Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis

People who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis have to deal with long-term pain, stiffness, and swelling of the joints that affect the wrists, hands, and feet. What’s worse is that there are episodes called flares or flare-ups where the pain becomes more intense.

 

It’s not surprising that afflicted persons also experience problems in other parts of the body. Their quality of life is lowered because rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder, which means their own immune system attacks the lining in their joints and damages cartilages and bones over time. However, numerous treatments for alleviating its symptoms are now available, including long-term medication, physiotherapy, surgery, alternative medicine, and even moderate intake of alcohol.

 

Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis

 

Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of rheumatic disease that affects the joints. The joints are covered by cartilage, which is an elastic tissue, and is also encapsulated by synovium, which is responsible for lubricating the bones and cartilage. When a person has rheumatoid arthritis, the synovium is attacked by the white blood cells, causing it to swell, and over time, affects the surrounding cartilage, bone, muscles, ligaments, and tendons.

 

There is no known cause of this chronic disease, but factors such as genes, environment, and hormones can increase the risk of getting rheumatoid arthritis.

 

Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

 

Rheumatoid arthritis does not just affect the elderly; it also occurs among people in their 20s or 30s. The debilitating condition can affect career, relationships, daily routine, and overall health because the pain goes beyond the swollen and stiff joints. Its symptoms include the following:

 

  • Joint pain that often lasts for 1 to 2 hours in the morning, but may persist the whole day
  • Joint stiffness or the inability to fully bend one’s fingers
  • Swollen joints that are tender and hot to touch
  • Recurring low fever and sweating
  • Dry eyes and mouth caused by Sjogren’s Syndrome
  • Appearance of rheumatoid nodules in the hands and elbows
  • Chest pain caused by inflammation of the lungs and/or heart; and anemia
  • Low energy, irritability, and depression
  • Lack of appetite and weight loss
  • Flu-like symptoms.

 

Diagnosing Rheumatoid Arthritis

 

Rheumatoid arthritis is easier to treat if you get a diagnosis early on as during the first year of the disease, the bones are more likely to deteriorate.

 

There are different ways to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis, thus it is important to look for a specialist in the diagnosis and succeeding treatment of the disease. The physician will perform the following to determine the progress of the disease and to eliminate other types of inflammatory arthritis:

 

  1. Review of your medical history (family history and the symptoms present)
  2. Physical examination (examination of your joints)
  3. Blood tests (determine the red blood cell count, rate of erythrocyte sedimentation, inflammation markers, and to detect the presence of antibodies or rheumatoid factor)
  4. Imaging tests (X-ray, ultrasound, and MRI scan)

 

Complications of Rheumatoid Arthritis

 

Rheumatoid arthritis can make your body vulnerable to other diseases, especially if you’re not getting appropriate treatment. The following are the most common complications of rheumatoid arthritis:

 

  1. Inflammation of Other Body Parts. Rheumatoid arthritis can cause the following: inflammation of the eyes called Sjogren’s Syndrome or scleritis; inflammation of the heart tissue called pericarditis; inflammation of the lungs that can cause pulmonary fibrosis or pleurisy; and the thickening or weakening of the blood vessels called vasculitis.

 

  1. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. This happens when the median nerve that is responsible for the sensations and movements of the hands become compressed. Carpal tunnel can cause numbness, aching, and tingling sensations in the fingers or other parts of the hand.

 

  1. Cervical Myelopathy. This condition is characterized by the dislocation of joints located in the upper part of the spine. If not treated, it will cause permanent damage to the spinal cord.

 

 

Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis

 

As already mentioned, there are many ways to treat the disease, but the goals are similar, such as the reduction of the pain and swelling, slowing down the damage to the joints, and helping the person live a productive life. Changes in one’s lifestyle, diet, and habits will be included in the treatment program, as well as recommendations for surgery, medicine, and scheduled check-ups.

 

Alternative therapies are also accepted, but you must inform your doctor about any changes in your diet, vitamins and supplements, and therapy. Remember that when you’re on medication, food and certain medicines can interact and cause other effects in your body. There are conflicting studies, for example, about the effects of drinking a glass of alcoholic beverage to ease the pain. The pain relievers prescribed by doctors such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen could interact with alcohol and other medicine if not monitored properly.

 

Research is continuously developing about the possible causes and treatments of the disease, so don’t take chances when choosing your treatment plan. It’s important to work together with your physician so you don’t compromise your health.