Rheumatoid Arthritis: Symptoms and Treatment

This article will discuss the symptoms, treatment, and diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.

It is an inflammatory disease that causes pain discomfort in the joints along with their deformation. This disease usually develops after the age of thirty. Every hundredth inhabitant suffers from it on the planet. Women are three times more likely than men to detect symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. The photo presented in the article shows that this disease mainly affects the small joints of the hands, knees and ankles, leading to their destruction and impaired functionality. Without timely treatment, rheumatoid arthritis can cause serious complications that can result in disability. We will tell about what this disease is and how its treatment is carried out. What are the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis?

How is the disease formed?

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, that is, it is associated with a violation of the immune system in humans. With the development of arthritis, the immune system mistakenly takes articular cells for foreign elements, and considers them as viruses and bacteria, so it tries to destroy them as soon as possible. Such a process can last for years, so it is very important to recognize the first symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in a timely manner.

Often this disease can begin with damage to the knee joints. At the beginning, the patient will feel weak with malaise and fever and loss of appetite. Then, as a result, he dramatically loses weight. Joint problems at the same time fade into the background, and may even be absent. As the disease develops, new joints are involved in this process, and immediately after the treatment of exacerbations they are not as mobile as before and are deformed. Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis of the knee joint are rather unpleasant.

Over time, signs associated with damage to the internal organs may join. The lungs and heart begin to suffer along with blood vessels, kidneys, eyes and salivary glands. With the development of rheumatoid polyarthritis, dense nodules often form under the skin.

Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

The main signs of the development of pathology are the following:

• The presence of a symmetrical lesion of small joints of the hands. Most often, if several joints on the right hand hurt, then the same ones on the left.
• The appearance of morning stiffness arising from a decrease in the number of movements and general changes in the muscles.

Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis:

• the appearance of joint pain, which is most clearly felt at night or early in the morning;
• increase in temperature to thirty-eight degrees;
• the appearance of insomnia;
• observation of body fatigue along with its weakness, decreased appetite and, as a result, weight loss;
• the appearance of rheumatoid nodules in the elbows.

What are the causes of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms?

The causes of the formation of the disease

The main cause of the disease is autoimmune inflammation. Under the influence of a genetic factor and infection (most likely viral), the immune system develops in the human body, which are deposited in the tissues. First of all, in the cartilage tissues of the joints. Then, an inflammatory process forms in the deposition area. We talked about the symptoms above. Treatment for rheumatoid arthritis will be considered a little later. The onset of the disease can be triggered by the following factors:

• Infections. The fact is that immune cells can respond to microbes with viruses that remain in the joints after infections.
• Hypothermia, respiratory diseases, and, in addition, flu or tonsillitis.
• The presence of joint injuries.
• Long experiences along with stress.
• The presence of a hereditary predisposition.

Relatives of patients who are sick with rheumatoid arthritis are susceptible to this disease.

It is interesting to note that breastfeeding for two years halves the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis in women.

The treatment of symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in adults is discussed below.

Forms of the disease

Specialists distinguish the following two forms of this disease:

• Seropositive form in which rheumatoid factors are determined in the blood.
• Seronegative type, when the first symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are present, but the corresponding factor in the blood as such is not determined.

How can this disease be distinguished from others?

Rheumatoid arthritis is fairly easy to identify in the presence of many deformed joints. But directly at the initial stages, it is difficult to identify this disease due to the variety of signs.

The signs of this pathology are very similar to the symptoms of rheumatism with arthrosis. But, nevertheless, an experienced doctor can easily distinguish rheumatoid arthritis, which is unlike rheumatism, first of all, that the pain with swelling in the joints in his case can last very long, almost for years. The difference from arthrosis is that with the development of arthritis, pain after exertion only decreases, but does not increase at all. If treatment of the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis of the joints is not started in time, complications can occur.

What are the possible complications?

Damage to the joints leads to a rather rapid onset of disability in patients, which causes a loss of ability not only to work, but also to cope with self-care on their own. The prognosis of the disease directly depends on the degree of organ damage, in particular on the condition of the kidneys.

Unfortunately, the prevention of this disease as such does not yet exist. But you can reduce the rate of progression of the pathology, thereby preventing various complications. But for this you need to follow special rules.

One of the most important is to regularly take basic treatment medications under the supervision of a qualified doctor, avoiding hypothermia and various infections.

What other symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in adults exist?

Diagnostic Methods

When the first symptoms of this disease appear, you should immediately consult a doctor. It is very important to start treatment at an early stage. In this case, articular destruction can be avoided. It should be noted that the diagnostic procedure is not easy, since most of the signs of the disease are non-specific. But, of course, the diagnosis must necessarily be differentiated. First of all, it is important to pay attention to only the manifesting symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Diagnosis should be carried out by a competent specialist.

For example, a doctor is able to make an accurate diagnosis in the presence of the following symptoms:

• The patient has an inflammatory process in more than three joints.
• The pathological process affects the joints of the brush. Against this background, an increase in synovial fluid is observed in the joints.
• At least one wrist is swollen.
• In the morning, stiffness of the joints is observed , disappearing after about an hour. At the same time, similar symptoms persist for a month and a half or more.
• The presence of symmetrical joint damage.
• Under the affected areas there are small nodular formations.
• After radiography in the picture, changes in the joints are noticeable, regardless of the stage of the pathology.
• Rheumatoid factor in this situation is positive.

Basically, patients with the first symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis of the fingers are prescribed the following studies:

• A blood test that allows you to see a decrease in hemoglobin along with the number of red blood cells and platelets.
• Testing for antibodies to the cyclic peptide.
• Laboratory studies of the rheumatoid factor, which make it possible to track how actively pathological processes were started.
• Radiography. On radiological images, you can see any destruction of the skeleton.
• Ultrasound examination of internal organs. Rheumatoid arthritis can contribute to an enlarged spleen.
• Joint fluid sampling with a nodule biopsy.
• Conducting magnetic resonance imaging. This study reflects in detail the overall clinical picture of the disease, and also allows you to determine the cause of its occurrence.
• Arthroscopy This study simultaneously acts as a diagnosis and therapy.

Evidence that the patient develops rheumatoid arthritis may be due to symptoms in the form of skin diseases (vasculitis with dermatitis), pathologies of the lungs, eye diseases, circulatory system disorders, and in addition, the presence of heart and vascular diseases, for example, heart attack or stroke .

It should be noted that the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis can be difficult because the symptoms of the disease are similar to various disorders in the body, for example, pathologies such as gout, osteoarthritis, systemic lupus and infectious inflammation.

In addition, each doctor must carefully keep a history of the diseases of his patients, in which the frequency of exacerbations should be indicated daily, along with the severity, and, in addition, the time of onset of symptoms. And also to appoint frequent medical examinations. The doctor must palpate diseased joints in order to be able to find signs of inflammatory processes in them in time.

At an early stage, this disease is quite difficult to determine. But an experienced doctor can do this. In this regard, limited to visiting only one specialist is not worth it. It is better to contact several rheumatologists at once.

Only differential diagnosis will accurately determine the development of this disease, and prescribe the required therapy.

We examined the diagnosis and symptoms. The treatment of rheumatoid arthritis will be discussed below.

Treatment

The acute stage is stopped by strong analgesics or corticosteroid PVA. Among modern painkillers is the drug Dialrapid. Dialrapid is a powerful accelerated analgesic that combines high power and a high level of safety. The patented technology of combining potassium bicarbonate with potassium diclofenac helps the drug completely dissolve in water and be absorbed by the body, which means it can quickly begin to act in the focus of pain. Potassium diclofenac dissolves faster than traditional diclofenac sodium. Potassium bicarbonate acts as a pH buffer, accelerating and enhancing the healing effect and at the same time protecting the walls of the stomach from irritation. Result: the pronounced effect and relief of acute pain begins within 5 minutes after application.

Therapy involves the use of the following methods:

• The main treatment. It contributes to the overall improvement of the patient.
• The use of anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Conducting physiotherapeutic treatment using medication.
• Conducting treatment using folk recipes.
• Proper nutrition.

Rheumatoid arthritis needs to be treated depending on the nature of the course of the disease and on the severity of the symptoms. Probably, the patient will not need to take serious medications. At the initial stage of the pathology, her therapy is sparing in nature. But if it proves to be ineffective, then more radical types of treatment are prescribed. First of all, the affected joints need rest, since strong and prolonged loads only increase inflammation. Orthopedic tires are used to immobilize the joint.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Medication

As for drug therapy, then doctors have the opportunity to prescribe several groups of drugs:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Ibuprofen, Aspirin, and Diclofenac. Thanks to them, it is possible to remove swelling and swelling in the tissues. In addition, these drugs eliminate pain. "Aspirin" today is already an obsolete remedy that is almost never used in the treatment of this disease, since it has side effects. As for the drug "Ibuprofen", then this medicine is more effective. True, it also to some extent negatively affects the body. It should be noted that the listed drugs are almost never included in the basic treatment, since they cannot qualitatively affect the processes of joint destruction.
• Long-acting medications. They are used when non-steroidal drugs do not provide the desired effect. These include Sulfasalazine along with Penicillamine. They can have a pronounced effect, but due to their intake, patients experience serious adverse reactions in the body. For example, these medicines negatively affect the liver with kidneys and lead to bone deformation. In that case, these drugs must be canceled. True, you can’t do without them always. In such situations, reduce the dosage of the drug to avoid negative consequences.
• Corticosteroids. For example, Prednisolone. These medicines are effective in the early stages of treatment. Later they cease to cause the desired effect. Thus, corticosteroids are only suitable for a temporary improvement in the condition of patients.
• Immunosuppressants. For example, Cyclophosphamide with Azathioprine. They should be taken when the patient’s disease is very difficult. These drugs prevent antibodies from attacking healthy cells. But with prolonged use of such tablets, serious organ damage along with impaired blood formation can develop. In addition, such drugs can increase the risk of cancer, and severe bleeding is not ruled out.
• Physiotherapy. It is prescribed only when the exacerbation of the pathology is removed. Physiotherapeutic procedures can only be used if the patient has no temperature. Physiotherapy has a stimulating effect, but enhances inflammation. However, it is required to improve the functioning of the circulatory system in the joints. Combine it with low-frequency laser therapy, mud baths and ultrasonic irradiation.
• The use of the drug "Methotrexate". But it can be purchased only as directed by a doctor, for which it is necessary to obtain appropriate recommendations. The main effect of this medication is directed to the elimination of compounds responsible for the destruction of connective tissue in the joints. In addition, this drug prevents joint erosion, removing inflammatory processes. True, therapy with its use lasts quite a long time.

In addition to taking pharmaceutical drugs, in the process of treating the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (fingers, for example), a special diet should be followed in parallel. About it below.

Therapeutic diet

Diet with the development of rheumatoid arthritis also plays a significant role. The body during the disease especially needs to be fully provided with the required nutrients. But the patient is not allowed to use everything. For example, it is necessary to limit the intake of protein foods along with salt and animal fats.

During the period of exacerbation of the disease, it is necessary to completely abandon the use of alcohol, and, in addition, from sugar. Sour-milk drinks and cottage cheese are considered very useful. It is equally important that the patient's diet must always have fresh vegetables with fruits and herbs. As part of the diet, fish dishes and aspic are considered extremely useful.

The nuances of treatment

It should be noted that drug treatment is most effective only in combination with physiotherapeutic methods and physiotherapy exercises. Classes in the pool are considered very effective, since there is an active movement of the joints, against which they do not experience stress.

In some cases, patients are prescribed surgery. True, such a radical intervention is an extreme measure. Medicine allows in such situations to completely or partially replace the diseased joint with an artificial analogue.

Thanks to this measure, it is possible to restore the normal mobility of the affected joint, avoiding disability. In some cases, surgery is aimed at joint fusion, for example, with foot damage. At the same time, specialists manage to achieve a decrease in a pain attack.

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There are contraindications. It is necessary to consult with a specialist.