A chronic inflammatory disorder, rheumatoid arthritis affects the lining of the membrane surrounding the joints in feet and hands, causing inflammation that thickens the lining and may lead to bone erosion and joint deformity and destroy the cartilage. The tendons and ligaments holding the joint weaken and stretch. Being an autoimmune disorder, rheumatoid arthritis causes immense pain in the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis causes joint problems and may also affect other lungs, eyes, skin and blood vessels.
A chronic inflammatory disorder, rheumatoid arthritis affects the lining of the membrane surrounding the joints in feet and hands, causing inflammation that thickens the lining and may lead to bone erosion and joint deformity and destroy the cartilage. The tendons and ligaments holding the joint weaken and stretch. Being an autoimmune disorder, rheumatoid arthritis causes immense pain in the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis causes joint problems and may also affect other lungs, eyes, skin and blood vessels.
Causes & Symptoms
A progressive, disabling disorder, rheumatoid arthritis is caused when the immune system mistakenly starts attacking its own tissues. What causes the immune system to reach this way is still not clear, experts are of the opinion that this may be due to genetic causes.
Some of the common symptoms of the disease include:
- Morning stiffness lasting for hours
- Firm bumps of tissue under the skin
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Fever
- Warm, tender, swollen joints
- Extreme pain in the joints, causing loss of mobility
Treatment
The National Health Service statistics reveal that at least 350,000 people in the UK are affected by rheumatoid arthritis, with the disorder affecting 0.8% of the British population. Treatment usually starts with drugs and steroid, which only help reduce the symptoms of the disease. A combination of medication therapy and dietary supplements can help increase anti-inflammatory hormones in the body, allowing it to start repairing itself. Omega 3 essential fatty acids aid production of anti-inflammatory hormone and reduce joint tenderness and inflammation.
