Undifferentiated arthritis (ICD 10) is a serious disease that affects the joints. It is very difficult to treat this type of arthritis, primarily because of its unpredictability, but it is necessary to try to achieve stable remission, because the joints are organs that allow the body to be a whole organism, and violation of their work significantly limits the freedom of human action.
Undifferentiated arthritis is a fairly common disease. Joint problems overshadow the lives of a huge number of people around the world. Only in our country, about one in eight residents suffers from them. The saddest thing is that arthritis and arthrosis can provoke the development of concomitant diseases associated with limited mobility: hernias, scoliosis, spondylosis, loss of ability to move and act with one’s hands.
Why does undifferentiated arthritis occur?
The human immune system is the most complex mechanism that protects the entire body from the penetration of pathogenic bacteria and viruses. It produces special antibodies that destroy foreign microorganisms.
However, sometimes a failure occurs in the smooth running of this system, and then antibodies from allies turn into enemies. They begin to destroy the cells of the connective tissue, striking the joints. This is how undifferentiated arthritis manifests itself.
As a result, the affected tissue begins to deform, causing suffering to the person. In addition, often such changes become pathological, leading to the formation of tumors, both benign and malignant, that is, oncology appears.
A very common question that patients ask is about which doctor treats arthritis. This is done by rheumatologists and arthrologists.
Provocative factors
The causes of undifferentiated arthritis are not completely determined, the course of the disease is difficult to predict, so only assumptions are put forward that can provoke its development:
- violated genetics - a tendency to diseases of this type can be inherited;
- a long stay in the cold often causes inflammation of the joints, as a result - arthritis, including undifferentiated;
- overweight and pregnancy increase the load on the joints and their deformation;
- stresses can disrupt the hormonal balance, and this, in turn, cause softening and other problems of connective tissue (this is how undifferentiated arthritis appears, we will discuss the symptoms below);
- viral infections, allergies and various inflammations always give complications to the joints, even if it does not appear immediately;
- autoimmune diseases affecting the production of = antibodies;
- joint injuries, regular exercise in heavy physical labor or sports, overloading fragile cartilage too much.
Symptoms
Undifferentiated arthritis is called so because any joint of the body can be affected during its course, while other types of arthritis only hit joints in certain areas. Affected joints swell and become inflamed, become hot to the touch, and the skin above them may turn red. Strong painful sensations appear. Movement becomes difficult and also painful.
Often there is a fever with chills and fever. Then comes the deformation of the joints, they bend, become nodular and partially or completely lose mobility. This form of the disease entails the appointment of disability.
This is dangerous arthritis. Symptoms and treatment are often interconnected.
Diagnostics
At the disposal of modern medicine there are many means by which the diagnosis can be confirmed or refuted. Specialists rheumatologists and arthrologists usually prescribe a full examination in order to collect the most complete history to eliminate errors:
- X-ray examination to see if tissue changes have already begun;
- Ultrasound
- CT scan;
- Magnetic resonance imaging;
- general and biochemical blood tests;
- immunological blood test;
- fecal analysis;
- general urine analysis;
- joint puncture - arthroscopy - involves the collection of intraarticular fluid and its study.
So arthritis is detected. Symptoms and treatment are closely related. Success depends on it.
Treatment with traditional medicine
All appointments should be directed to complex therapy:
- anesthesia of problem joints;
- removal of inflammation and swelling;
- slowing or stopping the development of damage to the connective tissue;
- elimination of the provoking factors of the disease;
- prevention of the spread of foci of the disease;
- achievement of remission.
Medicines
1. First of all, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and medications based on them are prescribed: "Ibuprofen", "Diclofenac", "Indomethacin", "Nimesulide" and others. In addition to quickly relieving inflammation, they also greatly alleviate the painful manifestations of undifferentiated arthritis. The drugs of this group are good in that they have few contraindications and side effects, that is, they can be taken by a wide range of patients. In the case when the appointment of NSAIDs is impossible, glucocorticosteroids - hormonal drugs are used.
2. To strengthen articular tissues (cartilage and bones) chondroprotectors are prescribed. They partially stop the development of the disease, promote the regeneration of damaged joints, and prevent repeated attacks of the disease. The most common chondroprotectors are Glucosamine and Chondroitin - they normalize the production of healthy synovial fluid in the joints and serve as material for the restoration of damaged tissues. Due to the fact that the elasticity of the joints increases, motor functions return to them.
If the development of the disease has gone so far that drug treatment does not help, the doctor may decide on surgery and replace the joint surgically. This operation is called arthroplasty.
Joint treatment with folk remedies at home
At the very beginning of the disease, the use of herbs for the treatment of undifferentiated arthritis has proven itself well. With their help, you can not only achieve persistent and long-term remission, but also cure the ailment. The following herbs are recommended for use:
1. Willow bark. 5 g per glass of boiling water, leave for 10 minutes, take 2 times a day. No sweeteners can be added. The duration of treatment is 10-14 days. Here, it is necessary to separately note the white willow, which eliminates pain and inflammation, is taken in capsules of 100 mg per day.
2. Tincture of comfrey on alcohol relieves swelling and inflammatory processes, as a result of which pain symptoms are reduced.
3. Turmeric - one of the best anti-inflammatory drugs of traditional medicine. 400 mg of turmeric on an empty stomach is usually taken per day, adding Bromelain 1000. Turmeric is sold in some pharmacies in the form of capsules, which makes it easier to take.
4. Horsetail - a natural chondroprotector, helps to absorb calcium, restores damaged cartilage and bone tissue. Take 3 capsules daily for 2 weeks. Horsetail essential oil can be added to the bathtub to reduce swelling of the joints. It should be borne in mind that the essential oil must first be dissolved in an emulsifier - milk, honey, cream, sea or table salt, any base or vegetable oil, sugar.
5. Fresh ginger, like turmeric, perfectly muffles inflammatory processes. Grate it and make 1 teaspoon of pulp with boiling water. You can add honey and lemon.
6. Angelica root is used as a compress on joints to relieve pain and cramping. Essential oil is also added to the water when taking a bath.
7. A teaspoon of burdock root in a glass of boiling water - this remedy will help against swollen joints, effectively removing swelling.
8. Swelling, pain and inflammation will relieve comfrey oil. Lubricating the affected areas, you can quickly get the desired result.
9. The action of dioica nettle is similar to the action of horsetail, so you can take the tool that will be easier to find.
All this is the treatment of joints with folk remedies, at home, which everyone can do.
Preventative measures
The most important thing is to get rid of bad habits. Smoking is the first way to “kill” joints. Under the influence of nicotine, the connective tissue undergoes destruction, and antibodies do not have time to restore it.
Strong coffee, consumed in large quantities, works in approximately the same way - more than 4-5 cups per day. It leaches calcium from joints and bones, making them brittle and brittle.
Alcohol promotes the development of inflammation and provokes the deformation of cartilage. Of course, a glass of wine or a glass of vodka will not harm the body, but the regular use of strong drinks will quickly and efficiently make a person disabled.
Overweight in itself is a threat to the health of the joints, and because of it, immunity is often weakened, which allows pathogenic bacteria and microbes to penetrate into the tissues and affect them. Severe influenza, intestinal infections and diseases of the genital area can give serious complications to the joints.
We examined in detail a disease such as undifferentiated arthritis. What it is has become more clear.
Arthritis Diet
To avoid illness, it is not necessary to go on a strict diet. It is enough to include vegetables and fruits in the diet - nutritionists recommend eating 4-5 servings (pieces) per day. Fiber, which is in them, regulates the digestion process and helps to increase the digestibility of vitamins and minerals. Cereals enrich the body with the necessary energy and help maintain normal weight. Dairy products are suppliers of such essential calcium. And so that it is better absorbed, it is necessary to eat the liver, especially cod liver, legumes, cocoa, fish, herbs and eggs, as well as seasonings such as poppy seeds and sesame.
Conclusion
If undifferentiated arthritis is detected, the prognosis is usually good, but it will all depend on the timeliness of treatment.
To prevent the occurrence of the disease, nothing supernatural is required. A proper lifestyle and a balanced diet will always help you stay healthy and avoid not only arthritis, but also many other unpleasant diseases. Then you won’t have to wonder which doctor treats arthritis.