What is rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful and debilitating condition that chiefly affects the joints. It’s a type of autoimmune disorder in which your immune system attacks the joint linings as if they were a threat.
It’s not known why some people’s immune systems develop this dysfunction, although it’s probable that there’s a genetic link.
If you have rheumatoid arthritis, you develop painful, swollen joints because of the inflammation in the joint linings.
Over time, the deterioration of the joint lining leads to erosion of the ends of the bones in your joints, which causes the tendons and ligaments holding the joint together to weaken and start stretching. As a result, people who have rheumatoid arthritis develop severely twisted joints.
What are the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis?
The most obvious symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are similar to the symptoms of other forms of arthritis, namely:
- Tender, swollen joints
- Heat in the joints
- Stiffness in the joints, worsening with inactivity
As well as these typical symptoms of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis can make you feel fatigued and feverish, and you may experience inflammation in other tissues as well. You may also develop:
- Osteoporosis
- Rheumatoid nodules
- Sjogren's syndrome (dry eyes and mouth)
- Infections
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Cardiac problems
- Lung disease
- Lymphoma (blood cancer)
If treatment for rheumatoid arthritis begins in good time, the prognosis is far more favorable than if you leave it until the disease is well advanced, so if you have any symptoms of arthritis, visit Synergy Integrative Medical Clinic as soon as possible.
What treatments are available for rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis isn’t curable at the moment, but the sooner you start on a course of treatment, the more positive the outlook. Treatment options at Synergy Integrative Medical Clinic include:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Prescription painkillers
- Corticosteroid medications
- Physical therapy
- Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy
- Stem cell therapy
Dr. Rastogi combines the treatments most likely to help each individual and monitors your progress so she can adjust your treatment plan. She also recommends complementary therapies, so you may, for example, find acupuncture or relaxation and guided imagery helps you cope with your condition more effectively.
If you’re concerned about having symptoms that could be due to rheumatoid or any other form of arthritis, call Synergy Integrative Medical Clinic today, or book an appointment online.
