
Anyone who has non-traumatic pain and swelling in two or more joints should contact a doctor as soon as possible because early treatment can minimize the chance of long-term complications.
Faqs
What is the most common treatment for rheumatoid arthritis?
Methotrexate or other disease-modifying anti-rheumatic medicines (DMARDs). Leflunomide, Hydroxychloroquine, and Sulfasalazine are a few commonly administered first lines of treatment in addition to steroids (corticosteroids) for rheumatoid arthritis.
Which treatment is best for rheumatoid arthritis?
Early diagnosis and administration of methotrexate with some disease-modifying anti-rheumatic medicines (DMARDs) are the safest and best treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.
What are the four stages of rheumatoid arthritis?
There are four stages of rheumatoid arthritis:
- Stage 1: Early rheumatoid arthritis:- At this stage symptoms are not identified and screened.
- Stage 2: Moderate rheumatoid arthritis: At this stage, antibodies are develop,ed and swelling with pain and discomfort arises
- Stage 3: Severe rheumatoid arthritis: Symptoms become more visible in this stage
- Stage 4: End-stage rheumatoid arthritis: At this stage, joints become painful, red, swollen, and fused with reduced mobility.
What is the safest treatment for rheumatoid arthritis?
There is no such thing as the safest or best medicine; all drugs have advantages and disadvantages. the most common medications used to treat RA with the least side effects are Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) which help to relieve pain and inflammation.
