Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms symptoms

Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms symptoms 

Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms symptoms (RA) is undoubtedly an autoimmune disease that creates pain and inflammation of all the joints. Other parts of all the body can be affected.

Inflammation causes the joints to start to be painful and swollen and movement may be restricted. Stiffness within the joints is common, especially after you get up. The inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis may end up in damage onto the joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms symptoms usually starts in middle life, with onset generally occurring involving the ages of 35 to 64, and affects 2.5 % of Australia s population. An estimated 57 % of persons with rheumatoid arthritis are women.

Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis

The most common indicators of rheumatoid arthritis include:

Swelling, pain as well as heat within the joints
Stiffness within the joints, especially after you get up
Persistent fatigue
Sleeping troubles as a result of the pain
Weak muscles
The exact joints on two sides of all the body are frequently affected.

Seek advice early

You will need to seek health advice at the beginning of the course of the condition. Early treatment will assist you to manage pain more effectively and minimise long-term joint damage.

Anyone who experiences pain and swelling in one or maybe more joints should discuss this with their doctor. In case you are diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis or suspected of obtaining the condition, you may be referred to a medical specialist referred to as a rheumatologist.

An immunity system attack

The cause or reasons for rheumatoid arthritis are not yet fully understood. We do know that rheumatoid arthritis is undoubtedly an autoimmune disease. The normal role of all the body s immunity system is to wear off infections, however when any individual has to go to autoimmune disease, your immunity starts attacking the body’s healthy tissues.

In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, your immunity targets the liner of all the joints, causing inflammation and joint damage. The characteristic swelling happens when the joint produces a lot of lubricating (synovial) fluid for a the inflammation.

A number of people may be more vulnerable to developing rheumatoid arthritis on account of heredity factors. Specifically what triggers the body s immunity system to attack the joints is unknown.

There isn't any cure for rheumatoid arthritis. However, there are many strategies you could use to cope with the condition and its symptoms.

Managing rheumatoid arthritis

To manage rheumatoid arthritis it really is helpful to understand the nature of all the disease. Self-management courses should help individuals with rheumatoid arthritis and other chronic (ongoing) conditions to develop their skills and confidence to live on when using the condition. Arthritis Victoria offers more info on these courses.

Other important tactics that will help you manage rheumatoid arthritis include:

Medication  a rheumatologist may prescribe a number of different medications depending on your symptoms and of course the severity of your respective condition. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are normally prescribed to scale back pain and inflammation.

The disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) undoubtedly are a special group of medications designed to treat inflammatory arthritis. Biological DMARDs are classified as the newest line of arthritis medication and seek to stop the disease progressing and causing structural damage to joints.

Aids and equipment  supports inclusive of walking aids and specialised cooking utensils reduce joint strain and could let you manage pain and fatigue. An occupational therapist can give you suggestions about aids.
Relaxation techniques  muscle relaxation, distraction, guided imagery and other techniques will help you manage pain and difficult emotions inclusive of anxiety.

Exercise  some body movement will assist you to maintain muscle strength and joint flexibility supporting you and your friends managing pain. Appropriate activities include exercising in warm water, resistance training and Tai chi chuan. You may want to sit down with a physiotherapist or exercise physiologist prior to beginning an exercise program.

Physiotherapy a physiotherapist offers suggestions about managing pain and on body movement.
Rest  rest will help you to cope with fatigue and is actually particularly important whenever your joints are swollen.

Nutrition – while there is no specific ‘diet’ for people with rheumatoid arthritis, it is important to feature a healthy, nutrition plan to preserve general health and stop other medical problems.

Support  a peer support group offers understanding, advice, support and data from others within the similar situation. Contact Arthritis Victoria for more information.

Complementary therapies inclusive of massage or acupuncture may be helpful. Confer with your doctor or rheumatologist before commencing any treatment.
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