What Side Effects Can Occur In The Treatment Of Post
Any medical or surgical treatment can have side effects or risks. NSAIDs can cause stomach irritation, kidney, liver, or other problems. Cortisone can cause elevation of heart rate and blood sugar and should not be given too often. Surgical treatments have risks of infection, damage to surrounding structures, and wearing out or loosening of implants. Also, there is a risk of medical complications such as blood clots, heart attack, stroke, infection, and other problems. Fortunately, all these problems are quite infrequent. Most surgery is very successful in improving pain and function.
After surgery, you can expect some discomfort. You may need to use a sling, crutches, a cane, or a walker temporarily. You can expect your pain relief and function to gradually improve over months after surgery.
When To Seek Treatment
The following are general guidelines of when to seek treatment for your RA progression:
When you first suspect symptoms Regularly during the first few years of diagnosis If you suspect you are experiencing progressive rheumatoid arthritis If you feel your condition is worsening in any way or new symptoms appear
What Is A Joint And How Does It Work
A joint is where two or more bones meet, such as in the fingers, knees, and shoulders. Joints hold bones in place and allow them to move freely within limits.
Most of the joints in our body are surrounded by a strong capsule. The capsule is filled with a thick fluid that helps to lubricate the joint. These capsules hold our bones in place. They do this with the help of ligaments. These are a bit like very strong elastic bands.
The ends of the bones within a joint are lined with cartilage. This is a smooth but tough layer of tissue that allows bones to glide over one another as you move.
If we want to move a bone, our brain gives a signal to the muscle, which then pulls a tendon, and this is attached to the bone. Muscles therefore have an important role in supporting a joint.
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Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Groups And Counseling
Living with the effects of rheumatoid arthritis can be difficult. Sometimes people can feel frustrated, perhaps even angry or resentful. Sometimes it helps to have someone to talk to.
This is the purpose of support groups. Support groups consist of people in the same situation. They come together to help each other and to help themselves. Support groups provide reassurance, motivation, and inspiration. They can help people see that their situation is not unique, and that gives them power. They also provide practical tips on coping with the disease.
Support groups meet in person, on the telephone, or on the Internet. Ask a health-care professional or contact the following organizations or look on the Internet to find a suitable support group. If someone does not have access to the Internet, go to the public library.
- Arthritis Foundation
How Rheumatoid Arthritis Threatens Bone Health
RA can increase your risk of osteoporosis, a disease in which bones become less dense and more fragile, increasing the likelihood they will break.
The reason: The inflammation of RA accelerates the normal bone resorption when bone tissue is broken down to release minerals into the blood that leads to osteoporosis. Normally, the bone tissue thats broken down gets replaced, but as we age, the rate of resorption exceeds the rate of new bone growth, reducing bone mass and setting the stage for osteoporosis. RA makes it even harder for bones to keep pace. The hip, forearm and pelvis are typical sites where breaks can occur, although breaks are more likely near the joints where the RA is active.
Steroids, which are sometimes used to control RA, can especially speed bone loss.
The best way to protect bones: Eat calcium-rich and vitamin Drich foods like eggs and fish, as well as D-fortified foods do weight-bearing exercises that your doctor approves if you smoke, quit and get a bone mineral density test so your doctor can consider whether you need medication.
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What Is A Rheumatologist
Rheumatologists are expert physicians who specialize in diagnosing and treating inflammatory arthritis and autoimmune diseases where joints can be involved. They also care for people with other diseases of the connective tissue and those with osteoporosis. As needed, the rheumatologist coordinates the care his or her patients receive from surgeons and other specialists, as well as from other health care professionals.
In many, but not all cases, people become aware that they have inflammatory arthritis when they develop symptoms of inflammation in one or more joints. On a simple level, joints are where two bones are attached. A joint can be fibrous and a simple connection without movement, such as joints in the pelvis. However, most joints are “ball and socket joints”, which are covered with a smooth layer of specialized tissue called cartilage – allowing for a gliding motion examples are the knees, elbows, shoulders, hips or elbows. Other structures that attach the bones to each other and to muscles include the tendons, tissue that attaches muscles to bones and the ligaments, tissues that attach bone to bone. These can also be targets of inflammation in inflammatory arthritis. Furthermore, the joints are held together by a capsule, a kind of protective container that is lined with a membrane called the synovium. In inflammatory arthritis inflammation of the synovium is what usually causes pain, stiffness and swelling. This is called “synovitis”.
Key Points About Septic Arthritis
- Different types of bacteria, viruses, and fungi can infect a joint.
- Symptoms include fever, joint pain, swelling, redness, and warmth.
- Quick treatment with antibiotics is needed to halt the risk of joint damage.
- Other treatments include medicines for pain and fever, drainage of the joint, physical therapy, and a splint.
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How Does Rheumatoid Arthritis Affect The Entire Body
Like many autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis typically waxes and wanes. Most people with rheumatoid arthritis experience periods when their symptoms worsen separated by periods in which the symptoms improve. With successful treatment, symptoms may even go away completely .
Although rheumatoid arthritis can have many different symptoms, joints are always affected. Rheumatoid arthritis almost always affects the joints of the hands , wrists, elbows, knees, ankles, and/or feet. The larger joints, such as the shoulders, hips, and jaw, may be affected. The vertebrae of the neck are sometimes involved in people who have had the disease for many years. Usually at least two or three different joints are involved on both sides of the body, often in a symmetrical pattern. The usual joint symptoms include the following:
These symptoms may keep someone from being able to carry out normal activities. General symptoms include the following:
- Malaise
Types Of Inflammatory Arthritis
In order to make an accurate diagnosis, rheumatologists rely on a persons history of his or her joint and other symptoms, a physical examination, blood tests and, where needed, imaging techniques. Imaging can include X-Rays, ultrasounds of joints or MRI exams if a better understanding of a patients disease is required. If damage is already seen in the joints, this indicates that the type of inflammatory arthritis that is present may be more aggressive with a higher risk for more damage. There are many types of inflammatory arthritis. However, the following conditions are the most common:
: the most common form of inflammatory arthritis, tends to involve the small joints in the hands and feet and most often more than one joint is affected. The focus of inflammation is in the synovium , which can become swollen, warm, painful, and stiff, and eventually becomes damaged when inflammation is prolonged. In 30-60% of patients with RA, blood tests such as rheumatoid factor or anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies are positive, helping to confirm the diagnosis. RA can be a very destructive and disfiguring form of arthritis. It is important to control the inflammation in the synovium to stop joint destruction. In RA, other organs and systems in the body may also be affected, including the heart, lungs and eyes.
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Common Types Of Arthritis
Commonly associated with older age, arthritis affects more than 50 million Americans, including more than 300,000 children each year. There are over 100 different forms of arthritis. Depending on the type, it can be extremely painful and affect everyday activities or go relatively unnoticed and be easily managed for years.
Simply put, arthritis is the inflammation of one or more joints. Most individuals experience common symptoms like joint pain, swelling, stiffness and/or decreased range of motion.
Here are 5 of the most common types of arthritis:
How Rheumatoid Arthritis Can Hurt Your Heart
Higher levels of inflammation in people with rheumatoid arthritis increase the risk of heart disease, especially heart attacks and strokes, Greer says.
These heart conditions can also be more fatal. In people with systemic inflammatory diseases like RA, heart attacks in those under 50 are twice as likely to be fatal as for people without an inflammatory condition, according to a study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology in March 2021.
To lower your risk, youll want to get your RA under control and also reduce heart risk factors, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. A healthy diet like the Mediterranean diet will lower your risk of heart disease.
Another way to both assist your heart and improve your RA: Dont smoke and if you do smoke, quit as soon as possible in addition, avoid exposure to secondhand smoke.
Finally, know that certain RA medications themselves have been linked to heart problems these side effects are rare, and are not a reason to skip drug treatment. The negative effects of not treating RA with medication are much, much worse than the side effects of RA drugs, cautions Greer.
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Tips To Reduce Your Risk Of Infection
- Try to avoid close contact with people you know have an infection.
- Wash your hands regularly and carry around a small bottle of antibacterial hand gel.
- Keep your mouth clean by brushing your teeth regularly.
- Stop smoking if youre a smoker.
- Make sure your food is stored and prepared properly.
- Try to keep your house clean and hygienic, especially the kitchen, bathrooms and toilets.
If you are prescribed a drug you may find more information about it here.
What Are Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatments
Despite significant advances in treatment over the past decades, rheumatoid arthritis continues to be an incurable disease. While there is no cure, the goal of disease remission is frequently attainable. Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis has two major components:
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What Challenges Does Arthritis Pose
People with arthritis experience some changes and challenges that are different from those of people with other diseases. For example:
- arthritis is usually long-lasting
- the course is often unpredictable
- pain depression and excess stress may result
- activities can be limited
- the ability to express and enjoy sexuality may be affected
Adjusting to the changes experienced with arthritis takes time. However there are things you can do to better cope with the situation. With work and understanding you can learn to deal with the effects of arthritis.
Ra Diet And Other Therapy
There is little scientific research on the role of herbs, natural products, and nutritional supplements in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. High-dose fish oil has been shown in small studies to reduce rheumatoid arthritis disease activity, and in some cases, fish oil supplementation may allow patients to discontinue NSAIDs. People with rheumatoid arthritis are using turmeric with varying degrees of success in reducing inflammation.
Other dietary changes that some people with rheumatoid arthritis can find helpful including increasing hydration for the dry mouth of Sjögren’s syndrome, increasing fish intake for fish oil supplementation to reduce inflammation, and taking anti-inflammatory medications with food to avoid stomach irritation . As described above, some research has suggested that a fish-grain diet can decrease the chances of developing rheumatoid arthritis while a Western high-fat diet might increase the chances of developing rheumatoid arthritis. There are currently no particular foods that are universally recommended that people with rheumatoid arthritis avoid, but dietary discretion is individualized based on patients’ own experiences.
A variety of complementary approaches may be effective in relieving pain. These include acupuncture and massage.
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Symptoms Of Progressive Rheumatoid Arthritis
Here are some general warning signs and symptoms that you may have developed progressive rheumatoid arthritis:
The active state of the disease is becoming more frequent Flare-ups are occurring regularly and lasting for longer periods of time Your pain and swelling are becoming more intense, spreading throughout other areas of your body Your diagnosis occurred early on, and so the disease has had a long time to develop You are beginning to develop rheumatoid nodules that you didnt have before Your blood tests show high levels of Rheumatoid Factor or anti-CCP
If you suspect that your rheumatoid arthritis has become progressive, consult your rheumatologist to determine the changes in your condition and discuss potential adjustments to your treatment plan.
Does Osteoarthritis Spread Throughout Body
There are several forms of joint disease or familiar called as arthritis. One of them is osteoarthritis . It occurs when cartilage deteriorates. The poor function of this cartilage can narrow the space between bone ends. This can cause joint pain, swelling, or damage over time. Does this kind of arthritis spread throughout the body?
How do the symptoms of osteoarthritis develop?
Each case of OA can be unique, since the disease affects different individuals differently. Joint pain and stiffness are the common symptoms of the disease .
Like most things in arthritis, the symptoms of OA affect joint. Typically they affect the bone ends of knees , lower back, hips, neck, thumbs, and fingers.
OA is not related to the abnormality of immune system such as in RA . Instead, it is related to wear and tear of a tough tissue called cartilage, as noted before. Cartilage is so important for your joints since it acts as a pressure /stress absorber so thus joint can move with almost no friction.
The function of cartilage can break down and wear away over time. Thats why age is the most significant risk factor of OA. As you age, your risk of developing OA increases.
In most cases, OA develops gradually. It can take many years before eventually the symptoms appear. However, in a few cases, it may occur quickly. For instance, if you are an athlete, there is a greater chance for you to get an accident from your sport activity that can damage your cartilage suddenly.
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Explain The Pain Is It Osteoarthritis Or Rheumatoid Arthritis
If opening jars becomes more difficult because of painful hands, or if climbing stairs produces pain in your knees, “arthritis” is often the first thing that comes to mind. The two most common forms of arthritisosteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritiscan cause similar aches and pains, but there are a few key differences between them. For example:
Onset. Osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage wears away. Pain occurs when bone rubs against bone. This type of arthritis pain tends to develop gradually and intermittently over several months or years.
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis affecting 27 million Americans. Many people believe it’s a crippling and inevitable part of growing old. But things are changing. Treatments are better, and plenty of people age well without much arthritis. If you have osteoarthritis, you can take steps to protect your joints, reduce discomfort, and improve mobility all of which are detailed in this report. If you don’t have osteoarthritis, the report offers strategies for preventing it.
Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, is an inflammatory condition in which your immune system attacks the tissues in your joints. It causes pain and stiffness that worsen over several weeks or a few months. And joint pain isn’t always the first sign of rheumatoid arthritissometimes it begins with “flu-like” symptoms of fatigue, fever, weakness, and minor joint aches.
Treat The Inflammation/pain Prior To Migration
Through medications, you may be able to reduce and treat the pain and inflammation that you are experiencing. The earlier you treat this pain, the less likely it is to migrate. If you are taking medication for your arthritis, you may find it useful to use a medication tracking tool like the on in our My Arthritis app.
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Questions And Information For Your Rheumatologist
Whether you are planning an initial visit to a rheumatologist for an evaluation or are going to see your long-established healthcare provider, to make the most of a visit to the doctors office, consider the following:
- Bring in a full list of the medications you are taking as well as any vitamins or supplements .
- If you are already taking medication, prepare notes about any reactions or side effects that you feel may be related to the drugs that you are taking.
- Be ready to report any physical or emotional changes that you are experiencing, whether or not they are strictly related to your inflammatory arthritis, and
- Bring in reports or copies of any blood tests or imaging tests (X-rays, ultrasounds, MRIs of joints that were done to better understand your arthritis.
- Bring a list of any questions you have about any aspect of your care.
- If it is your first visit, be ready to provide a list of all health conditions, prior surgeries and any allergies.
Some people also find it helpful to bring a loved one, friend or caregiver along on a doctors appointment, in order to have a second “set of ears” for any new information or instructions given. On occasion, close family members cannot fully understand the impact inflammatory arthritis has and it may be helpful for them to join you on a visit to your rheumatologist.