Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Autoimmune diseases are diseases that cause the body to attack its own tissue. The joints are usually the area of the body that is affected with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting many joints. Including the hands and feet. It can also affect other body systems like the skin, eyes, heart and blood vessels. When the disease is active the immune system attacks its own tissue. It affects the lining of the joint which causes painful swelling that can eventually result in bone erosion and joint deformity. The inflammation thickens the synovium; which destroys the cartilage and bone in the joint. The tendons and ligaments that hold the joints together weaken and stretch.

Symptoms

When rheumatoid arthritis flares up the joints are the main area to look for the indicators of the disease. The joints are usually tender, warm, and swollen. There is also joint stiffness that is usually worse in the morning and after inactivity. It causes fatigue, fever, and weight loss. Earlier in the disease it affects the smaller joints first. The progression starts the fingers to hands or toes to the feet. After it starts with the smaller joints it goes to the larger ones like the wrist, knees, ankles, elbows, hips, and shoulders.

Causes

Doctors do not know what starts this process. The accepted theory is that it has to involve the genetics of the person. Thee genes may make you more susceptible to the environmental factors like infections with certain viruses and bacteria.

Risk Factors

Sex: women are more likely than men to develop rheumatoid arthritis

Age: Although it can occur at any age it most commonly begins between 40- 60 years

Family History: If a member of your family has rheumatoid arthritis increasing your probability

Smoking: It increases your risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. It is commonly associated with greater severity of the disease

Chemicals: Exposure to dangerous chemicals like asbestos or silica may increase risks

Obesity: The risks increase especially if a woman was diagnosed with the disease at 55 or older

Complications

Osteoporosis: Rheumatoid arthritis and the medications used to treat it can increase the risk.

Rheumatoid nodule: Firm bumps of tissue that commonly forms around pressure points.

Dry Eyes and Mouth: People with rheumatoid arthritis are more likely to experience sjogren’s symdrome

Infection: Medication for rheumatoid arthritis can weaken the immune system leading to increased infections

Abnormal body composition: The proportion of fat to lean mass is often higher in people with rheumatoid arthritis

Carpal Tunnel: The inflammation compresses nerves that provide sensation for hands and fingers.

Heart Problems: Increased risk of hardened and blocked arteries.

Lung disease: Increased risk of inflammation and scarring of lung tissues

Lymphoma: Rheumatoid arthritis increases the risk

Stages

Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by flare-ups and remissions. If left untreated it can cause permanent joint destruction. The main difference from osteoarthritis is that rheumatoid arthritis is inflammatory and progressively destructive; osteoarthritis is not.

Stage 1: No damage see on x-ray and there may be signs of blood thinning.

Stage 2: On x-ray there is bone thinning with or without bone damage. Slight cartilage damage is possible. Joint mobility may be limited and no joint deformities are observed. Atrophy of adjacent muscle and abnormalities of soft tissue around the joint are possible.

Stage 3: joint deformity without permanent stiffening or fixation of the joint extensive muscle atrophy. Abnormalities of soft tissue around the joint are also found.

Stage 4: X-ray evidence of cartilage, bone damage, and osteoporosis around the joint. Joint deformity with permanent fixation of the joint and muscle atrophy

Treatment and Diagnosis

The main way that rheumatoid arthritis is found is through a blood test and the examiners are looking for rheumatoid factor. There is no cure but it can be contained and managed through exercise, joint protection, and medications. Exercises that stretch and strengthen tissues around the joint help to keep them lubricated and move the inflammation. Also natural supplements can be taken to help counteract the disease. Supplements and nutrients like omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin D, glucosamine, and tea. Notable teas that are effective are ginger tea, green tea, Rose hip tea, black tea, willow bank tea, and nettle leaf tea.

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