Everything you Need to Know About Rheumatoid Arthritis

by Apollo Hospitals Delhi Touching Lives

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. It is a long-term condition that gradually affects joints and other organs of the body. A person suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis suffers extreme pain and swelling in joints. It first affects the joints and slowly and steadily starts causing harm to other organs of the body.

Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the joint linings. When it occurs, usually, the same joints on both sides of the body bears inflammations and pain. For example, if your left knee gets affected by rheumatoid arthritis, your right knee will also suffer pain and inflammation.

How Rheumatoid Arthritis Affects Joint and Other Body Parts?

Inflammation is the immune system’s way to protects the body from any kind of infection or injury. When inflammation occurs extra fluid and blood is transported to the part of the body under distress. Therefore, when an injury on the body gets infected, the skin around it swells ups and changes its colour. Rheumatoid arthritis causes unnecessary inflammation in the joints and other body parts that stretches the capsule surrounding the synovium. When this inflammation subsides, the synovium remains stretched and as results, is not able to support the joints.

Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Pain, swelling and stiffness in joints
Same joints on both sides of the body get effects
Deformity in joints
Ricketiness while walking
Weakness and fatigue
Loss of mobility and function of the affected area
Fever
Weight loss

These symptoms usually show up during the period of flare and exacerbation. However, during the period of remissions, these symptoms either completely disappear or become mild. It is important not to ignore the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis even if they are mild. People must consult the best rheumatologist in Delhi NCR.

Diagnosing Rheumatoid Arthritis

When people rheumatology specialist in Delhi or anywhere else, the specialists start by asking their medical history and symptoms they are experiencing. Then they conduct a physical examination of joints that includes:

Checking joints for swelling and redness
Examining joint functioning by performing a range of motions
Check the presence of warmth and tenderness in joints
Testing reflexes and muscle strength

The rheumatologist may ask you to get imaging tests and blood test done. Some of these tests are:

Ultrasound
X-ray
MRI
Rheumatoid factor test
Anticitrullinated protein antibody test
Antinuclear antibody test
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
C-reactive protein test

Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis cannot be cured but can be managed. Rheumatologists give treatment to mitigate the symptoms and prevent rheumatoid arthritis from worsening. They give medications to control the pain and inflammation and prevent it from increasing. They also give medications to alleviate the damage caused by Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Along with medication, rheumatologists also suggest home remedies and dietary changes. For example, they can ask you to go for exercise, do hot fermentations or apply cold packs. The diet changes that they suggest may include consumption of food rich in omega 3 fatty acids, and vitamin A, C, E and Selenium.

Rheumatoid arthritis causes impairment of joints if not treated on time. People experiencing the symptoms should not wait long to see the doctor.