Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic or lasting systemic inflammatory disorder that afflicts about 1% of the world’s total population. It is believed that women are three times more prone from this disorder than men. It is most frequent between 40 to 50 years of age but people of all ages can be affected, even children. This disorder affects many tissues and organs but primarily targets the synovial joints including the knees, elbows, wrists, etc. Rheumatoid arthritis can be a disabling and painful condition that’s why there are numerous treatments are being used on patients to relieve them of the pain.

Although rheumatory arthritis primarily affects the joints, it can also affect the organs like the lungs, kidneys, skin, and the heart and blood vessels. These extra-articular or ‘outside the joints’ manifestations are clinically evident in about 15-25% of individuals. The cause of rheumatoid arthritis is still incompletely known. But there are key pieces of evidence that links to this disorder including smoking and alcohol.

Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis on the joints would show the inflammation or swelling of the affected joints. They will feel warm and stiff. The joints affected are particularly painful early in the morning or following prolonged inactivity. The manifestation of the pain early in the morning is considered a good sign that an individual has this disorder. If left unchecked, destruction of the joints would result of being handicapped.

Treatments

There are still no known cures for rheumatoid arthritis but there are treatments that can alleviate the symptoms and/or modify the disease process.

DMARDs or Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs are drugs that reduce the rate of damage to the bones and cartilages. These drugs have been found to produce stable reduction of the symptoms and delay or sometimes stop the progression. Treatment DMARDs would require constant check of the patient to assess if there would be a need for a stronger dose.

Anti-inflammatory agents and analgesics are also being used for treatments for the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Anti-inflammatory agents include glucocortoids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs while paracetamol (acetaminophen in US and Canada), opiates and topical lidocaine are some of the analgesics used.

Other therapies like weight loss,  joint injections, occupational therapy and physiotherapy are also being used to relieve or reduce the pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis.

Try using MegaRed Krill Oil dietary supplement to reduce inflammation of the joints and also prevent the onset of severe arthritis in the future.