People who have Rheumatoid arthritis often say that they
feel as if they have a virus. They feel fatigued and have
aching muscles. About 20 million people around the world have
Rheumatoid arthritis. About three quarters of these people
are women. It can begin at any age but usually seems to start
in mid life. Rheumatoid arthritis in children is quite different.
It can be severe and then it can result in deformtities in
the joints. Fortunately most people lead normal or nearly
normal lives and do not suffer from the severe form.
In Rheumatoid arthritis, the synovial membrane lining of
the joint becomes inflamed. As a result the joint becomes
swollen and feels puffy. Because there is increased blood
flow the joint feels warm to the touch. The cells release
enzymes into the joint space and these cause further irritation
and pain. If this continues for years the enzymes gradually
digest the cartilage and bone, causing damage to the joint
itself.
To diagnose Rheumatoid arthritis there must be swelling and
pain in one or more joints for at least six weeks. Usually
both sides of the body are affected. Sometimes the condition
can skip around from joint to joint, but the wrists and the
knuckles are almost always involved. Sometimes small lumps
appear beneath the skin and these are known as rheumatoid
nodules. The nodules are an inflammation of a small blood
vessel and they come and go during the course of the illness.
In rare cases they can become infected and even more rarely
they can appear in the lungs and other parts of the body.
Most people with Rheumatoid arthritis notice problems in
other parts of their bodies other than the joints. Usually
there are muscle aches, fatigue, muscle stiffness (particularly
in the morning) and sometimes even a low fever. Some people
also have a problem with fluid accumulation around the ankles.
A Baker's cyst which is a synovial sac full of fluid can appear
behind the knees or the fluid in the joint can become infected
and require immediate treatment.
It is important to treat the disease in the early stages
as it becomes less aggressive with time and if treated early
the joints will work well long after it subsides. You should
consult your Doctor who may want to refer you to a Rheumatologist.
The underlying problem is the Synovitis, the inflammation
of the joint membrane, the enzymes which are being released
and slowly damaging the joint structure. Painkillers can decrease
the discomfort but they do not stop the damage. In fact the
pain per se helps to protect the joint by discouraging too
much use. Therefore it's important to treat the inflammation
which causes the pain.
Rest reduces the inflammation, but it also lets the joints
get stiff and the muscles get weak. So it is important to
exercise in moderation. Listen to your body and know when
to stop. If it hurts don't do it. Sometimes a painful joint
will require a splint to help it rest and then you can progressively
exercise it to get it working again. Walking and swimming
are good exercises and regular exercise done daily is better
than spurts.
Remember none of the information is intended to replace the advice of your Doctor or other healthcare practitioner. Please make sure you ask their advice before you follow any information or take any of the products on this site.
If you have Rheumatoid arthritis and would like to contribute
to this page please email me  .
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