Rheumatoid arthritis: how to bring joints in order

Rheumatoid arthritis is a severe chronic joint disease that occurs with a lot of complications. Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by chronic inflammation of the joints, most often of the hands, knees, ankle and ankles. This disease affects people of all ages, but is more common in those over 30. Women are more prone to arthritis than men.

Causes of rheumatoid arthritis

Specialists have not yet been able to fully understand the causes of arthritis. It is known only that rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, which means that it arises from a malfunction in the body's immune system. The risk factors that can contribute to the development of arthritis are joint injuries, infections (including acute respiratory disease and influenza), hypothermia and stress.

Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis usually develops slowly and imperceptibly. A person may not show any symptoms for a long time until a significant amount of antibodies appear in the body that affect his own tissues. Typically, the most common symptoms of arthritis include:

• Stiffness in the joints in the morning or after a long stay in one position (morning stiffness usually lasts about 1 hour)
• Joint pain
• Swelling or swelling of inflamed joints
• Increased skin temperature in the area of the affected joint
• Deformation of the joints
• Weakness and fatigue
• Inflammation of the salivary glands
• Decreased appetite

Rheumatoid arthritis can affect not only the joints, but also other tissues of the body. So, possible complications of arthritis include anemia, lung damage, rheumatoid vasculitis, bleeding in the stomach, heart failure.

Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Unfortunately, at present arthritis is an incurable disease, but modern means can slow the progression of the disease, alleviate its symptoms and prevent the occurrence of complications. Timely and competent treatment of arthritis allows most patients to lead a full-fledged lifestyle.

The main methods of treatment include taking medications, physiotherapy, physiotherapy and surgical treatment:

• Drug treatment implies the use of immunosuppressive drugs (inhibit the development of the disease), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (reduce pain and relieve inflammation), antimalarial drugs, corticosteroids and biological drugs.
• Surgical treatment is indicated for severe joint damage to correct their deformities and reduce pain. Common surgical procedures include synovectomy (removal of the joint capsule) and arthroplasty (replacement of the affected joint with an artificial prosthesis).
• Physiotherapy and physiotherapy can increase the mobility of the joint and delay the loss of joint function for a long time.

Patients should understand that treatment must continue throughout life.

Nutrition for rheumatoid arthritis

An important role in the treatment of arthritis is the adherence to a special therapeutic diet. The fact is that some foods can contribute to the progression of the disease. So, people with arthritis should limit or eliminate the consumption of foods such as tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants and sweet peppers. As for the recommended products, this includes all other vegetables and fruits, especially oranges, mandarins, plums, watermelons, carrots, apricots, corn and coriander. These products contain carotenoids, which reduce the risk of developing arthritis.

The prognosis of rheumatoid arthritis is quite individual and depends on the individual characteristics of the patient and the nature of the disease. Nevertheless, with properly selected treatment, most people can remain able-bodied for a long time and lead a full-fledged lifestyle.