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Rheumatoid arthritis (also known as rheumatoid arthritis) is a systemic disease that affects many other organs in the body. Find out the cause and symptoms of the disease to get the right treatment.

What is the cause of rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the synovial fluid surrounding the joints is attacked by the immune system. The cartilage and bone in the joint is destroyed by inflammation, which thickens the synovial fluid. Then the tendons and ligaments weaken and are stretched. Over a long period of time, the joints can no longer keep their original shape and alignment.

Scientists still don’t know what the reason for this process is. However, they suggest that environmental factors such as infections can cause the disease.

What are the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis?

If the following symptoms are present, you are at a higher risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis:

• Pain and swelling of the joints;
• Stiffness;
• Fever, fatigue and weight loss.

Usually, early rheumatoid arthritis affects the smaller joints first. During this process, symptoms will spread to other parts of the body such as ankles, elbows, knees, hips, etc.

Also, in some cases, many people with rheumatoid arthritis have no joint involvement. Abnormal signs appear in the salivary glands, nerve tissue, bone marrow, heart, etc.

If you have any of the above symptoms, see your doctor right away for timely diagnosis and treatment.

Diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis

It can be difficult to diagnose if your condition is in its early stages. Your doctor will check for inflammation, redness, or heat in your joints. In addition, your doctor may check your reflexes and muscle strength.

“Blood tests” such as red blood cell deposition (ESR) or elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) can be a sign of inflammation in your body.

“Imaging tests” such as X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can monitor the progression of rheumatoid arthritis in the joints.

Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

The goals of rheumatoid arthritis treatment are to control inflammation, pain, and complications associated with rheumatoid arthritis. To help reduce inflammation, your doctor will recommend appropriate options based on your condition such as medications, therapies, surgery, and complementary medicines. Early treatment will help the patient recover faster.

Rheumatoid arthritis medication

The type of medication will be based on the severity of the symptoms.

• A group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (also called NSAIDs) reduces pain and inflammation but does not slow the development of rheumatoid arthritis (may include the active ingredients  meloxicam, ibuprofen or naproxen). So, if you have moderate to severe arthritis, you may need to take other medicines to prevent joint damage. However, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, irritation, and stomach bleeding. You should follow your doctor’s instructions when taking the drug.
• Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) help slow the progression of the condition and protect joints from permanent damage. Some of these drugs include methotrexate,  leflunomide, hydroxychloroquine, and sulfasalazine. DMARDs can be used in combination with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
• Steroid anti-inflammatory drugs. For people with severe rheumatoid arthritis, a doctor may recommend steroids to relieve pain and stiffness. This medication should only be taken temporarily to ease flare-ups, however, some people may need to take it for a longer period of time. Follow your doctor’s instructions when taking this medicine, because this medicine can have some side effects such as causing high blood pressure, osteoporosis and diabetes.

Rheumatoid arthritis surgery:

In cases where medication cannot prevent or slow the condition, your doctor will recommend surgery. Your doctor will consider what type of surgery is right for you. This could be bursectomy, tendon repair, ankylosing spondylitis, or total joint replacement.

Occupational physiotherapy:

Occupational physical therapy is an important part of the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The experts will provide you with an exercise plan, teach you how to heat and cool, give you therapeutic massages, and keep you motivated. Besides, experts will consider some auxiliary tools to help you perform the movements more easily.

Exercise helps reduce rheumatoid arthritis:

When joints are painful, you tend to be less active. However, regular exercise is key to reducing joint pain. In addition to helping reduce symptoms of the disease, exercise also helps strengthen bones (especially those taking steroid medications), stronger muscles, and helps improve energy and mood.

Rheumatoid arthritis is quite dangerous when it affects many other parts of the body. Timely treatment helps you limit the risk of bone deformities.