Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common type of autoimmune arthritis and a chronic inflammatory disorder that can affect more than just joints of the body. It begins when immune system mistakenly attacks body’s own tissues and cause inflammation in the lining of joints.

CAUSES:

Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when body’s immune system attacks its own healthy cells. The exact reason behind Rheumatoid arthritis is still unknown. Some risks factors definitely increase the risk to develop rheumatoid arthritis.

RISK FACTORS:

Family history

Smoking

Obesity

Age, middle aged people are at more risk.

SYMPTOMS:

Commonly Rheumatoid arthritis affects joints so the common symptoms are -

Joint pain

Joint inflammation, warmth and redness

Stiffness mainly in the morning.

Some other symptoms may also appear, Such as-

Fatigue

Loss of joint function and deformities

Loss of appetite

Sweating

Low grade fever

DIAGNOSIS:

At early stage it’s very difficult to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis as its sign and symptoms are same as of some other diseases. Later on, it can be diagnosed by-

Physical examination

Blood test

Imaging tests like x-ray, MRI and ultrasound tests.

 

TREATMENT:

There is no treatment to cure rheumatoid arthritis completely, the main purpose of the treatment is to improve symptoms and slowing disease progression. Medications generally prescribed by physicians are-

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs

Apart from medications physical therapy also helps to manage rheumatoid arthritis.

 

References:

https://www.physio-pedia.com/Rheumatoid_Arthritis

https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/rheumatoid-arthritis.html

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20353648

https://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/rheumatoid-arthritis-basics