10 things to know about rheumatoid arthritis: Causes, symptoms and more
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting multiple joints and systems, mainly adults. Genetic and environmental factors, including smoking, contribute. Symptoms include joint pain, stiffness, deformities, anemia, and eye issues. Management includes medications, gentle exercise, stress relief, and smoking cessation to improve quality of life and slow progression.
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis One of the most common forms of long-term, inflammatory, and potentially crippling arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis. It may involve multiple systems and majorly affects the adult population. The cause may be genetic, or due to a number of environmental factors.(Image: Canva)
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Pathology of Rheumatoid Arthritis The rheumatoid synovial membrane (the connective tissue that lines the joints), begins to act like a locally-invasive tumour. The age of onset is usually between thirty to fifty years, but this condition can occur in any age group. Men more commonly develop this during the sixth decade.(Image: Canva)
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Causes and Risk Factors While genetic susceptibility to developing rheumatoid arthritis is a major cause, others include environmental influences like smoking, and infections by various pathogens like viruses, mycobacteria and Mycoplasma. Women are three times more likely to get affected than men.(Image: Canva)
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Early Symptoms Initially, the person may experienced general symptoms like malaise, fatigue, anorexia and weakness. They may also show signs of musculoskeletal pain. Others may complain of stiffness in the joints, especially during morning time. Multiple joints may be involved.(Image: Canva)
Pain Pattern and Joint Involvement Sometimes, persons affected with rheumatoid arthritis may experience relapsing and remitting episodes of pain. They may also have swelling and stiffness that last for only a few hour of the day, or for a few days, and the disappear for a while. Only rarely, a single joint may be involved. (Image: Canva)
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Finger Abnormalities The person may show a spindling of the fingers, and certain permanent deformities may develop due to rheumatoid arthritis. A swan-neck deformity results in an abnormal bending of the fingers, while a boutonnière or button hole deformity also causes an atypical shape of the fingers.(Image: Canva)
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Systemic Signs The person may also show signs of anemia, like pale skin, and may have bleeding in the gastrointestinal system. Weight loss and an increased susceptibility to infections is also common. The eyes may also get affected due to rheumatoid arthritis.(Image: Canva)
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Medications The healthcare provider may recommend certain medications to help one deal with the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. These includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (their long-term use should be minimised) and certain types of steroids like glucocorticoids.(Image: Canva)
Exercise and Stress Management Gentle exercised may aid in strengthening the muscles around the joints, and help deal with this condition. Walking may able a way to begin exercising slowly. Finding ways to cope up with the stress, and relaxing, are also a good way to manage this. Guided imagery or deep breathing may be useful.(Image: Canva)
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Smoking and Rheumatoid Arthritis Smoking may make rheumatoid arthritis worse, and hence must be avoided. Various therapies, and the use of nicotine patches or chewing gums may help one quit. One may consider asking for help from a professional, and managing the underlying stress that often leads to smoking. (Image: Canva) Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis
Rajeshwaari Kalla is a freelance health and wellness writer
