Are You Suffering From Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)?
Are You Suffering From RA?
Rheumatoid arthritis, commonly known as RA, is an autoimmune disorder that causes chronic inflammation in your joints. As an autoimmune disorder, it is due to your bodies immune system mistakenly attacking its own tissue. Compared to osteoarthritis, which is usually due to normal wear-and-tear on your body, RA directly affects the lining of your joints, causing swelling that can become painful and even result in deformity and erosion of bone. Despite its significant effect on, and therefore association with, joints, RA can also affect multiple other body systems. These alternatively involved systems can cause symptoms that may not generally be associated with RA.
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Skin – Rheumatoid nodules (small lumps under the skin over bony areas)
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Eyes – Dryness, pain, redness, sensitivity to light, and impaired vision
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Lungs – Inflammation and scarring that can lead to shortness of breath.
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Mouth/Salivary Glands – Dryness, gum irritation, propensity to infection.
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Blood Vessels – Inflammation of vessels that can damage nerves, skin, and other organs.
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Tender, warm, swollen joints
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Joint stiffness; especially in the morning or after periods of inactivity
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Fatigue
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Fever
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Loss of Appetite
Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms tend to vary in magnitude, having episodes of increased severity called “flares” followed by relative remission, where swelling and pain fade or even disappear.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis
RA can be difficult to diagnose directly, as there is no single blood test or physical symptom that can be used as a diagnostic tool. While there are blood, imaging, and physical tests that doctors can perform, they must be used in conjunction before a doctor can reach a conclusion and make a diagnosis based on their findings.
RA and You
Unfortunately, there is no cure for RA, but there are a wide variety of Rheumatoid arthritis treatments.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatments
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Medications – NSAIDs, Steroids, Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs), and Biologic Agents
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Physical Therapy to avoid prolonged times of inactivity.
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Surgery – Synovectomy (removal of joint lining), Tendon repair, Joint fusion, or Joint replacement.
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Diet and Lifestyle changes
While more traditional routes can help to manage RA, do not underestimate the effect that diet and lifestyle can have on the quality of life with RA. Diets high in fatty fish, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, peas and beans, nuts, and olives can help to reduce Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and possibly decrease flare occurrences. Healthy lifestyles like weight maintenance and active life can also help to reduce the severity of flares when they occur. Here at Thrive, our certified Functional Medicine (IFM) providers are accustomed to treating complex and intertwined health issues like RA from a functional and preventative standpoint. Allow Thrive to play an integral part in your journey to optimal health and wellness in 2019!
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