Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Treatment
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most common types of autoimmune arthritis. Worldwide, there are approximately 3 cases per 10,000 populations, a very common arthritis disease. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) often causes chronic joint pains, giving a huge impact towards a person’s quality of life. Fortunately, studies show that people who receive early treatment for RA feel better sooner and more often, and are more likely to lead an active life. They also are less likely to have the type of joint damage that leads to joint replacement.
Hence, in this post we will be also highlighting some rheumatoid arthritis symptoms so you will be able to be on your guard as well as treating the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis with effective treatments.
Overview:
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)?
What are the Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)?
How to Treat Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)?
Regular Exercises
Acupuncture
Recommended Diet for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Supplements
Simply Nature PPARs?
Summary
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)?
Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is an inflammatory disease. It is a long-term, progressive, and disabling autoimmune disease wherein the immune system in the body has mistakenly attacked the healthy cells in the body thereby causing inflammation in the affected part of the body. RA normally attacks several joints at once, especially the joints in the knees, hands, and even fingers.
When any of the joint is with RA, the antibodies will be sent to the joint lining which then attacks the tissue surrounding the joint. This caused the synovium (thin layer of cells) that covering your joints to become inflamed and released the chemicals that damage your:
ligaments
cartilage
bones
tendons
These can cause long-term or chronic pain, lack of balance, and deformity. RA could also affect the other body tissues throughout the body and cause problems in numerous organs including the eyes, lungs, and the heart.
What are the Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)?
The signs and symptoms of RA occur during periods known as flares or exacerbations. RA lean-to commences with some on and off minor signs or symptoms. The symptoms that affect a person’s joints are more likely to indicate RA, especially when more than one joint or both sides of the body are affected and progresses over a period. Yet, the symptoms or signs of this chronic condition may be different from person to person and might change from day to day.
Spotting these admonition signs can assist people in seeking treatment as soon as possible.
The admonition symptoms of RA include:
I. Joint Stiffness
Stiffness is a typical complaint of patients who are having RA. Joints which are affected by RA are inflamed and characteristically stiffer in the morning than later in the day. The stiffness normally lasts for a few minutes and will worsen over time if no proper treatment is given. Stiffness may also appear at any time after a period of prolonged inactivity like sitting or sleeping.
II. Joint pain
Joint pain in the finger, feet, and wrists are the early symptoms of RA. The person who has RA may also experience pain in his shoulders, ankle, knee, or feet. The inflammation in the joint has caused the joint lining to become thicker and produce extra joint fluid. These factors increase the pressure on the capsule surrounding the joint and irritate the nerve endings in the capsule, thereby causing pain.
This sign can also occur when the disease is inactive or even been controlled if the joint has been damaged due to RA in the past.
III. Minor Joint swelling and tenderness
Another typical sign of RA is, it causes the joints to become swollen. Mild inflammation of the joints will cause your joints to look puffy and tender. This swelling is normally associated with the warmth of the joints.
IV. Same symptoms on both side of the body
One of the most common symptoms for a person who has RA to experience the symptoms of stiffness, pain, or swelling on both sides of the body. However, it still depends on the condition of the person.
V. Fatigue
Fatigue may precede the onset of other signs of RA. A person with RA may feel extremely and unusually tired and lack energy due to the body’s reaction to the inflammation in the joint. This symptom may come and go from day to day. The feeling of fatigue may also be accompanied by depression. This may seriously affect productivity at work, relationships, sex drive, and everyday activities.
VI. Low-Grade Fever
Besides, inflammation caused by RA may also cause people to feel feverish and uncomfortable. The person who has RA may have a minor increase in body temperature. It may come before any noticeable effects on the joints.
VII. Weight loss
Another early warning symptom of RA is an unexplained weight loss, which is possibly an indirect effect of inflammation in the joint. When the person is feeling fatigued and feverish due to RA, they may lose their appetite thereby causing them to lose weight.
On the other hand, around 40 percent of the people who suffer from RA are experiencing the signs and symptoms that do not involve the joints. RA can affect numerous non-joint structures, including skin, lungs, heart, kidneys, eyes, and salivary glands.
How to Treat Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis?
The following are the treatment and remedies which will be helpful for Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms, especially in alleviating the joint pains and swells.
Regular Exercises
Regular exercises will be a great approach to strengthen the muscles and increase joint range of motion. Although it will be a great challenge for you to engage in regular exercises especially when your joint pains are “killing”. However, it is always not bad to do more exercises and train your muscles and joints.
According to Research in 2014, exercises may help in improving the quality of sleep and reduce fatigue for people with RA too.
Although the pain may make you don’t feel like moving, it’s definitely good for you. Exercise won’t make your condition worse, and it could reduce the swelling in your joints and helps in relieving the pain.
Recommended exercises for you with Rheumatoid Arthritis will be swimming, water aerobics, yoga, dance, and brisk walking. These are good low-impact choices that will strengthen your muscle and promote flexibility. Joints and hand stretching are beneficial too.
Source from: https://thewhoot.com/health/arthritis-hand-exercises
While high-impact sports like running, basketball and football have to be avoided. Take it easy when your joints are tender or severely inflamed. You are always advised to talk to a physical therapist or doctor before you get started. They will be able to help in creating the right program for you.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine (therapy) which is also the oldest form of natural pain remedies. It uses a fine needle to stimulate certain points on the body to correct the imbalance in energy. A study from 2016 shows that acupuncture is able to reduce RA inflammation and disease activity. This is beneficial in relieving the joint pains.
Recommended Diet for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Taking a balanced, nutritious diet that helps in reducing inflammation can be greatly beneficial to RA patients.
● Vitamin D reduces the risk of RA in women. Good food sources of Vitamin D including cereals, low-fat milk, fortified bread, and eggs.
● Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil provide an anti-inflammatory benefit. This means fish like salmon, tuna, trout, and herring may be a part of a healthy diet.
● Extra fiber from whole grains, vegetables, and fruits can reduce the C-reactive protein (CRP) that indicates inflammation in the blood.
While including anti-inflammatory foods into your RA menu, you should also avoid the foods that will cause inflammation like white sugar and white flour- the processed carbohydrate. You should also avoid fried foods, red meat.
Natural Supplements
1. Curcumin
Taking supplements may assist in curing the pain and stiffness from RA. Curcumin, one of the vital compounds in turmeric, has anti-inflammatory properties to reduce joint inflammation and redness. However, you have to be very cautious about the intake dosages. Taking a very high dosage of curcumin may cause you to suffer with diarrhea, nausea and rashes. Also, you will need to take concern if you have an iron deficiency as curcumin may inhibit the body to absorb iron.
Despite foods like turmeric, green tea, black peppers, rosemary and ginger, there are supplements of curcumin as well. People often take turmeric supplements as a good source for curcumin. Recommended dosage for turmeric will be 500–2,000 mg per day.
2. Omega-3
According to studies, Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce morning stiffness, the number of tender joints and swollen joints in RA patients. The reason is that Omega-3 fatty acids are rich with anti-inflammatory properties, highly beneficial in improving stiffness and swells. Therefore, it is able to help to reduce the inflammation in the joint and improve the symptoms of RA.
It can be seen that the majority of the omega 3 supplements come in the form of fish oil. However, it would be better for an omega 3 supplement derived from plants, such as flax seeds. A plant-based supplement able to assist in avoiding the risk of mercury contamination found in some poorly manufactured fish oil supplements.
3. Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors (PPARs)
On the other hand, there is another supplement that may greatly assist the person who is suffering RA, that is, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs). PPARs are proteins which bind to DNA to boost the gene’s expression. There are 3 subtypes of PPARs, that are alpha, gamma and beta/delta. PPARs are also the subcellular organelles that are able to be found in most of the plants and animal cells.
The PPAR Alpha in PPARs plays a key role in regulating lipid metabolism and inflammation. These make the PPARs a great potential target in the treatment of chronic inflammatory disorders including RA which is characterized by accelerated atherosclerosis and impaired lipid profile.