Did you know? When the disease acts up, joints become inflamed. Inflammation is the bodys natural response to infection or other threats, but in rheumatoid arthritis inflammation occurs inappropriately and for unknown reasons. Joint inflammation is a hallmark of rheumatoid arthritis. That includes: Stiffness. The joint is harder to use and might have a limited range of motion. Morning stiffness is one of the hallmark symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. While many people with other forms of arthritis have stiff joints in the morning, it takes people with rheumatoid arthritis more than an hour (sometimes several hours) before their joints feel loose. Swelling. Fluid enters into the joint and it becomes puffy; this also contributes to stiffness. Pain . Inflammation inside a joint makes it sensitive and tender. Prolonged inflammation causes damage that also contributes to pain. Redness and warmth. The joints may be somewhat warmer and more pink or red than neighboring skin. Which joints does RA affect? The hands are almost always affected, although literally any joint can be affected with rheumatoid arthritis symptoms: knees, wrists, neck, shoulders, elbows, feet, hips, even the jaw. Joints are usually affected in a symmetrical pattern -- the same joints on both sides of the body. Rheumatoid arthritis can even affect a joint in your voice box or larynx (cricoarytenoid joint), causing hoarseness. Rheumatoid arthritis can cause inflammation in the lining around the heart, but it usually has no symptoms. If symptoms do develop, it may cause shortness of breath or chest pain. In addition, people with rheumatoid arthritis are more likely to develop clogged arteries in their heart, which can lead to chest pain and heart attack. The eyes are affected in less than 5% of people with rheumatoid arthritis. When the eyes are affected, symptoms can include red, painful eyes or possibly dry eyes. Exercise can be a key component in keeping joint pain at bay. It can also give you more energy and improve your mood. Walking, cycling, swimming, and light weight training done three times a week for 30 minutes can offer these benefits, but check with your doctor to make sure they are safe for you. Other tips: Don’t exercise when joints are inflamed; take a break if you feel pain; and alternate positions periodically when performing tasks such as gardening or cooking. Getting enough rest is important. Taking a break can relax your mind, ease pain in your joints, and help reduce the fatigue that is often associated with the disease. So how much do you need? “Rest is personal—it depends on a person’s endurance. Moist heat in particular seems to penetrate well and provides relief from rheumatoid arthritis pain, according to Reininger. She recommends taking a warm bath or shower or soaking sore hands in warm water. Additionally, moist heating pads, available at most pharmacies, can be applied for 10 to 15 minutes at a time to provide temporary pain relief. Try hot wax If you have pain in the joints of the hands or feet, a hot wax bath can ease inflammation. (This is a classic technique used for sports-related injuries.) Try a cane A lot of people think a cane signifies disability, but if it helps reduce joint pain, who cares? Canes are easy to find and use and can take up to 20% of your body weight off of your legs, hips, and ankles. ---------------------- There are three types of RA. It’s important to know what type you have to get an accurate assessment of development. Monocylic: symptoms last for two to five years, and then go away permanently Polycyclic: symptoms never go away once they have begun, but sometimes become less problematic Progressive: symptoms regularly increase and movement is increasingly difficult. For people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), back pain is often an uncomfortable reality. Back pain can result from the body’s immune system attack on the small joints of the spine. In advanced cases, this can even lead to compression of the spinal cord and nerve roots. When nerves are compressed, sufferers can experience moderate-to-severe pain. Before looking at treatments for your back pain, you’ll need to know if you’re suffering from acute or chronic back pain. Acute back pain is usually a result of straining the back. It can be treated with medication and usually will get better over time. Exercise isnt recommended. Chronic back pain is different. It’s a long-term problem caused by conditions like RA. It can be treated in a number of ways, and exercise can be beneficial. Hot and cold packs can’t treat the underlying causes of back pain, but they can help to reduce the pain and stiffness a sufferer feels during a flare-up. A heat pack can help to improve blood flow and reduce muscle spasms. It can also help make the pain more manageable. A cold pack can be particularly helpful to reduce RA inflammation. Cold packs may feel uncomfortable at first, but they can help numb pain. There is also a variety of medications that can alleviate pain and slow the progression of RA. Resource: WebMD Health Health line
Posted on: Mon, 13 Oct 2014 12:30:16 +0000
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