Rheumatoid arthritis usually affects the women of middle age. They often complain about the early morning stiffness, pain and swelling in their wrist joints as well as in their smaller joints of fingers. Usually in the morning many people suffer from stiffness in the whole body which gradually disappears as the sun goes up later in the afternoon. These types of symptoms are usually observed in the person in the initial stage of rheumatism. In the later stage the pain and swelling in the joints becomes a constant feature and it starts to cripple the smaller joints as well as bigger joints. Gradually the joints become eroded and in serious cases there is a significant destruction of the joints. But some person especially younger person suffers from these attacks acutely which involves all the joints simultaneously. This condition is called juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Usually rheumatoid arthritis is caused by the malfunctioning of the immune system.

Some of its major symptoms are -

In the affected joints there is a loss of motion, over the time there is a joint deformity, low grade fever, fatigue, aching or stiffness of joints, especially after rest or sleep, decreased strength in the muscles attached to the affected joints and small lumps which is called rheumatoid nodules that form under the skin. It is an auto immune disease which results in the attack of tissue which lines the joint.

Rheumatoid arthritis can be treated naturally also.

1. You must follow high-carbohydrate and low protein diet. There must be a minimum consumption of foods of animal origin. This will reduce the symptom of rheumatoid arthritis.

2. Increase the intake of omega-3 fatty acids as it will help the people with rheumatoid arthritis. We have to obtain omega-3 fatty acid from our diet only as our body can't make omega-3s of their own. The main source of omega-3 fatty acids are cold water fish like salmon, sardines, and anchovies. But instead of eating more and more fish, you must go for fish oil capsules which are the good sources of omega-3 fatty acids.

3. You must eliminate milk and milk products from your diet. Even commercial foods made with m ilk should also be avoided.

4. Regular practice of yoga is must and aerobic exercise like swimming is best for the people suffering from rheumatoid exercises.

5. Products made from partially hydrogenated oils of any kind should be avoided. You must also avoid polyunsaturated vegetable oils, margarine and vegetable shortening.