Todo lo que debe saber sobre la artritis

Arthritis is a disease that involves the swelling of the joints, generating pain in the person suffering from it. In cases where the inflammation is very high, other symptoms may appear such as fever, loss of appetite or fatigue.

The most common manifestation of chronic arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis, being more frequent in women than in men. In addition, as the age is more advanced, the number of people affected increases, being more frequent between the forties and the sixties, as well as in the urban environment, unlike the rural one.

Causes of rheumatoid arthritis

Currently, the origin of rheumatoid arthritis is not known, although it is encompassed in the group of arthritis caused in an autoimmune way: the patient's immune system attacks the joints, especially the synovial membrane (tissue that surrounds the joint).

There are many factors that can influence the birth of arthritis: genetic, hormonal, environmental, etc. 

• Genetic factors : if the factor is genetic, it may favor that the disease is passed on to relatives, although its inheritance is not assured. 
• Hormonal factors may favor that the disease is more frequent in women 
• Environmental factors. Tobacco is one of the most prominent causes, since it has been shown that smokers are more at risk of contracting arthritis than non-smokers. Also, the infectious factors may have something to do with it, but there is still no evidence that they are a direct cause.

Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis

The main symptoms are: 

• Pain and inflammation of the joints. 
• Joint stiffness or numbness after prolonged rest, such as when getting out of bed in the morning. These damages can decrease the mobility and function of the joint, causing difficulties for the patient to move and do their daily activities. 

Rheumatoid arthritis can also produce symptoms outside of the joints: 

• Fatigue. 
• Lack of appetite. 
• Weightloss. 
• Fever. 
• Rheumatoid nodules: lumps under the skin in areas near the joints. In addition, chronic inflammation can affect other organs such as the heart, lung or kidney.

Diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis

First, the patient must go to the doctor's office and a meticulous clinical history describing the symptoms, in addition to a physical examination, will be performed.. Also, a complete analysis of the patient and radiographs of the affected joints will be performed. In this way, the specialist in Rheumatology will correctly diagnose the disease and other possible pathologies will be ruled out.

Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

This pathology is not irreversible, but currently there are very good treatments against it. There are five groups of medications with different characteristics and functions that can be very effective in the treatment of arthritis: 

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories: relieve swelling and pain in the joints. 
• Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs: they reduce symptoms and slow down the growth of the disease. 
• Glucocorticoids: are usually used at the beginning of treatment, although many patients require a light dose in order to control the symptoms. 
• Biological drugs: block the action of substances that destroy the joints. The drawback is that they require a high outlay. 
• Miscellany group: they improve the symptoms that accompany the joint symptoms. 

Advice for a patient with rheumatoid arthritis

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis should try to have the best health conditions they can.

They have to rest a lot and better in order to reduce the fatigue of the disease, and rest the swollen joints.

They should also play sports to improve the limitation of movements caused by arthritis. Aquatic exercises are a good option since the tension exerted on the joints is less than the exercise practiced on land, especially when the joints that support the weight of the body are damaged.

As for food , they should follow a varied and balanced diet. It is important the consumption of milk and dairy products for their contribution of calcium.

The consumption of snuff in people with rheumatoid arthritis, in addition to increasing the risk of damaging the arteries of the body, favors the disease is more serious and difficult to treat.

The work activity must adapt to the limitations that condition the disease, so it is very important good advice on rights and options to adapt the workplace to the particular needs of each patient.

Pregnancy and rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis frequently affects women of reproductive age, so that pregnancy becomes common in this type of patients. With adequate medical and obstetric care, most of these people can have a successful pregnancy, which does not mean that it is free of possible complications, so the possible risks to the mother and to the fetus must be previously discussed between the doctor and the patient.

The best time for a woman with arthritis to become pregnant is when the disease is in a period of less activity. The medication should be adapted depending on the pregnancy since there are some contraindicated, and have a constant medical control for what might happen.