Rheumatoid arthritis RA is characterized by inflammation of the joints of the hands, feet and ankles. It can also affect the knees hips, shoulder, elbows and the neck. The area greatly affected is the lining of the joint creating a painful swelling which can cause bony erosions and partial dislocation of the joints. It is an autoimmune disease which means that the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in body.
About one percent of worldwide population is affected with rheumatoid arthritis and women are most commonly hit with this condition. This usually appears between forty to sixty years old. The exact reason for developing this condition is yet unknown but several factors can trigger a rheumatoid arthritis.
Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis RA
The joints that are affected usually appear swollen and feel warm and tender which feels stiff in the morning and may last for several hours. An appearance of rheumatoid nodules can be seen and is usually accompanied with fever, fatigue and weight loss. Some may experience having muscle pains.
Initially it may affect the smaller joints, usually involving the joints that attach to the fingers to the hands and the toes to the feet. Eventually this may spread to the knees, ankles, elbows, hips and the shoulders. In rare occasions other parts of the body may become inflamed like the lungs, heart, eyes or the blood vessels. This is potentially serious.
Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis
The exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is yet unknown but infections with bacteria and virus may trigger this condition. As the body's defense recognizes an intruder, it mistakenly attacks the joint tissue because they see it as a part of a foreign body. This is how an autoimmune disorder works.
Some viruses have been studied for the role they play in the development of rheumatoid arthritis. These are Hepatitis C virus, Human Herpes Virus Type 6, Herpes Simplex Virus, Parvovirus B-19,Epstein Bar Virus and Cytomegalovirus.
Another cause of rheumatoid arthritis is allergy to certain foods. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis who eat foods that they are allergic to, develop significant pain and swollen joint. It has been found that these patients have low levels of vitamin B. People who have low levels of vitamin D and E have a higher risk of getting rheumatoid arthritis
Complications of Rheumatoid Arthritis
1. Osteoporosis
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis are most likely to develop osteoporosis, a condition characterized by weakening of the bone. Medications used for treating rheumatoid arthritis may also increase the risk of osteoporosis.
2. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The inflammation at the wrist joints can compress the nerve the hand and fingers.
3. Heart Problems
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis are at risk of developing hardened and blocked arteries. An inflammation of the sac that encloses the heart may also be a part of the complication.
4. Lung Disease
Patients are at risk of having lung tissue scarring as well as inflammation of the lungs. This could be serious as it may lead to progressive shortness of breath.
Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis
There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis RA but this can be managed by reducing the symptoms and by minimizing the incidence of risk associated conditions such as those involving the heart and the bones.
Medicines given are
1. Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) which act by blocking some chemicals responsible for the inflammation process.
2. Biological medicines sometimes called cytokine modulators or monoclonal antibodies also act by blocking chemicals that are involved in the inflammation.
3. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
4. Steroids to reduce inflammation and pain and slow down the joint damage.
The doctor may send the patient for therapy to keep the joints flexible but if all medication should fail, the doctor may suggest to surgery as the last option to repair the diseased joints and to restore its functions. This is the final option available for treating rheumatoid arthritis RA.
