A Guide to Rheumatoid Arthritis

1. A Guide to Rheumatoid Arthritis Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system, instead of protecting the body by attacking foreign substances like bacteria and viruses, mistakenly attacks the joints. This creates inflammation and causes thickening of tissues that line the inside of joints. As a result, the area around the joints become swollen and painful. If the inflammation goes unchecked, it can damage the cartilage that covers the end of bone ends in a joint, as well as bones themselves. Over time, joints can become loose, unstable, painful, and lose their mobility. It is crucial to get rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed from a reputed rheumatoid arthritis hospital in Bangalore. Rheumatoid Arthritis commonly affects the joints of hand, feet, wrists, elbows, knees, and ankles. The effect is generally symmetrical which means that if one side is affected, the other side will also be. Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis There are various symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Some of them are - •Pain in joints •Swelling and stiffness in more than one joint •Clumsiness while walking •Loss of function and mobility •An unusual feeling of being unwell •Suffering from weight loss •Joint Deformity Rheumatoid Arthritis is seen mostly in people who are 60 years of age or above, women, people who have specific genetic traits, women who have never given birth, people dealing with obesity, and people who smoke tobacco or whose parents smoke.

2. Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis After receiving a diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis, the doctor will refer the patient to a a Rheumatologist. At present, there is no cure for this disease, but the treatment can help to reduce inflammation of the joints, minimize loss of function caused by pain, joint damage, and deformity, and relieve pain. The treatment can help slow down and prevent damage to the joints. Medication Some drugs can help to relieve symptoms and slow down progress. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Advil, Montrin are available over the counter from pharmacies. High doses and long term use can lead to certain side effects such as bruising, high blood pressure, gastric ulcers, and liver and kidney problems Corticosteroids are medications that reduce pain and inflammation and play a role in slowing down joint damage. Long-term use of corticosteroids can cause diabetes, cataracts, osteoporosis, glaucoma, and obesity. Disease-modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) DMARDs can slow down the progress of Rheumatoid Arthritis and prevent permanent damage to the joints and other tissues by interfering with the overactive immune system. Such drugs are most effective when a person uses it in the early stages, but it can take 4-6 months to fully experience the benefits Tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors (TNF-alpha inhibitors) The human body produces inflammatory substances known as tumor necrosis factor alpha. TNF-alpha inhibitors prevent inflammation caused by such inflammatory substances. It can reduce pain, morning stiffness, and swollen or tender joints. Surgery If medication does not help, the doctor may recommend surgery to repair damaged joints, correct deformities and reduce pain. The following are the possible procedures. Arthroplasty; removal of the damaged part and inserting of metal or artificial joint, Tendon repair; restoring loosened tendons, Synovectomy; removal of synovium, Arthrodesis; fusing a bone or joint to decrease pain. Home Remedies Certain home remedies such as resting, exercising, and taking a healthy diet can help the person feel better and manage Rheumatoid Arthritis. You can also consult a rheumatologist at a rheumatology hospital in Bangalore to get the best advice.