Where does rheumatoid arthritis come from, can it be prevented and how to treat it

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

If you do not see a doctor in time, you may need surgery.

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in the body.

Basically, only joints are affected - hands, wrists, knees. But sometimes rheumatoid arthritis also affects the lungs, heart, eyes, skin or blood vessels.

How to tell if you have rheumatoid arthritis

Here are some signs of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) you may notice:

• aching pain in the joints, their stiffness, sensitivity, soreness and swelling;
• loss of appetite and weight loss;
• weakness in the body;
• fever;
• in the later stages, deformity and curvature of the joints are possible.

Symptoms are often symmetrical RA Symptoms: How Do You Diagnose Rheumatoid Arthritis?: if the left knee hurts, then usually the right knee with it.

The disease occurs in periods. When it gets worse, it is called an outbreak. And when relief comes, remission. The frequency of outbreaks depends on how aggressively the immune system attacks the cells in the body, the number of damaged joints, and the availability of treatment.

When to see a doctor

You need to make an appointment with a rheumatologist quickly, as soon as you notice dangerous signs. Do not delay the trip to the doctor and do not hope that everything will go away by itself.

If left untreated, rheumatoid arthritis can severely damage your joints. This usually occurs with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Diagnosis in the first two years of illness. Therefore, it is so important to find it in time.

Why does rheumatoid arthritis appear?

Doctors don't know exactly what causes it. But they identified Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Causes and Risk Factors factors that increase the risk of developing the disease:

• Age. Rheumatoid arthritis can appear in any period of life, but most often people 40-60 years old suffer from it.
• Floor. Men get sick much less often than women. Those most at risk are those who have never given birth or have done so recently.
• Genetics. If someone in your family already has arthritis, you are at risk.
• Environment. Certain substances with which we come in contact can increase the risk of developing disease. For example, asbestos or silicon dioxide.
• Completeness. Especially if you are under 55 years old.
• Smoking. It has long been known to contribute to Rheumatoid arthritis and smoking: putting the pieces together in the development of autoimmune diseases.

How to treat rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment will never get rid of it forever. But there are several treatments available to help relieve symptoms, achieve remission, and prevent joint and organ damage.

Alexey Basov traumatologist-orthopedist, podiatrist of the multidisciplinary medical center "Intermed"

When examining patients with articular pathology, I first prescribe a comprehensive health check-up, which necessarily includes tests for rheumatoid arthritis. Then I define the treatment.

Autoplasma injections

A person is injected with his own plasma. What you need to know about PRP is done like this: the doctor takes some of the patient's blood, puts it in a centrifuge that rotates at high speed. Due to this, platelets are separated from other blood components and an injection of these elements can be injected.

Autoplasm restores cartilage tissue, gradually relieves pain.

Cytokine therapy

Similar to the previous method. Orthokine Treatment in Israel blood is also taken from the sick person, treated with IL-1RA protein and injected 1-2 times a week. The total number of injections is prescribed by the doctor.

Cytokine therapy stops inflammation, restores joint mobility, and relieves pain.

According to Alexei Basov, it is autoplasma injections (PRP) and cytokine therapy (Orthokine) that are most often used today to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

Drugs

The doctor may prescribe RA Treatment: What is the Safest Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis?:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
• Hormonal agents. They slow down the progression of the disease and reduce the activity of the immune system so that it does not attack healthy cells. Doctors do not recommend taking hormonal medications for a long time due to possible side effects. For example, increased blood pressure, calcium deficiency, leg edema, weight gain.
• Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Protects tissue from damage, gradually relieves daily pain.
• Biological response modifiers or biological agents. They act on the part of the immune system that causes tissue inflammation. These drugs greatly reduce the risk of injury and infection.

Physiotherapy

While you may think that physical activity will bring more pain, it is not. On the contrary, some exercises help. For example, walking or yoga. They are prescribed to quickly restore joint function. Physical education is used in combination with other methods of treatment. Without them, she is unlikely to be of any help.

The doctor will draw up a training plan that can be performed in your case.

Surgery

Most patients do not need surgery. It may be needed for those whose joints have become deformed and lost mobility and need to be restored.

Can rheumatoid arthritis be prevented?

There is no one hundred percent way. Some risk factors are beyond your control, which means you cannot rule them out. But you can still reduce the risk of How to Prevent Arthritis disease.

• Not. Cigarettes not only increase the risk of developing the disease, but they can also hinder physical activity, which is very important for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
• Monitor your weight. Fullness puts additional stress on the joints, especially the hips and knees, for Factors that Increase Risk of Getting Arthritis. Over time, this can lead to rheumatoid arthritis.
• Limit harmful effects of the environment. Always wear protective equipment when working with asbestos or silica. This mainly concerns workers in the construction and industrial sectors.