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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that throws your body's natural defence system, the immune system, into disarray. Instead of targeting harmful invaders like bacteria or viruses, the immune system mistakenly attacks the synovium, the lining of your joints. This chronic inflammatory condition can cause significant pain, stiffness, and joint damage, impacting your daily life. This blog is a comprehensive guide about this medical condition and features all the facts and tips to prevent and manage it shared by our experienced rheumatologists in Delhi.
Synopsis
Understanding the Causes and Risk Factors of Rheumatoid Arthritis
The exact rheumatoid arthritis causes remains unknown, but researchers believe a combination of factors might be involved:
- Genetics: Certain genes may increase your susceptibility to RA.
- Environmental Factors: Smoking is a major risk factor, while exposure to certain toxins or infections might also play a role.
- Autoimmunity: A dysfunctional immune system becomes hyperactive and attacks healthy tissues in the joints.
Who Gets Rheumatoid Arthritis?
RA can affect people of all ages, but it most commonly strikes between the ages of 40 and 60. Women are more susceptible to RA than men.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms
Early detection and rheumatoid arthritis treatment are crucial for managing RA effectively. Here are some telltale signs to watch out for:
- Joint Pain and Stiffness: This is often the most prominent symptom, typically worse upon waking or after periods of inactivity. Joints may feel stiff and difficult to move, especially in the mornings.
- Symmetrical Involvement: RA usually affects the same joints on both sides of the body, such as your hands, wrists, knees, or ankles.
- Inflammation and Swelling: The affected joints may appear swollen, red, and warm to the touch.
- Fatigue: RA can leave you feeling constantly tired and drained.
- Loss of Function: As the disease progresses, joint damage can limit your range of motion and make everyday activities challenging.
Living with RA: Diagnosis and Treatment Options
If you experience persistent joint pain and stiffness, consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis. Diagnosis may involve a physical examination, blood tests, X-rays, and ultrasounds. There's no cure for RA, but effective treatment options can help manage symptoms, slow disease progression, and improve your quality of life. Here are some approaches:
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Medications: Medications like disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologics can help suppress the overactive immune system and reduce inflammation. Pain relievers can also be prescribed to manage discomfort.
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Physical Therapy: Physical therapy exercises can help maintain joint flexibility, strengthen muscles, and improve your ability to perform daily activities.
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Occupational Therapy: An occupational therapist can help you find ways to adapt to your limitations and make daily tasks easier.
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Lifestyle Changes: Maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and managing stress can all contribute to managing RA.
Tips to Prevent Rheumatoid Arthritis
Unfortunately, there's no guaranteed way to prevent rheumatoid arthritis (RA) since it's an autoimmune disease with complex causes. However, there are certain lifestyle changes and risk factors you can address to potentially lower your risk of developing RA or experiencing a milder form of the disease. Here are some tips:
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Maintain a Healthy Weight: Obesity puts extra stress on your joints, which can worsen RA symptoms. Maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise can be beneficial.
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Eat a Balanced Diet: Focus on a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish might also have some anti-inflammatory benefits.
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Exercise Regularly: Regular physical activity can help maintain joint health, flexibility, and strength. Low-impact exercises like swimming, walking, or biking are good options for people with joint pain.
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Don't Smoke: Smoking is a significant risk factor for RA. Quitting smoking can significantly improve your overall health and potentially reduce your risk of developing the disease.
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Manage Stress: Chronic stress can worsen inflammation in the body. Explore relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing to manage stress levels.
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Get Enough Sleep: Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night. Adequate sleep allows your body to repair and rejuvenate itself.
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Maintain Good Posture: Proper posture helps distribute weight evenly across your joints, reducing strain.
While these tips might not prevent RA entirely, they can contribute to overall well-being and potentially reduce your risk or severity of the disease.
Here are some additional points to consider
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Genetics: If you have a family history of RA, you may have a higher genetic predisposition. While you can't change your genes, being aware of the risk allows for earlier detection and intervention if symptoms arise.
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Environmental factors: Exposure to certain environmental triggers like secondhand smoke or certain chemicals might play a role in RA development. Limiting such exposures can be helpful. Book an appointment with our skilled and highly reputed rheumatologist in Delhi for consultation. You may also keep coming back to our official blog page to read the latest blogs shared by our doctors.
FAQ's
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common form of arthritis in a country which affects around 1% of the population of various age groups. Children are also affected and then it is known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). People generally beyond the age of 50 years have osteoarthritis (OA) which is the degenerative form of arthritis.
If you are looking for the best rheumatologist in Delhi, then contact Manipal Hospitals and discuss your concerns with our experts.
Pain and swelling of the small joints of hands and feet with early morning stiffness around the joints which may last up to 45 minutes or more. The symptoms increase with rest and are relieved by physical activities. All the symptoms are attributed to inflammation. However medium and large joints like elbows, shoulders, knees, hips and ankles joints can also be involved. If you experience any of these symptoms then consult your doctor or visit Manipal Hospital for rheumatoid arthritis treatment in Delhi.
Yes. Feverish feeling or low-grade fever, malaise and easy fatigability can also be associated with joint pain. Being an autoimmune disorder RA can also involve other organs like eyes, lungs, kidneys, peripheral nerves and blood vessels.
RA is a disease of the synovial membrane which covers the joints. There is inflammation of the synovial membrane followed by the destruction of the joints which starts as erosions causing deformities if not treated appropriately and timely.
Yes, it can be diagnosed very early if the patient reports a rheumatologist and certain tests are done including rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP antibodies. Consult with our top rheumatologist in Delhi today.
Usually no, however, in some cases, if the patient reports very early to the rheumatologist and follows the advice regarding the medication then they might be able to stop the medication permanently after a few years.
There are two groups of medications available. Initially, the use of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs ( DMARDs ) is recommended either as a single agent or in combination. The combination therapy is preferred to get prompt relief in symptoms and reduced morbidity. The cost of these drugs is quite affordable. If DMARDs don’t work then biologicals might be required after consultation with the Rheumatologist.
In the case of early rheumatoid arthritis, the treatment may be stopped after a few years if the patient goes into remission. However, if the patient gets the treatment late then almost lifelong treatment is required.
Yes. Since DMARDs take a few weeks to get relief, low-dose steroids are used for short durations only to give prompt relief from pain and swelling of the joints. Long-term steroid therapy is avoided.
Yes. By definitive surgery by orthopaedic or reconstructive surgeons.
Yes. The patient should continue his medications and regular follow up with the rheumatologist.
Patients often report to an orthopaedic surgeon rather than a rheumatologist, failure to accept rheumatoid arthritis as a lifelong disease, non-adherent to the therapy and prohibitive cost of newer drugs. Manipal Hospitals provides the best arthritis knee pain treatment in Delhi and the best treatment and care you need.
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