Rheumatoid Arthritis(RA): Exploring Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Rekha, a 30-year-old female patient, went to a doctor with a complaint of joint pain occurring in her ankles and wrists. Furthermore, questioning revealed that she has been constantly suffering from symptoms like morning stiffness and tingling sensation in her extremities. Additional investigation revealed that she had a family history of rheumatoid arthritis. After that, she was taken for an examination. After performing all the tests for rheumatoid arthritis she was found positive.  

Wondering what exactly is Rheumatoid arthritis? Read on.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition where the immune system of the body attacks the tissues of the body (including joints). This condition starts to develop from 30 to 40 years of age. It is said to be more common in women. It can be treated through physiotherapy or painkillers. However, sometimes the patient does not feel any symptoms, even in the starting stage of rheumatoid arthritis. 

In the article below, we will learn everything about rheumatoid arthritis. This includes its causes, risk factors, symptoms, types, stages, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention from rheumatoid arthritis.   

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disorder where your body’s immune system starts attacking your body tissues. It is a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting your joints.Sometimes, it affects various organs like eyes, kidneys, lungs, blood vessels, and heart. 

Rheumatoid arthritis targets the lining of your joints. This causes painful swelling and sometimes results in bone erosion. There is no cure for this disorder, and it affects people who are mostly aged between 30 to 40 years, 

Rheumatoid Arthritis Causes and Risk Factors

The cause of rheumatoid arthritis is still unknown, but there are some risk factors that you stay away from.

• The risk of developing this disorder increases with age Women are more likely to suffer from this.
• Smoking for a long period increases the possibility of suffering from rheumatoid arthritis disorder
• If any blood relative suffers from this, you may also likely get this disorder. 
• Obesity increases the chances of developing rheumatoid arthritis 
• Any kind of lung disease is also associated with rheumatoid arthritis 

Also Read : Arthritis – Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Diagnosis & Types

Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms

Rheumatoid arthritis comes with a lot of symptoms including: 

• General Symptoms: 

Trouble sleeping, feeling tired, fatigue, weight loss, and constantly tired. 

• Other Symptoms: 

Difficulty performing daily activities, bumps on small joints, and occasional fever 

• Joint Symptoms:

Stiffness, pain, swelling, tenderness, redness, and warmth in the joints. These symptoms affect both the joints that affect the multiple joints present on both the sides of the body. You may lose your power to move your joints. 

Rheumatoid Arthritis Types

The types of various rheumatoid arthritis include: 

• Seropositive Rheumatoid Arthritis (most common, causes lung issues, deformity, and joint damage) 
• Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis. (less serious in comparison to SRA. Causes symptoms like pain, Morning stiffness, and joint swelling) 
• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis, formerly known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, is the most common type of arthritis in children under the age of 16.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Stages

There are a total of 4 stages in rheumatoid arthritis. Each of these stages shows different symptoms and X-ray characteristics. 

• Stage 1: In early stage rheumatoid arthritis, the tissue around your joint(s) is inflamed. You may have some pain and stiffness. If your provider ordered X-rays, they wouldn’t see destructive changes in your bones.
• Stage 2: The inflammation has begun to damage the cartilage in your joints. You might notice stiffness and a decreased range of motion. 
• Stage 3: The inflammation is so severe that it damages your bones. You’ll have more pain, stiffness and even less range of motion than in stage 2, and you may start to see physical changes. 
• Stage 4: In this stage, the inflammation stops but your joints keep getting worse. You’ll have severe pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of mobility.

Also Read : 11 Steps to Manage and treat your Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis

The diagnosis process of Rheumatoid Arthritis includes medical history, blood tests, and physical examination. 

Rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis is based on a combination of several factors. Doctor will do a physical exam and ask you about your medical history and symptoms. Your doctor will order blood tests and imaging tests. 

The blood tests look for inflammation and blood proteins (antibodies) that are signs of rheumatoid arthritis. The imaging tests may include: 

• X-rays. 
• Ultrasounds. 
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. 

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment 

There are various treatment options for Rheumatoid Arthritis. Always consult a doctor before taking any medications. 

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)

They are the first line of treatment. It helps in slowing down joint damage and prevents deformities. 

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids are prescription medications that reduce inflammation in the body. They are available in the form of pills as well as shots. 

Splints 

This protects the joints and strengthens weak joints. 

Physical Therapy 

It is the most important therapy as it helps increase strengths and promotes joint movements. 

Anti-inflammatory drugs 

This class of medicines particularly help in reducing joint swelling and inflammation. But remember that it shouldn’t be used alone. 

Prevention of Rheumatoid Arthritis

As there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis. Here are some prevention steps that will greatly help you. 

• Quit smoking as it is a significant risk factor for rheumatoid arthritis 
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet 
• Exercise regularly for at least 20 to 30 minutes 
• Maintain your weight and do not be overweight 
• Vitamin D in your body is important 
• Do not have food that contains a lot of sugar, oil, or salt 
• Watch out for your blood sugar 

Also Read : Arthritis Diet: List of Foods to Eat & Avoid During Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis : When to see a doctor?

If you feel any of the symptoms mentioned in this article, you can consult a doctor for further diagnosis.

References:

1. Rheumatoid Arthritis: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments and More. Arthritis Foundation [Internet]. https://www.arthritis.org/diseases/rheumatoid-arthritis. Accessed Oct. 03, 2024.
2. Rheumatoid Arthritis. American College of Rheumatology [Internet]. https://rheumatology.org/patients/rheumatoid-arthritis. Accessed Oct. 01, 2024.
3. Rheumatoid Arthritis. World Health Organization[Internet]. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/rheumatoid-arthritis. Accessed Oct. 04, 2024.
4. Rheumatoid Arthritis. OrthoInfo – American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons [Internet]. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/. Accessed Oct. 06, 2024.

5. Everything you need to know about rheumatoid arthritis. MedicalNewsToday[Internet]. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323361. Accessed Oct. 05, 2024
6. Rheumatoid Arthritis. American Society for Surgery of the Hand. https://www.assh.org/handcare/condition/rheumatoid-arthritis . Accessed Oct. 07, 2024