Rheumatoid Arthritis, or RA, is an inflammatory disease that causes painful swelling in the joints. While RA is not well understood, it’s classified as an autoimmune condition. This means the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks itself, causing signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
What is rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis causes pain and joint inflammation.
It’s not like other types of arthritis that relate to joint wear and tear or injuries. Instead, RA develops when the immune system stops working properly. Usually, immunity only defends the body from outside invaders, e.g. pathogens. But in RA, the immune system sees the body as a threat and starts to attack itself. This triggers immune reactions that impact the lining of joints, called synovium.
In healthy people, synovium produces a fluid that helps joints move smoothly. However, people with RA have inflammation in their synovium. This leads to swelling, pain, joint destruction and deformities.
Rheumatoid arthritis most commonly affects the hands, knees or ankles on both sides of the body. It can also impair the eyes, heart, lungs and circulatory system.
What are the signs and symptoms of RA?
In the beginning, symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis can be subtle. You may notice a little redness in your joints, possibly swelling or mild tenderness. These symptoms could come and go during episodes called ‘flares’. But with time, symptoms may get worse and impact your quality of life.
The signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include the following occurring in one or more joint:
- Pain
- Aching
- Stiffness
- Tenderness
- Swelling
- Redness.
These symptoms usually occur on both sides of the body, such as right and left knees.
At the same time, you may experience:
- Rheumatoid nodules (small lumps on bony areas of joints)
- Weight loss
- Fever
- Tiredness
- Fatigue
- Weakness.
Some patients also develop these signs of rheumatoid arthritis:
- Shortness of breath
- Light sensitivity
- Dry mouth
- Nerve damage
- Heart muscle damage.
Causes of rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis causes are not well understood.
It’s thought to be an autoimmune condition, where the immune system attacks itself. This creates destruction in healthy cells, which leads to RA signs and symptoms.
Researchers believe that genetic and environmental factors make some people more susceptible than others. And that a virus, bacteria, stress or poor gut health may activate these genes.
Note that there are theories suggesting rheumatoid arthritis is not an autoimmune condition. This very well may be the case. However, science is yet to prove these interesting theories.
How is RA diagnosed?
Getting a rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis is a multi-step process.
Firstly, it involves visiting a GP to discuss your concerns. They’ll take your medical history and ask all about your joint symptoms. During the same appointment, they’ll perform a physical examination of your joints and possibly order tests to investigate further.
Blood Tests
To measure inflammatory markers and proteins (antibodies) related to RA.
Imaging
An X-ray, ultrasound and MRI can reveal, in picture-form, what’s going on inside the body. Doctors will look for joint and/or bone erosions, though changes may not show in early stages.
Treatments for rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis treatment usually begins with an appointment with a Rheumatologist. This is a highly-trained doctor who specialises in treating RA.
Their goal is to:
- reduce inflammation as much as possible
- manage symptoms
- prevent joint/organ damage
- minimise long-term complications
- maintain or improve joint mobility
- improve quality of life.
This usually involves using medications and self-care measures.
Many RA patients also use allied health practitioners to bolster results.
Physiotherapy – Useful for slowing disease progression. It helps improve strength, movement and joint mobility.
Naturopathy – Diet, lifestyle and supplements help improve pain, inflammation and immune function.
Acupuncture – Triggers the release of endorphins to minimise pain and inflammation.
Ayurveda – An ancient system that aims to treat RA by regulating the 3 doshas (energies) in the body.
Conclusion
Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes painful swelling in the joints. It’s when the body’s immune system attacks healthy cells, which causes destruction in joints and bones.
Research is still trying to understand why this condition exists. Until then, treatment focuses on decreasing pain and improving quality of life. Science is hopeful that a cure may be discovered in the future.
FAQs
What are the first signs of rheumatoid arthritis?
The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis can be subtle in the early stages. You may notice any of the following in your joints, usually in both sides of the body:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Tenderness
- Stiffness
- Aching.
What triggers rheumatoid arthritis?
RA is an autoimmune condition, which means the body’s immune system attacks healthy cells. It’s unknown exactly what triggers this process.
Which conditions present similarly to rheumatoid arthritis?
- Psoriatic Arthritis
- Lyme Disease
- Sjögren’s Syndrome
- Gout
- Fibromyalgia
