Rheumatoid Arthritis Causes and Symptoms

Causes

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the joints (synovium)
• The exact cause is unknown, but genetic and environmental factors contribute to its development
• Risk factors:
  • Family history
  • Age: RA typically develops in middle age
  • Sex: Women are more likely to develop RA than men
  • Smoking
  • Obesity

Symptoms

• Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling in multiple joints (typically small joints in hands and feet)
• Morning stiffness that lasts more than 30 minutes
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Low-grade fever
• Nodules or lumps under the skin near affected joints

Diagnosis

• Physical examination to assess joint mobility and tenderness
• Laboratory tests:
  • Rheumatoid factor (RF) test
  • Anti-citrullinated protein antibody (anti-CCP) test
  • Complete blood count (CBC) to rule out other conditions
• Imaging tests:
  • X-rays to monitor joint damage
  • Ultrasound or MRI to detect inflammation

Treatment Options

• Medications:
  • Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) to slow disease progression
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce pain and inflammation
  • Corticosteroids to reduce inflammation
  • Biologics to target specific proteins involved in inflammation
• Lifestyle modifications:
  • Rest and exercise to maintain joint mobility
  • Physical therapy to improve joint function
  • Assistive devices to reduce stress on joints
• Surgery: Considered for severe cases, to repair or replace damaged joints

Lifestyle Management

• Exercise:
  • Gentle exercises to maintain joint mobility and strength
  • Avoid high-impact activities that put excessive stress on joints
• Diet:
  • Eat an anti-inflammatory diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and fiber
  • Avoid processed foods and sugar
• Stress management:
  • Practice relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises
  • Get adequate sleep to reduce fatigue
• Quitting smoking: To reduce disease severity and improve overall health

Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the joints (synovium)
• Genetic and environmental factors contribute to its development, but the exact cause is unknown
• Risk factors include:
  • Family history of RA
  • Middle age, as RA typically develops during this stage
  • Being female, as women are more likely to develop RA than men
  • Smoking, which increases the risk of RA
  • Obesity, which is a contributing factor to RA

Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling in multiple joints, especially small joints in hands and feet
• Morning stiffness that lasts more than 30 minutes
• Fatigue, loss of appetite, and weight loss
• Low-grade fever, which is a common symptom
• Nodules or lumps under the skin near affected joints can occur

Diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Physical examination to assess joint mobility and tenderness
• Laboratory tests:
  • Rheumatoid factor (RF) test to detect antibodies
  • Anti-citrullinated protein antibody (anti-CCP) test to detect specific antibodies
  • Complete blood count (CBC) to rule out other conditions
• Imaging tests:
  • X-rays to monitor joint damage and progression
  • Ultrasound or MRI to detect inflammation and joint damage

Treatment Options for Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Medications:
  • Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) to slow disease progression
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce pain and inflammation
  • Corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and swelling
  • Biologics to target specific proteins involved in inflammation
• Lifestyle modifications:
  • Rest and exercise to maintain joint mobility and strength
  • Physical therapy to improve joint function and mobility
  • Assistive devices to reduce stress on joints
• Surgery: Considered for severe cases, to repair or replace damaged joints

Lifestyle Management for Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Exercise:
  • Gentle exercises to maintain joint mobility and strength
  • Avoid high-impact activities that put excessive stress on joints
• Diet:
  • Eat an anti-inflammatory diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and fiber
  • Avoid processed foods and sugar
• Stress management:
  • Practice relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises
  • Get adequate sleep to reduce fatigue
• Quitting smoking: To reduce disease severity and improve overall health