Rheumatoid arthritis

Introduction

RA is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints. RA can cause inflammation of the tissues around the joints and other organs in the body. Autoimmune disease as a natural defence system turns against the body and attacks some of their structures and tissues, in this cases the joints.

The disease is chronic and progressive. When we say that the disease is chronic means that it takes a long period, but not necessarily the symptoms will be present the entire time. There can be long periods without symptoms. And when it comes to its progressive, meaning that the disease progresses and there is a potential danger of destruction of the joints and limit their function.

Risk factors

RA is a common disease, three times more common in women and usually occurs between 40-60 years of age. Familial predisposition is common, which leads to the thought that genetic factors play a role in the etiology of the disease.

What is arthritis?

Arthritis means joint inflammation. Inflammation causes swelling, stiffness, redness and pain in the joints. Also it can spread to tissues around joints such as tendons, ligaments, and muscles. In some patients with RA, chronic inflammation can leads to the destruction of articular cartilage, bone and ligaments causing deformities of the joints. Damage may occur early in the disease and to progress as the patient is aging.

Reasons

The reason for the occurrence of the disease remains unknown.

Course of illness

The disease has periods when it is active, and that period is when tissues are inflamed. When inflammation recede say that the disease is in remission, stationary or inactive. Remissions occur spontaneously or with treatment. Their duration varies from weeks to years. In these periods the symptoms are withdrawn and patients feel relatively good. When the disease re-enter the active phase symptoms and symptoms return again. This changing of active and inactive periods is different in every patient, but typical of rheumatoid arthritis.

Symptoms

fatigue

decreased appetite

easily increased temperature

muscle and joint pain

swelling of joints

morning stiffness of the joints

tenderness of the joints touch

occurrence of rheumatoid nodules in mostly hands

Muscle pain, joint pain and stiffness are the most common in the morning and after periods of inactivity. Arthritis is a frequent during exacerbations of the disease. Also during periods of exacerbation (worsening of disease) joints become red, swollen, painful and sensitive to touch.

In RA joints are usually affected symmetrically, ie covered joints on both sides of the body. Often involved small joints of the hands and ulnaris. During active periods even simple movements become difficult feasible. Often are affected and small joints of the foot.

Chronic inflammation can affect tissues, bones and cartilage. This leads to damage of cartilage and erosion and weakness of bones and muscles, resulting in deformation and destruction of the joints as a result of what occurs what matters most to patients and that is loss of function or mobility of joints.

Other organs that can be affected by inflammation are:

tear glands

pleura

heart and pericardium

blood lineages-red and white

subcutaneous tissue - can occur rheumatoid nodules-hard balls under the skin around the joints and fingers in places that are often exposed to pressure

blood vessels

Diagnosis

First step is treatment. A doctor who is specially trained in the treatment of these diseases is called a rheumatologist. The doctor will examine you and will inquire about your symptoms. It is to be made certain blood tests and x-ray images. Diagnosis is based on symptoms and symptoms you have, the distribution of affected joints and organs, blood samples and X-ray images.

To distinguish whether symptoms may be caused by another disease, and in order not to be misunderstood, it is likely that it will take several visits to the doctor before a definitive diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment is most successful when it is based on cooperation between the doctor, patient and family members. Optimal treatment consists of a combination of medications, rest, exercises to strengthen the joints and patient education. Therapy adapts to each individual separately.

It is recommended drug therapy for the control of disease progression. Early initiated treatment reduces inflammation chances to destroy your joints and limit your daily activities.

Medications

First-line drugs or fast acting medications

These are drugs that affect the reduction of pain and inflammation. Examples are acetylsalicylic acid and corticosteroid drugs to reduce pain and inflammation

Second-line drugs or slow-acting drugs

It includes anti rheumatic drugs that modify disease, such as gold, methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, infliximab, rituximab and others.

Drugs for relief

Acetaminophen for pain or topical agents for pain, which are massaged on the skin.

Other affected areas of the body other than the joints are treated separately depending on the body.

Many of the drugs used have side effects, which is why it is important to regularly visit your doctor and report problems that you have. This will help the doctor determine the best treatment for you.

Changes in lifestyle

Recommended

to rest when you're tired

to proper nutrition, moderate and balanced

exercise regularly

to maintain a slender body line

Physical exercise and rest

During the worsening of the disease is best to rest inflamed joints. When inflammation will reduce the necessary physical exercises that will help maintain joint flexibility and strengthen the muscles around the joints. From sports especially swimming is recommended because during swimming joints have minimal burden.

Surgical treatment

To restore the function of the wrist or ankle oshtetenitot fix may require surgical intervention. Intervention joints are required orthopedic surgeons. The range of intervention varies from arthroscopy to partial or complete joint replacement with an artificial prosthesis.

Professional counselling

If symptoms affect your mood and psyche, do not hesitate to seek support from loved ones or professional advice.

Forecast

This disease can be completely cured, but treatment can help control the disease and reduce symptoms. Treatment includes medication, exercise and changes in lifestyle and continues throughout life.