Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease of unknown origin that affects the connective tissue. The disease is characterized by symmetrical inflammation of the joints (often the feet and hands), extra-articular symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are also observed. The disease can begin at any age, but the peak occurs in men at 40 - 60 years old, in women - at 35 - 55 years old.
Women get it 3-4 times more often than men. Rheumatoid arthritis is progressive and often disabling.
The disease is characterized by a complex autoimmune mechanism of occurrence and development. For unknown reasons, cells of the immune system begin to attack the tissues of the joints. This leads to the destruction of bones, cartilage, ligaments and the formation of scar tissue in the joint. These changes occur at different rates in affected people.
Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms
In some cases, the disease begins acutely, with suddenthere is pain in many joints at once. Provoking factors can be mental trauma, hypothermia, prolonged exposure to the sun.
Most often, rheumatoid arthritis develops gradually. The medical history indicates that the clinical picture unfolds over several months and even years. First there is stiffness and pain in the small joints of the feet and hands, especially after a night and a long rest. In approximately 70% of cases, symmetrical polyarthritis develops, in the rest, monoarthritis is observed: this may be inflammation of one knee joint. Sometimes, before the onset of joint symptoms, there is an increase in body temperature and an increase in lymph nodes. With rheumatoid disease, almost all joints can be affected, except for the lumbar and thoracic spine. In half of the sick people, the hip joints are involved in the process.
Characteristic symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are morning stiffness and soreness that improves during the daytime. The affected area swells and becomes warm. The joints quickly deform, increase in size, their full flexion or extension becomes impossible, swelling of the wrist leads to compression of the tendons, the muscles begin to atrophy.
Extra-articular symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are also present, since other important organs are also affected in addition to the joints: kidneys, lungs, heart, intestines.
May develop vasculitis, eye inflammation, pleurisy, pneumonia, pericarditis,kidney damage with the development of renal failure. Subcutaneous nodes are found in a third of patients. Vasculitis (vascular disease) often causes leg ulcers.
Treatment
Joint-deforming rheumatoid arthritis (photos show this) is an incurable disease with severe consequences. The main thing is to avoid dangerous complications, so you will have to control the disease for the rest of your life. Treatment is primarily aimed at relieving the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. To do this, use medicines, exercise therapy, diet. In some cases, resort to the operational method.
The cure is lifestyle changes. This includes proper nutrition, weight loss or control, providing rest to sore joints. At the same time, therapeutic exercises are necessary to avoid contractures (limited mobility).
If symptoms are severe, use a cane or walker to relieve strain and reduce pain.
To get rid of swelling and pain, patients are prescribed medication. Antirheumatic drugs are used to modify the course of the disease and suppress the activity of immune cells that destroy joints. However, these medicines have many side effects, so constant medical supervision is important. In addition, anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics are prescribed for pain relief.
