What
is rheumatoid Arthritis ?
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease where joints get inflamed
leading to swelling, pain, stiffness, and the possible loss of function.
It is said to be an auto immune disorder in modern sciences as the
immune system attacks the joints of the body itself. This destroys
the joint's protective cartilage. Healthy cartilage allows bones to
glide smoothly over one another. Normal cartilage also absorbs the
shock of physical movement. The cartilage in those with rheumatoid
arthritis breaks down and wears away. As a result, the bones rub together,
causing the pain, swelling, and stiffness associated with this condition.
The inflammatory process of rheumatoid arthritis may involve other
organs also.
Ayurveda
considers it to be a pittaja type of disorder where in is in conjugation
with vata and therefore it is said to be a condition of vatapitta
which is characterized by the swelling and the burning sensations
and the sharp pain accompanying general symptomatology of this disease.
What
are the signs and symptoms ?
Rheumatoid arthritis usually develops slowly over time, with the following
symptoms:
- Morning
stiffness
- Joint
pain with warmth, swelling, tenderness, and stiffness of the joint
after inactivity
- Limited
range of motion in the affected joints
- Fatigue
- Low
grade fever (when joints are acutely inflamed)
- Small,
round, firm bumps (called nodules) under the skin
- Rheumatoid
arthritis almost always follows a symmetrical pattern.
- Juvenile
rheumatoid arthritis, also known as Still's disease, is usually
preceded by a high fever and shaking chills; a pink skin rash may
also be present.
Causes -
Medical researchers do not know exactly why rheumatoid arthritis develops.
They speculate that a combination of factors, including genetic susceptibility,
an abnormal immune response, or certain changes in the body such as
an infection or hormonal shift, can trigger its development.
Risk Factors
These include -
-
Age
-- although the disease can occur at any age, it generally starts
in young adulthood, with peak onset between ages 25 and 55.
-
Female
sex -- women are affected two and a half times more often than
men, and have a greater chance of having a severe case
-
Family
history -- having relatives with this type of arthritis increases
your risk of getting it yourself
-
Cigarette
smoking
-
History
of blood transfusions
-
Obesity
-
Coffee
intake
-
Some
interferon drugs also induce development of rheumatoid arthritis.
Diagnosis
-
Rheumatoid arthritis can be difficult to diagnose because it resembles
many other conditions, and symptoms develop so gradually they can
go unnoticed. Even after it has been diagnosed, it is extremely important
to determine how the disease is progressing in order to treat it appropriately.
A careful history, a joint x-ray, and a joint aspiration amy prove
beneficial diagnostic tools.
Treatment
Approach -
Rheumatoid arthritis usually requires lifelong treatment, including
various medications, physical therapy, education, and possibly surgery.
Treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms and preserving joint function.
Lifestyle
-
Range of motion exercises and individualized exercise programs prescribed
by a physiotherapist can help to maintain joint motion and strength
and delay the loss of joint function.
Ayurvedic
physiotherapy -
Yoga is advised as an important physiotherapeutic regimen in ayurveda.
We
offer some classical Indian supportive remedies for this disease which
are supposed to be taken strictly under medical supervision. Kindly
Ask a Doctor
