Introduction
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic and serious disease of the joints. In this, the tissues of the joint parts of the body start getting damaged, due to which pain and swelling starts in the joints.
Causes
The actual causes of rheumatoid arthritis have not been discovered till date. In this disease, the patient's immunity becomes abnormal. Along with this, many other reasons are considered responsible for this disease such as:
Genetic causes
Hormones: Hormones are considered to be the cause of this disease because this disease occurs more in women than in men.
Possibility of infection by viruses and bacteria
Symptoms
Along with the symptoms of common joint diseases, the following symptoms may appear:
Pain: The cause of pain in rheumatoid arthritis is the inflammation in the joints and the tissues around it. In this, the intensity of pain keeps increasing and decreasing.
Stiffness: Stiffness or rigidity in the muscles reduces the movement of the joints, especially it is felt more in the morning, which later starts appearing during the day as well.
Inflammation: In rheumatoid arthritis, symptoms like redness on the joints, softening of the skin and burning sensation are seen.
Swelling: In the affected joint and the muscles around it, swelling occurs.
Nodules: In this, small boils and pimples also appear around the joints. This mostly happens on the elbows of the hand.
Testing and diagnosis
After seeing the complete condition of the patient's disease, the current state of the disease such as pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints, etc., the doctor gives appropriate advice for the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. In this disease, it cannot be confirmed by relying on any one test. To confirm the disease and check its severity, the patient may have to undergo some laboratory tests along with X-ray. The doctor may advise you to get the following tests done;
TC i.e. Total Blood Count test can be done to check the blood cells present in the patient's blood.
ESR, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate and CRP, C-creative Protein Test.
Generally, the level of both of these is quite high in the blood in rheumatoid arthritis and this also easily reveals the severity of the disease.
Immunologic test, this detects antibodies and rheumatoid factor, ANA, anti-RA,33, anti-CCP, in the blood.
Kidney, liver function test, checking electrolytes such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium etc.
Apart from the above laboratory tests, the doctor may also advise to get an X-ray of the affected organs of the patient done to identify and confirm the disease.
In the early stages of the disease, general X-rays can be done to see the damage to the joints;
MRI can be done to see the degeneration of bones in the early stages;
Ultrasound can also be done to see the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the joints.
Bone scanning test for pain and inflammation in the bones
Densitometry test can also be done to measure the thickness and hardness of the bones, which also indicates osteoporosis.
Arthroscopy can also be done to see the condition inside the joints. This gives an accurate diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and other types of joint pain.
Treatment
In rheumatoid arthritis, other supportive treatments along with medication also prove to be quite effective.
Drug-free treatment for rheumatoid arthritis may include the following:
Physical therapy: It improves joint movement, muscle strength, and reduces pain.
