Rheumatoid arthritis
Introduction
Before we talk about what you can do to manage and treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA), let's be sure we're all talking about the same condition. It's not very common and is often confused with the much more common osteoarthritis, which is the result of wear and tear on joints. In contrast, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, which is an illness that occurs when the body's immune system attacks its own tissues.
Early on, it may be tough to distinguish rheumatoid arthritis symptoms from those of other common illnesses. Fatigue and flulike symptoms and a general sense of not feeling well are common, as is significant weight loss. Other diseases with similar symptoms include lupus, Lyme disease and gout.
After this early stage, however, many people with RA experience chronic inflammation of the joints and often inflammation of the tissues around the joints, which causes swelling, pain, stiffness and redness. Unlike other types of arthritis, RA typically occurs in joints on both sides of the body (such as hands, wrists or knees). But RA affects people differently. For some, it lasts only a few months or a year. For others, periods in which they feel better (called remissions) alternate with periods of worsening symptoms (called flares). Only those with a severe form of the disease experience symptoms most of the time, for years or even a lifetime.
While there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis it is possible to effectively control the disease. The current medicationsincluding methotrexate, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and anti-inflammatory agents such as steroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are highly effective and should be part of an overall treatment program. In addition, dietary changes, exercise therapy and stress reduction can be effective in controlling pain and inflammation and slowing disease progression, especially in the early phases.
Symptoms
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic (long-term) disease. Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms can come and go, and each person with RA is affected differently. Some people have long periods of remission. Their rheumatoid arthritis is inactive, and they have few or no symptoms during this time. Other people might have near-constant rheumatoid arthritis symptoms for months at a stretch.
Although rheumatoid arthritis can involve different parts the body, joints are always affected. When the disease acts up, joints become inflamed. Inflammation is the body's natural response to infection or other threats, but in rheumatoid arthritis inflammation occurs inappropriately and for unknown reasons.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms That Affect the Entire Body.
Rheumatoid arthritis can affect many areas of the body. These effects all result from the general process of inflammation, leading to a wide variety of symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis:
- Fatigue
- Malaise (feeling ill)
- Loss of appetite, which can lead to weight loss
- Muscle aches
These feelings have been compared to having the flu, although they are usually less intense and longer lasting.
Rheumatoid arthritis may affect other areas of your body. Involvement of multiple areas of the body occurs and is more common with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis.
- Rheumatoid nodules are bumps under the skin that most often appear on the elbows. Sometimes they are painful.
- Lung involvement, due to either damage to the lungs or inflammation of the lining around the lungs, is common but sometimes causes no symptoms. If shortness of breath develops, it can be treated with drugs that reduce inflammation in the lungs.
- Rheumatoid arthritis can even affect a joint in your voice box or larynx (cricoarytenoid joint), causing hoarseness.
- Rheumatoid arthritis can cause inflammation in the lining around the heart, but it usually has no symptoms. If symptoms do develop, it may cause shortness of breath or chest pain. In addition, people with rheumatoid arthritis are more likely to develop clogged arteries in their heart, which can lead to chest pain and heart attack.
- The eyes are affected in less than 5% of people with rheumatoid arthritis. When the eyes are affected, symptoms can include red, painful eyes or possibly dry eyes.
How can I know if I have Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Pain is the way your body tells you that something is wrong. Most types of arthritis cause pain in your joints. You might have trouble moving around. Some kinds of arthritis can affect different parts of your body. So, along with pain in your joints, you may:
- Have a fever
- Lose weight
- Have trouble breathing
- Get a rash or itch.
- These symptoms may also be signs of other illnesses.
Food That Cure Rheumatoid Arthritis
Cold Water Fish: A nice, juicy piece of baked halibut fillet is not only tasty, it may be one of the best foods for helping out the sore joints of rheumatoid arthritis. Populations who enjoy a good amount of fish in their diets also enjoy fairly low rates of rheumatoid arthritis. People with rheumatoid arthritis who start consuming the beneficial omega-3 fatty acids found in fish report a great improvement in their symptoms. Studies have shown that eating fish regularly can elevate the levels of the anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids in the body. Researchers recommend eating 4-6 servings of fish per week as a great way to get those good fats as well as a healthy amount of protein in your diet. Cold water fish include salmon,halibut, mackerel, tuna, herring, sardines, and cod.
Fruits and Vegetables: Steamed, baked, stir-fried, roasted, grilled, or even shish-kabob, vegetables can be a colorful and flavorful part of any healthy diet plan. Fruits make sweet desserts and between-meal snacks, or can be added to cooked meals for a delightful change of pace. Fresh fruits and vegetables contain important anti-inflammatory antioxidants like vitamin C and vitamin E, as well as fiber. The fiber found in fruits and vegetables can help to restore the balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut, thereby reducing the general inflammation in the body.
Olive Oil: In parts of the world, including Greece, Italy, Sicily, and other Mediterranean countries, the traditional cuisine is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, robust spices, and pure, extra-virgin olive oil. These areas of the world also tend to have much lower rates of rheumatoid arthritis than other areas, as much as 75% less. The fats in olive oil are used by the body to produce prostacyclin, a very powerful anti-inflammatory substance. Research studies have shown that rheumatoid arthritis patients who increase their intake of olive oil experience a dramatic reduction in symptoms.
Yogurt: Provided that no dairy allergy is suspected or confirmed, and provided that certified organic products are selected, yogurt can be a helpful addition to a rheumatoid arthritis meal plan. Be sure to look for organic yogurt that specifically says it contains live, active cultures, since some yogurts are heat-treated to kill the bacteria before being sold. A variety of soy-based yogurts are available for those who are allergic to, or choose not to consume dairy.
Fasting: Fasting refers to a time period during which no food is eaten. This naturally happens during sleeping, which is why the first meal of the day, which ends the nighttime fast, is called break fast, or breakfast. While the true definition of fasting means that only water is consumed, the term has been modified over time to apply to periods of time where only certain foods are eaten. Modified food fasts are worth consideration as a supportive step in rheumatoid arthritis, but we recommend pursuing any fast-related food modifications with the help of a licensed healthcare practitioner.
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