So what is rheumatoid arthritis its common causes symptoms and treatments? This article will certainly help you develop a comprehensive understanding of this ailment. In a layman's term we can say that Rheumatoid arthritis or RA is a disease that typically affects different tissues of human body especially flexible joints. This ailment or disease can affect rather usually affects people from all walks of the life. As far as its causes are concerned, the exact causes of rheumatoid arthritis are still a mystery. Normally autoimmunity is considered the main culprit of this unremitting and progressive inflammatory disease. This inflammation of joints is usually accompanied with the redness, swelling and pain of the affected part.
What are common causes of rheumatoid arthritis?
As already discussed, the exact cause of this disorder is unknown, but few common reasons that can trigger or flare up this disease are as following.Different types of infection causing agents like viruses, bacteria, etc. can cause this problem.Hereditary factor can also play a pivotal role of developing this disorder.Immune system of the body is generally believed to promote inflammation of the flexible joints of the body. In this situation immune cells that are also known as lymphocytes can cause rheumatoid arthritis.Certain environmental factors such as over exposure to different chemicals like smoking tobacco, silica, etc.
What are symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis?
Usually symptoms of this ailment are primarily dependent on the extent of the inflammation of the tissues or joints. Inflammation, pain and redness of the joints are a clear indicative the persistence of the disease. On the contrary, absence of all of these symptoms indicate that the disease is temporarily inactive or in remission. Returning of all the symptoms is also known as relapse or flare as well.General feelings of lethargy and tiredness.Low levels of energy inside the body.Achiness muscles and joints.Apparent stiffness of the affected joints especially in the morning.Affected joints seem swollen, red and tender.Both sides of the body joints are affected by the disease.Inability to walk smoothly especially in the morning.Lack or loss of appetite.
How to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis?
A highly professional doctor or orthopedic surgeon can properly diagnose rheumatoid arthritis. So it is highly recommended to seek your doctor in case of appearance of any of the above-mentioned symptoms. Formation of rheumatoid nodules in the affected areas.Different laboratorial tests such as X-rays, blood tests can greatly help a doctor to properly diagnose the disease.
How to treat rheumatoid arthritis?
It is treated with combination of treatments such as medications, complete rest, general exercises, surgery and many more to name of.Certain types of anti-inflammatory medications can help you overcome the redness, inflammation and pain of the affected joints or tissues. Medications such as topical, narcotic and corticosteroids are widely used to treat this disorder effectively.Exercise can also be very helpful to minimize the ill-effects of the disease.Surgery is usually used as last resort when oral or inject-able medications do not give the desired results. Surgery is also conducted in those cases where of deformities of the joints may occur.
Rheumatoid arthritis can cause permanent disability, but with immediate and aggressive treatment it can effectively and efficiently be treated.
