Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease, which means that your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body by mistake, causing inflammation painful swelling in the affected parts of the body. RA mainly attacks the joints, usually many joints at once. RA commonly affects joints in the hands, wrists, and knees. In a joint with RA, the lining of the joint becomes inflamed, causing damage to joint tissue. This tissue damage can cause long-lasting or chronic pain, unsteadiness lack of balance , and deformity misshapenness.
RA can also affect other tissues throughout the body and cause problems in organs such as the lungs, heart, and eyes. With RA, there are times when symptoms get worse, known as flares, and times when symptoms get better, known as remission. The specific causes of RA are unknown, but some factors can increase the risk of developing the disease. Unlike the risk factors above which may increase risk of developing RA, at least one characteristic may decrease risk of developing RA.
RA is diagnosed by reviewing symptoms, conducting a physical examination, and doing X-rays and lab tests. Diagnosis and effective treatments, particularly treatment to suppress or control inflammation, can help reduce the damaging effects of RA. A doctor or a team of doctors who specialize in care of RA patients should diagnose and treat RA. Halyna Kuzyshyn, M. Roughly 54 million adults have been doctor-diagnosed with arthritis — and according to the Arthritis Foundation , the number of people battling this disease by is projected to soar to over 78 million.
Arthritis is a general term that encompasses conditions of joint pain and functional limitations. Symptoms of joint swelling, pain, stiffness, and a decreased range of motion mark the illness. There are many different types of arthritis, divided into two main categories: inflammatory and non-inflammatory. You must believe in the goal. In a study published in December in The Clinical Journal of Pain , researchers found that optimism and mental resilience were associated with less pain severity in people with or at risk for knee osteoarthritis.
Dehydration is linked to fatigue, a slower metabolism, worse cognitive functioning, and the formation of kidney stones.
You may be surprised to learn that lack of hydration is also tied to increased joint pain. Joint protection is an important part of any treatment program for RA. The goal is to reduce pain, prevent deformity, stabilize the joints, and reduce stress on the joints. This is accomplished through the use of splints, braces , or assistive devices; exercise; proper body mechanics; pacing your activities; and modifying your environment if necessary.
Failure to protect your joints can make RA worse. Research suggests that tooth loss may predict RA and its severity. Researchers who have studied the connection between RA and periodontal disease discovered similarities in the joint and oral tissues, and in the inflammatory processes that affect them. The types of cells that infiltrate both tissues of the joints in RA and of the mouth in periodontitis — a progressive form of gum disease — are similar.
Also, the levels of pro-inflammatory proteins, such as tumor necrosis factor TNF , interleukin-1, and interleukin-6, are also similar in both RA and periodontitis. There are potential consequences when oral health is neglected. It is a waste of time and money, especially if you abandon the prescribed treatment from your rheumatologist in favor of the unproven remedy that is cloaked in deception.
You risk making your RA worse. How long you spend in this phase of waiting and self-treating is crucial, because, with RA, early diagnosis and early treatment is imperative to slowing disease progression and preventing joint deformity. Waiting too long can make your RA worse. Any new or worsening symptoms that were previously well managed can be a sign RA is progressing. Be sure to reach out to your doctor to talk about next steps, which may involve a change in treatment.
0コメント