Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune rheumatic diseases disease characterised by pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of function of the joints. Spectrum of manifestation is different in different patients. For some patients, it lasts only a few months or a year or two and goes away without causing and noticeable damage. Other people have mild or moderate forms of the disease, with periods of worsening symptoms, called flares, and period of remissions. Still other have a severe form of the disease that is active most of the time, lasts for many years or a lifetime, and leads to serious joint damage and disability. Apart from joints rheumatoid arthritis can also affect salivary and lacrimal glands, lungs and blood vessels.

Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Diagnosing and Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis can be difficult to diagnose in its early stages for several reasons. First, there is no single test that is diagnostic of the disease. In addition, symptoms differ from person to person and can be more severe in some people than in others. Also, symptoms can be similar to those of other types of arthritis and joint conditions, and it may take some time for other conditions to be rules out. As a result, doctors use a variety of the following tools to diagnose the disease and to rule out other conditions:

Treatment
Various medications are available for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. These are used in different combinations and at different times during the course of the disease and are chosen according to the individual patient’s disease severity. No matter what treatment chosen, however, the goals are the same : to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, slow down or stop joint damage and improve the person’s sense of well-being and ability to function.

Treatment Approaches
Lifestyle – Certain activities can help improve a person’s ability to function independently and maintain a positive outlook.

Medication – Medications used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis are called disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). This medicine reduces pain, inflammation and slow the course of the disease. The person’s general condition, the current and predicted severity of the illness, the length of time he or she will take the drug and the drug’s effectiveness and potential side effects are all important considerations in prescribing drugs for rheumatoid arthritis. Biologic response modifiers are the newer drugs used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Surgery - Several types of surgical treatments are available to patients with severe joint damage. The primary purpose of these procedures is to reduce pain, improve the affected joint’s function and to improve the patient’s ability to perform daily activities. Surgery is not for everyone, however, and the decision should be made only after careful consideration by patient and doctor. Surgical procedures include joint replacement, tendon reconstruction and synovectomy. Surgical procedures include joint replacement, tendon reconstruction and synovectomy

Routine monitoring and ongoing care – Regular medical care is important to monitor the course of the disease, determine the effectiveness and any negative effects of medications and change therapies as needed. Monitoring typically includes regular visits to the doctor. It may also include blood, urine and other laboratory tests and x-rays. People with rheumatoid arthritis may want to discuss preventing osteoporosis with their doctor as part of their long-term, ongoing care. Having rheumatoid arthritis is associated with increases the risk of developing osteoporosis for both men and women.

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