RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Rheumatiod Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an Autoimmune disorder which causes chronic inflammation of joints. In autoimmune diseases patient’s own immune system (Body’s defense system) starts attacking its own organs. Other than joints it can affect other organs of body also. Patient initially has inflammation of joints and later can develop deformity of joints. RA may affect smaller joints to begin with and then may involve larger joints.

Sign and Symptoms:

Symptoms can vary from patient to patient.

            Painful swelling of joints.

            Stiffness of joints.

            Deformity of joints.

            Joint warmth.

            Stiffness of joints increases after rest. Morning stiffness.

            Same joint may be affected on both the sides.

            Can involve multiple joints.

Patient may have complaints of other parts like skin, nerves, blood vessels, lungs, kidneys etc.

Causes/ risk factors for Rheumatoid Arthritis:

Cause: RA occurs when immune system (Body’s defense system) of person starts to attack its own body. It results in inflammation and patient has swelling and pain in joints. In longer run joints are damaged and can deform.

           Female are more prone to RA.

Although RA can affect person of any age but most commonly begins in middle age.

           Person with family history of RA are more prone to RA.

           Smoking.

Diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis:

          Doctor after clinical examination may order some tests like:

        Rheumatoid factor

        CRP

        ESR

        Anti CCP

        ANA

        X-Ray

 Negative RA factor does not confirm that patient is not having RA.

 

Frequently asked questions

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis ?

          Rheumatoid arthritis is an Autoimmune disorder which causes chronic inflammation of joints.

What is Autoimmune disorder ?

         In autoimmune diseases patient’s own immune system (Body’s defense system) starts attacking its own organs.

Who is more prone to Rheumatoid Arthritis ?

            Person of any age or sex can get RA. Although women are more prone to suffer from RA than men.

Which joints are commonly affected ?

            Although any joint can be affected by RA but it commonly involves small joints in hand and feet to begin with and later may affect wrist, shoulder elbow, ankle knee, hip, neck.

What are the most common symptoms of RA ?  

            Patient may feel severe pain, swelling, stiffness of joints, warmth around joints.

What are the long term effects of RA ?

        Joints may deform in Rheumatoid Arthritis. RA can affect eyes, lungs, heart or skin and can cause inflammation of theses organs.

Clinical Observation:

I have observed that Rheumatoid Arthritis can be triggered by Stress.     

Treatment:

There are many medicines for RA like Calc Carb, Rhus tox, Natrum-mur, Pulsatilla, Causticum, Bryonia etc., but no homeopathic medicine should be taken without consulting doctor.