Arthritis is an inflammation of a single joint, and if we are talking about the defeat of several, then there is a disease such as polyarthritis. Its symptoms are different and depend on the severity of the course of the disease, so each of the patients notes different manifestations of polyarthritis.
General information
Many reasons can provoke an ailment, starting with disturbances in the body's metabolic processes, allergic reactions, injuries, and ending with the consequences of infectious diseases. It should be noted that the membranes and tissues surrounding the joint itself have a huge number of nerve endings and blood vessels. Due to this, they instantly respond in the form of inflammation to the effects of adverse external or internal factors.
Kinds
Depending on the factors causing the symptoms of polyarthritis, the course of the pathological process differs. Depending on the type of disease, therapy is prescribed.
By the type of course, two forms of the disease are distinguished:
- acute manifestation - as a rule, it begins unexpectedly, accompanied by classical symptoms, which is just characteristic of the disease;
- chronic course - develops in stages and slowly. For some time, the ailment proceeds in a latent form, with almost no symptoms. Periodic exacerbations are followed by remissions. At the time of exacerbations, patients develop painful symptoms characteristic of an acute process.
Depending on the provoking factors, the following types of polyarthritis can be distinguished:
- Gouty - occurs due to deposition in the joints of urates (salts of uric acid). The disease proceeds with periodic exacerbations - pain and intense inflammation of the joints. During periods of remission, the symptoms of polyarthritis of the fingers or other limbs disappear.
- Psoriatic - appears with psoriasis and is characterized by skin manifestations. Sometimes joint problems precede skin changes.
- Infectious - formed due to the ingestion of infections of any kind. Usually the disease affects the joints on the background of a genitourinary or intestinal chronic infection.
- Rheumatoid polyarthritis. The symptoms of this ailment are very colorful, since this is an autoimmune disease, due to which the deformation of the joints begins. The disease symmetrically affects the joints of the feet and hands.
- Ankylosing spondylitis is a polyarthritis that affects joints in the spine. Without adequate treatment, this disease leads to immobilization of the back.
Symptoms of polyarthritis of the joints
Despite the fact that there are several types of polyarthritis, there are common signs that accompany all types of ailments:
- body temperature differences;
- joint pain
- deformation in the affected joints;
- limitation of mobility and activity;
- redness of the skin in places of inflammation.
There are also specific symptoms of polyarthritis, which are characteristic of a certain kind of pathology. They are caused by factors provoking the onset of the disease.
Metabolic polyarthritis appears due to metabolic disorders in the body. This form of malaise is manifested by a fairly pronounced inflammatory process, which is concentrated at the site of joint damage. This type of disease is characterized by acute pain in the affected joint, which disappears after several days. There is also hyperemia and swelling. The disease has a chronic course with the presence of 1-3 exacerbations over one month.
Deforming polyarthritis develops due to a weakened immune system or in autoimmune disorders. This disease is characterized by a chronic course. During exacerbations, patients complain of the classic symptoms of polyarthritis. A photo of the diagnostic process is shown below.
So, the main symptoms are:
- joint pain
- muscle atrophy;
- general weakness, fatigue, decreased performance;
- disturbances in joint mobility (this is especially pronounced in the morning);
- swelling, fever;
- joint deformation;
- redness of the skin in the affected area;
- a significant increase in the diseased joint.
Reactive polyarthritis develops due to past diseases of an inflammatory or infectious nature. The first clinical signs are not specific. Fatigue occurs, the temperature rises slightly, the lymph nodes increase. As the disease develops, the following symptoms of polyarthritis of the arms and legs appear:
- damage to the skin;
- muscle and joint pain in the limbs;
- change in the skin;
- febrile syndrome.
Causes
There are a lot of factors provoking the disease. Among them, the most common hypothermia, metabolic disorders, a banal genetic predisposition.
For infectious polyarthritis, the underlying factors may be previous infectious diseases (gonorrhea, viral hepatitis, dysentery).
Another type of polyarthritis appears due to metabolic disorders in the body.
Post-traumatic polyarthritis is formed due to local trauma or severe allergic reactions.
As for the causes of the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, today experts have no consensus about them.
Danger of disease
Polyarthritis in a neglected form can lead to very dangerous consequences for the body, since the disease disrupts the patient's motor activity, deforms the joints and affects almost the entire body. Polyarthritis is especially dangerous in the absence of an adequate and timely treatment. According to experts, this pathology can cause the development of the following ailments:
- heart disease;
- vasculitis;
- change in visual function;
- anemia
- pericarditis;
- glomerulonephritis;
- bleeding disorder;
- processes of a fibrous nature;
- neuritis.
Treatment of the symptoms of rheumatoid polyarthritis and its other manifestations is required to begin at the earliest stages of the pathological process. In this case, when there is adequate therapy and strict adherence to all medical advice, a stable remission can be achieved, and as a result, the formation of the above complications can be avoided.
Diagnostics
All examinations for this disease begin after studying the clinical picture. In addition, to make an accurate diagnosis and determine the type of disease, the patient must undergo the following types of examinations:
- pass rheumatoid tests;
- laboratory tests of blood and urine;
- X-ray
- arthrography;
- computed and magnetic resonance imaging;
- histological diagnosis.
Only by the results of complex measures does the doctor prescribe a suitable therapy for the patient.
Photo
Treatment of symptoms of polyarthritis and a comprehensive examination of the patient is in the first place with doctors. This ailment delivers many unpleasant consequences, which will be described in detail later in the article.
The photograph and the symptoms described above show that patients affected by this disease cannot receive all the benefits of life that are accessible to people with healthy joints. Polyarthritis does not pass by itself, you need to seek medical help.
Who to contact?
A clear answer to the question: “When treating the symptoms of polyarthritis, which doctor should I go to get expert help?” no, since there are a lot of varieties of the disease and the signs of their appearance, and each doctor is only responsible for his narrow specialization.
The causes of the disease can be many - various infections, pathological changes and injuries. Depending on the symptoms, the patient is referred to an orthopedist, rheumatologist or traumatologist. In large clinics with a large staff, you can get advice from an arthrologist.
An approach is also considered effective when each specialist takes part in therapy at a certain stage. For example:
- surgeon - examines the condition of tissues;
- rheumatologist - most often it is he who prescribes the main treatment and monitors the course of the disease;
- traumatologist - will provide advice and prescribe treatment if the cause of symptoms of polyarthritis of the arms and legs is an old injury.
Many specialists can take part in treatment. Therefore, initially you need to go to the therapist, and he will tell you which doctor to contact if you have symptoms of polyarthritis and prescribe all the necessary tests.
Therapeutic measures
Any treatment should be aimed at achieving the following positive results:
- prevention of further joint deformation;
- relief of inflammation;
- stopping the destruction of cartilage and articular tissues;
- restoration of blood circulation in the affected tissues;
- activation of tissue regeneration and renewal.
To achieve all these goals, modern specialists apply physiotherapy, diet and medication.
Sometimes, in especially difficult situations, there is a need for surgical intervention to improve the patient's condition.
Drug treatment
Various medications are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and its other forms. Here is some of them:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - their action is aimed at reducing inflammation and blocking the activity of prostaglandins, because they play a major role in inflammatory processes. NSAIDs relieve mild to moderate pain. These drugs act very quickly, but have a huge number of side effects. These drugs include Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, Indomethacin and Ketoprofen.
- Corticosteroids remove inflammation and work to suppress the immune system. They help relieve pain, and cope with the symptoms of polyarthritis faster than other remedies. These include: "Dexamethasone", "Prednisolone", "Triamcinolone" and "Metioprednisolone".
- Basic anti-rheumatic drugs (BDP). Their use is aimed at eliminating the causes of polyarthritis. Very often, the drug “Methotrexate” is prescribed, but it can harm the liver, therefore, blood tests are required during the course of taking the drug. Hydroxychloroquine and Sulfasalazine are also agents of this group.
- Anti-TNF drugs contain substances that block tumor necrosis factors. Most often, “Infliximab”, “Etanercept” or “Adalimumab” is prescribed, they are administered intravenously or intramuscularly.
The treatment of the symptoms of rheumatoid polyarthritis should be carried out regularly, since it is impossible to completely remove the signs of the disease. Thanks to therapy, you can return to the patient excellent health and normal level of activity.
Physiological procedures
These methods allow you to stop the pain syndrome, as well as stop the subsequent development of the pathological process and increase the indicators of articular mobility. The following procedures are perfectly suited for these purposes:
- exercise therapy;
- massage;
- ultrasound therapy;
- cryotherapy;
- paraffin baths;
- magnetotherapy;
- barotherapy;
- phonophoresis;
- ozokerite applications.
To treat the symptoms of polyarthritis of the legs and arms, it is often recommended to visit dispensaries and sanatoriums.
Diet
In the fight against the disease, a correct and balanced diet is of great importance. It is important that, along with food, all the necessary vitamins and minerals enter the patient's body. This is necessary for the normalization of metabolic processes.
It is recommended that patients eat small meals, but take food often to prevent obesity, which adversely affects the general condition of the joint tissue.
To prevent symptoms of brachial arthritis and polyarthritis of other parts of the body, you need to add the following products to your diet:
- jelly;
- fresh vegetables and fruits;
- dairy products;
- low-fat fish and meat;
- jelly;
- sorrel;
- rice
- blueberries;
- fruit drinks from various berries.
Here is a list of foods and dishes that you should refrain from:
- tea;
- sweets;
- Tomatoes
- potato;
- bakery products;
- salty, spicy and spicy food;
- alcohol;
- legumes;
- drinks containing caffeine;
- meat broths.
Surgery
Surgical interventions in the treatment of symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and its other varieties are resorted to only in the most difficult and neglected situations, in the late stages of the pathological process, as well as the inefficiency of other types of therapy. In the case of sufficiently severe destruction of the joints, surgery is the only option to normalize the patient's condition and return to him all the colors of life.
Surgical intervention, regardless of type, is aimed at the complete elimination of the pain syndrome and the normalization of joint functioning. Depending on the characteristics of the pathological process and on individual indications to combat the symptoms of polyarthritis of the shoulder joint or other parts of the patient, the following surgical methods are used:
- Prosthetics of a destroyed joint element or its partial replacement.
- Artificial immobilization of the articulation of the joint to activate bone tissue fusion processes.
- Surgical removal of damaged parts of the joint and synovial membranes. Such therapy is used to prevent the spread of inflammation to the area of nearby bone tissue structures.
The optimal type of surgical intervention is selected by the surgeon after making the correct diagnosis, determining the degree of joint damage. Contraindications for surgery and the general health of a particular patient are taken into account.
Folk ways
Treatment of symptoms of polyarthritis with alternative methods is used in cases where the disease was detected at an early stage. Polyarthritis is treated with collections of different herbs. But before using this method, it is mandatory to consult with your doctor so as not to harm the body.
Recipes:
- It is necessary to take equally inflorescences of flowers of thorns, black elderberry, nettle and warty birch leaves to make tea from this collection. For this, 2 tbsp. l Collect 500 ml of hot water. The mixture is brewed for 10 minutes. Use 2 cups of collection per day.
- St John's wort, calamus root, sage and bearberry are taken in equal parts. Two tablespoons of the mixture should be filled with 1 cup of boiling water and brew for 15 minutes. Drink this decoction of 500 ml per day.
- The broth is prepared according to the previous recipe, only for it you will need herbs such as hernia, buckthorn bark, juniper fruits and field horsetail.
- It is also recommended to prepare a collection of field stalnik, soap dish and willow bark. 1.5 tbsp the collection is poured with a glass of boiling water and infused for 10 minutes. After you need to boil the broth for 10 minutes. The broth should be drunk in 3 doses throughout the day.
Prevention
Since many reasons can provoke the development of polyarthritis, as preventive measures, you need to try to prevent their influence on his body. Namely, you need:
- eat well and balanced;
- lead a healthy and active lifestyle;
- start treatment of infections, injuries and other ailments in a timely manner and prevent their transition to a chronic form;
- avoid damage to the joints;
- Do not strain the joints with excessive loads;
- Do not supercool.
Persons with a hereditary predisposition to the formation of the disease require after 45 years every six months to come to the doctor as a prophylaxis and take all the necessary tests.
conclusions
Polyarthritis is a severe joint pathology of an inflammatory nature. This disease affects several joints at once. The causes of this problem are quite diverse and numerous. Since the disease is fraught with the formation of a huge number of complications and, in the absence of treatment, leads to disability, it is recommended to fight it at the very early stages of the disease.
As therapeutic measures, physiotherapy, medications and proper nutrition have proven themselves well. Only with such an integrated approach is it likely to achieve positive and lasting results. With advanced forms of the disease, such methods will no longer help, only surgical intervention is used as a treatment.
To prevent such serious health problems, we advise you to prevent the disease so that you don’t have to look for treatment later.