Rheumatoid Arthritis is an
inflammatory type of arthritis which produces joint pain and stiffness.
Rheumatoid arthritis attacks the inner lining of joints known as synovium
membrane. This results in to swelling which gives pain, stiffness of joint,
movement5 restriction of the joint, and deformity of the
joint.
Rheumatoid arthritis is more common in women than in men. The
disease can affect any age group.
There's no cure for rheumatoid
arthritis. With proper treatment, a strategy for joint protection and changes in
lifestyle, you can live a long, productive life with rheumatoid arthritis.
Signs and symptoms of Rheumatoid arthritis:
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Joint pain, swelling, stiffness and movement restriction
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Nodular swelling under the skin over the joints known as rheumatoid nodule
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Tiredness
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Morning stiffness that lasts at least 30 minutes
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Fever
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Weight loss
Many
joints are affected at a time. In the early stage
of the illness smaller joints like wrists, hands, ankles and feet are affected.
As the disease progresses, the bigger joints of the body like shoulders, elbows,
knees, hips, jaw and neck can also become involved. Rheumatoid arthritis signs
and symptoms range from mild to severe forms. Period of increased disease
activity alternates with period of remission, during which relief in symptoms of
fever, weakness and joint pain is experienced.
Rheumatoid arthritis is
an autoimmune illness, in which body’s white blood cells, whose main function is
to protect body from bacteria and other infective organism entering the body
from outside, start attacking synovial membrane of the joints. These blood cells
cause swelling and inflammation of the synovial membrane. The inflammation
causes the release of proteins that, progressively causes thickening and
hardening of the synovium membrane. These proteins also damage other structures
of the joint like cartilage, bone, tendons and ligaments of the joint. With
progress of the illness and ongoing pathological process in the joints the
involved joints loose shape, loose functional capacity, loose strength, and
eventually get destroyed.
Following factors that may increase
risk of Rheumatoid arthritis:
Self care measures for Rheumatoid arthritis:
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Exercise regularly: mild muscle strengthening exercise
under supervision helps to maintain strength and flexibility of the joint.
-
Eat a healthy diet: Fruit, vegetables and whole grains
can help to keep the weight in control. This will ensure less burden of
weakening joints.
-
Protect your joints: Reduce stress on joint by learning
to do the daily routine in easier way. Your physiotherapist may help in
learning these techniques.
-
Use specially designed devices: you can use specially
devised grips and other instruments which can help you in doing your daily
work more comfortably without stressing your weakening joint.
-
Apply heat and cold: this may help reduce pain and relax
the affected joint.
Role of Homeopathy in Rheumatoid
arthritis:
Homeopathy has proved very effective in controlling pain
as well as progress of the illness. The patients suffering from rheumatoid
arthritis have to invariably depend on pain relieving medications which may
involve steroids and other drugs. These drugs may have undesired side effects in
some patients when used for longer duration. Homeopathic medicines are safe, and
effective for longer use as well as it gives desired relief to the patients.
Homeopathic medicines have no powers to change the structural alterations and
damage of tissues like thickening of synovium membrane, damage of cartilage and
bone. What we can expect prom homeopathic treatment is slowing of progress of
the illness and better control of pain, and complete protection from the side
effects.
