Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune
disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints. In severe cases,
rheumatoid arthritis can cause permanent joint destruction and deformity.
Rheumatoid
Arthritis Causes
- The most common cause of
rheumatoid arthritis is the immune system's abnormal response to healthy body
cells. This is caused due to hormone changes.
- Infectious agents like
bacteria and viruses can also cause RA
- Obesity
- RA can be triggered by
stressful events like physical or emotional trauma
- Environmental factors can
also play a part
Rheumatoid
Arthritis Symptoms
- Joint pain, tenderness,
swelling, or stiffness for six weeks or longer
- Morning stiffness for 30
minutes or longer
- Pain in more than one
joint
- Small joints like joints
in wrists and fingers are affected
- It affects joints on both
sides of the body
Rheumatoid
Arthritis Diagnosis
Various factors diagnose Rheumatoid
Arthritis. If you notice any of the above symptoms, you need to visit a doctor,
and you will be recommended to visit the Orthopaedics. The doctor will perform
the following evaluations to make the diagnosis.
- Medical history
- Physical examination
- Blood test
- Imaging test
- Ultrasound
- Check for inflammation and
antibodies
Rheumatoid
Arthritis Treatment
After the evaluation, the Orthopaedics
will determine the extent of severity and then recommend you the treatment. The
treatment can range from:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs
- Corticosteroid medications
- Disease-modifying
anti-rheumatic drugs
- Surgery for severe cases.
Joint fusion or joint replacement is done to relieve pressure and pain
- Physiotherapy
Rheumatoid
Arthritis Diet Tips
Even
if there is no specific RA diet, some foods reduce the inflammation in your
body. Here are some diet tips that you should keep in mind if you have
Rheumatoid Arthritis.
- Reduce the amount of salt and
sugar in your food
- Reduced amount of alcohol
- Avoid saturated fats
- Avoid foods rich in
Omega-3
- Avoid refined
carbohydrates
Tips for dealing with Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Pay attention to the
triggering factors of RA
- Avoid sitting in the same
position for an extended period
- Walk and stretch for every
half an hour
- Cold and hot compresses
may help ease the pain
- Take breaks between long
stretches of work
Also Read: What
is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Kauvery Hospital
Rheumatoid Arthritis is a common problem
that usually affects older people but has become prevalent even among the
younger generation. Rheumatoid Arthritis can be managed with early diagnosis and
help from qualified Orthopaedics. Kauvery
Hospital has the best Orthopedic
department in the city and can help you with quality and swift treatment.
Best Orthopedician
in Chennai | Best Orthopedician
in Hosur | Best Orthopedician
in Salem | Best Orthopedician
in Trichy
