Rheumatoid arthritis is a serious joint disease characterized by an autoimmune nature. This ailment breaks into a person’s life unexpectedly and begins to progress rapidly. This article provides information on the topic "Rheumatoid arthritis of the fingers: causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention."
general information
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic joint pathology whose symptoms affect a person’s quality of life. Lack of timely treatment can lead to disability. People of all ages are prone to the disease, but more often it affects women after the age of 30.
Scientists have proven the role of emotions in the occurrence of rheumatoid arthritis. This disease affects emotionally restrained people who constantly hide their true feelings. This theory has been repeatedly confirmed by scientific research.
The autoimmune system responds to any stress by the injection of specific hormones into the blood, increasing the likelihood of a response from the body. Cells begin to attack and destroy joints, perceiving them as foreign agents. Lymphocytes at this moment secrete inflammatory mediators - these are special substances characterized by the ability to penetrate the joint and destroy its structures. In this case, the synovial membrane is severely damaged. It swells and hypertrophies, and over time it can grow directly into cartilage and ligaments, weakening the entire structure.
Why does rheumatoid arthritis of the fingers occur ?
The first symptoms of the disease appear on the background of malfunctions in the functioning of the immune system. The causes of its occurrence are still poorly understood. Among the factors that increase the likelihood of developing pathology, doctors include the following:
- metabolic disease;
- injuries and mechanical damage to the joints;
- infections, viral diseases (acute respiratory infections, flu, tonsillitis);
- smoking; overweight;
- hereditary predisposition.
Do not disregard working conditions as a factor affecting the occurrence of rheumatoid arthritis. This pathology belongs to the category of occupational diseases and is mainly found among jewelers, tennis players, musicians.
Rheumatoid arthritis of the fingers: the first symptoms
The treatment of pathology cannot be imagined without revealing the full clinical picture.
First, the metacarpophalangeal joints of the fingers become inflamed and swollen. The wrist area is also often involved in the pathological process. Almost always, joint damage is bilateral in nature. Pain discomfort intensifies at night, and subsides only in the morning. Relief is observed after a short warm-up. However, as the disease progresses, attacks are repeated more often.
Rheumatoid nodules gradually appear . These are small formations, dense in their consistency. They can decrease in volume, then completely disappear, but after a while the "peas" reappear. The formations do not cause concern, they create only a cosmetic defect.
The first symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis of the fingers can be accompanied by signs of general intoxication of the body. Patients usually complain of weakness, an unreasonable increase in temperature, loss of appetite and chills.
The expanded stage of the disease is characterized by the occurrence of deformation of the fingers. Doctors often diagnose ulnar deviation. This is a condition in which fingers bend outward, are fixed in the wrong position, as a result of which mobility in the wrist joints is impaired. Against the background of this pathological process, blood circulation in the hands worsens, they become pale, and the muscles gradually atrophy.
If you find the first symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in your fingers, it is recommended to consult a doctor immediately. Many attribute the manifestations of the disease to age or are self-medicating. At the initial stage of the development of pathology, a few people come to a specialist's appointment. The others postpone the visit each time until the stiffness and soreness in the joints causes a refusal to work.
Disease classification
We have already described what symptoms are accompanied by rheumatoid arthritis of the fingers. The classification of this disease, which is used in modern medicine, involves the identification of several stages of the development of the pathological process. Next, consider each in more detail.
- The first stage is not accompanied by an obvious clinical picture. If you know what signs you should pay attention to, you can independently determine the rheumatoid arthritis of the fingers. The first symptoms of an ailment are stiffness of movements, when a person in the morning cannot perform elementary tasks (open a tap or turn on the kettle).
- The second stage is characterized by the formation of bone erosion, the manifestations of the disease become pronounced. The joints begin to hurt and swell. Obvious discomfort is now manifested not only in the morning, but even during the day.
- In the third stage, joint deformation begins. The pain becomes so severe that a person is forced to consult a doctor. Symptoms of pathology do not go away without taking potent medicines.
- Fourth stage. Gradually, articular cartilage is fused. The patient can not perform basic actions with his hands. A person becomes so helpless that he is assigned a disability group.
Diagnostic Principles
To confirm the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis of the fingers, the first symptoms are an important indicator of the presence of a pathological process. However, to determine the severity of the disease and the presence of concomitant disorders, patients are prescribed a comprehensive examination. It includes radiography, a blood test for rheumatic tests.
X-ray disease is manifested by blurring the boundaries of the surfaces of the bones, reducing the space between them. A blood test confirms the presence of an inflammatory process due to the appearance of special proteins. Confirmation of the diagnosis is possible only after evaluating the totality of symptoms, the results of x-ray and laboratory studies.
Forecast
The faster the specialist confirms the final diagnosis and prescribes individual treatment, the higher the chances of a quick recovery. If the pathology cannot be completely defeated, most patients usually experience persistent remission. Joint mobility persists for a long period of time. A person until the end of his life is able to independently serve himself, as well as work until his retirement. Thus, the prognosis for this pathology directly depends on the implementation of the doctor's prescriptions.
Drug therapy
Rheumatoid arthritis, as a rule, proceeds systemically. Gradually, many joints are involved in the pathological process, starting with the smallest and ending with large structures. This means that without medical treatment, patients with this diagnosis can not do. If you strictly follow all the doctor’s prescriptions, the risk of complications can be minimized. How to treat rheumatoid arthritis of the fingers?
The first symptoms of the disease must be stopped with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. “Ibuprofen”, “Diclofenac”, “Voltaren” help reduce swelling and soreness, which immediately affects the patient's condition.
Doctors also recommend medications based on glucosamine and chondroitin. The minimum course of treatment is three months. In the future, the feasibility of taking drugs depends on the well-being of the patient.
The course of therapy includes medications that contribute to vasodilation ("Theonikol", "Actovegil"). Injections of drugs are administered intramuscularly.
Help traditional medicine
Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis of the joints of the fingers and hands with the help of traditional medicine is especially effective at the initial stage of the disease. Before using this or that prescription, it is important to consult a doctor.
Wax wraps are an excellent remedy for rheumatoid arthritis. To prepare it, you will need to melt 100-150 g of beeswax in a water bath, add pods of hot pepper. After about 10 minutes, the pepper must be removed, replacing it with 50 drops of hypericum oil. The resulting product is recommended to be stored in the freezer, before pouring into special molds for ice. To use it, one cube must be melted, put the mass on cellophane and wrap the affected hand with it.
You can make baths with the addition of herbal preparations. The most effective is a mixture of St. John's wort, aloe juice, yarrow, meadowsweet. These plants are recommended for patients with a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis of the fingers and toes. Treatment and symptoms of diseases have much in common, despite the fact that these are completely different parts of the body.
Preventive actions
It is not possible to completely protect yourself from rheumatoid arthritis. However, doctors identify a number of preventive measures aimed at reducing the risk of its occurrence.
First of all, it is necessary to take vitamin complexes to provide joints with useful substances and trace elements. Exercising, refusing addiction, hardening the body - the key to good health. It is important to constantly monitor body weight and try to avoid its wavelike vibrations.
In the materials of this article, we talked about the difference between rheumatoid arthritis of the joints of the fingers, symptoms and methods of treating this insidious disease. Compliance with basic preventive measures minimizes the risk of developing this pathology. Be healthy!