health and fitness Post

Signs and Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Any joint pain or stiffness signals rheumatoid arthritis. The early symptoms that herald the onset of rheumatoid arthritis are stiffness in the joints of fingers and toes as well as unusual numbness or tingling sensation in the hands and fingers. Although rheumatoid arthritis is mainly related to our body joints, 40 percent of patients even experience arthritis that affects the bone marrow, kidneys, heart, lungs, eyes, skin, and nerve tissue. Causes and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis When the lining of our joints is attacked by our immune system, it causes rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis cannot be cured, but it can be controlled with treatment and exercise. Most of us do not notice, or sometimes even ignore, the early warning signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis that later escalate and become unbearable. It is necessary to identify and recognize the early symptoms to effectively control and treat rheumatoid arthritis. Although it is easy to get misled by other signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis such as fatigue, weight loss, and low-grade fever, one cannot negate other important factors such as chronic pain, swelling and redness in hand, foot, and wrist. Fatigue Fatigue of an extreme nature, leading to tiredness, the inability to work, and carry out day-to-day tasks, is the first sign and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis Weight loss Sudden unexplained weight loss coupled with fatigue or exhaustion can signal arthritis.

Treatment Options for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Managing and treating rheumatoid arthritis is difficult. A person suffering from rheumatoid arthritis undergoes joint pain in their hands, feet, knees, and shoulders on an everyday basis. Early diagnosis and treatment can help control rheumatoid arthritis to some extent. Though chronic rheumatoid arthritis is not curable, doctors can prescribe administrative medications that control or minimize further damage to the joints. Treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis Doctors may suggest a surgical intervention, therapy, and medication together, as the effective treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis. Once rheumatoid arthritis is detected, the doctor can prescribe Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) such as methotrexate, leflunomide, hydroxychloroquine, and sulfasalazine, which may gradually slow the onset of rheumatoid arthritis and also prevent other affected tissues from further damage. The main and important objective for any doctor while treating rheumatoid arthritis is to ease the stiffness around joints and prevent any damage to the nerves. The treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis are DMARDs, Corticosteroids, Biologics, Analgesics, and Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) These are entry-level or basic treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatologists start with methotrexate drug to treat joint inflammation. Methotrexate can be used in combination with other medications like hydroxychloroquine and sulfasalazine for better results.