RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
Approximately 28 million Americans have either osteoarthritis or
rheumatoid arthritis, according to the Arthritis Foundation.
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What Is Rehumatoid Arthritis?
- Rheumatoid arthritis is an immune system condition or autoimmune disorder, that causes inflammation of the lining of the joints.
- It may also affect the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, blood & nerves.
- Although RA symptoms can come and go, the disease can worsen over time & may never
go away. - Early, aggressive treatment is key to slowing or stopping it.
Who Gets It?
- It usually strikes between ages 30-60, but younger & older people can also get it.
- About 1% of the U.S. population has the condition, which is 2-3 times more common in
women than in men. - You’re more likely to get it if you smoke or if you have a relative who has this disease.
What Causes It?
- Scientists don’t know exactly why people get RA.
- Some people may have a genetic risk for it that gets triggered by a particular infection
that experts haven’t yet identified.
Symptoms
- Joint inflammation from RA comes with pain, warmth & swelling.
- The inflammation is typically symmetrical, occurring on both sides of the body at the same
time such as the wrists, knees, or hands.
Other symptoms of RA include
1. Joint stiffness-more often in the morning or after periods of inactivity .
2. On-going fatigue.
3. Low-grade fever. - Symptoms typically develop gradually over years, but they can come on rapidly for some
people.
Doctors Visit
- Because symptoms may come & go, diagnosing RA in its early stages is challenging.
- If you have these symptoms, your doctor may order further tests:
1. Morning joint stiffness.
2. Swelling/fluid around several joints at the same time.
3. Swelling in the wrist, hand or finger joints.
4. Same joints affected on both sides of your body.
5. Firm lumps under the skin (rheumatoid nodules).
Blood Tests
- Your doctor will give you blood tests if he/she thinks you have RA.
- They may give you blood tests to check for signs of inflammation in the body.
- Other common tests are for rheumatoid factor (RF) & “anti-CCP” (anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide), which most people with RA have.
- There is no single test for RA.
Imaging Tests
- X-rays can help diagnose RA & provide a baseline for comparison later as the disease progresses.
- You may also get an MRI or ultrasound to look for joint damage & inflammation.
How Does It Affect The Joints?
- Inflammation of the lining of the joints can destroy cartilage & bone, deforming the
affected joints. - As the condition progresses, joints can become painful & not work as well.
What Can It Do To the Rest Of The Body?
- RA can affect organs & areas of the body other than the joints including:
1. Rheumatoid nodules which are firm lumps under the skin & in internal organs.
2. Sjogren's syndrome which has inflammation & damage of the glands of the eyes
& mouth plus other parts of the body can also be affected.
3. Pleuritis which bring on inflammation of the lining of the lungs.
4. Pericarditis with causes inflammation of the lining surrounding the heart.
5. Anemia which leaves you with not enough healthy red blood cells.
6. Felty syndrome which leaves you with not enough white blood cells & is also linked to
& an enlarged spleen.
7. Vasculitis causes blood vessel inflammation, which can hamper blood supply to tissues.
Juvenile Regumatoid Arthritis (JRA)
- Juvenile RA is the most common type of arthritis in kids.
- Like adult RA, it causes joint inflammation, stiffness & damage.
- It can also affect a child's growth.
- The cause of Juvenile RA is unknown.
Pregnancy
- Rheumatoid arthritis improves in up to 80% of women during pregnancy.
- It's not clear why it happens but it will likely flare up after the baby is born.
- You may need to make changes in your medication before you conceive & during
pregnancy
Treatment
- Although there is no cure, treatment can
1. Lower joint inflammation & pain.
2. Prevent joint damage.
3. Help keep your joints working. - You should start treatments right away.
- Your doctor will make a plan based on your particular case, including your age, affected
joints & how severe the disease is. - The plan will include medication & exercise to strengthen muscles around the joints.
- Some people do need surgery.
- Some people with RA get relief from using moist heat, acupuncture & relaxation.
- Supplements that have been shown to possibly help RA are fish oil, borage seed oil &
cat's claw. - Check with your doctor before you start supplements as they can cause side effects &|
may interact with your medications.
Medicines
- Medications used to treat RA include drugs that slow or stop the disease.
1. Steroids
2. Pain relievers - You may need to take more than one type of drug:
1. You may take one for pain.
2. Another to protect your joints from further damage.
Diet
- There's no rheumatoid arthritis diet but many people with RA find that eating or avoiding
certain foods helps their symptoms. - Foods high in saturated fats like stead & butterraise inflammation in the body.
- Omega-3 fatty acids like salmon, tofu & walnuts may be helpful.
- Some people feel that other foods like tomatoes, citrus fruits, white potatoes, peppers,
coffee & dairy worsen RA symptoms .
Exercise
- Regular exercise can help those stiff, painful joints.
- It also keeps bones & muscles strong.
- Choose exercises such as gentle stretching, resistance training & low-impact aerobics
like swimming & water aerobics. - Use caution with any activity that puts pressure on the joints, like jogging or heavy
weight lifting. - When you have a flare, take a short break from exercise.
- If you are not active now, talk to your doctor before you get started.
What About Surgery?
- If you have a lot of joint damage or pain, your doctor may suggest surgery.
- Joint replacement especially hips & knees is the most common type for people with RA.
- Other types of surgery include tendon reconstruction & arthroscopy,inserting a tube-like instrument into the joint to see & repair damage
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Food Info For Rheumatoid Arthritis | Health Directory
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