A normal joint is covered with cartilage allowing the end of each bone to move alongside each other with little or no friction. A normal joint also has a membrane surrounding it called the synovium, which produces a thick fluid (synovial fluid) to act as lubrication.
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease in which the joints in the body become inflamed and is classed as an autoimmune disease as the immune cells in the body attack the affected joint. The disease can progress very rapidly (the speed of progression varies widely between individuals), causing swelling and damaging cartilage and bone around the joints (Huber 2000). Any joint may be affected but it is commonly the hands, feet and wrists.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis affects different people in different ways. Most people with rheumatoid arthritis have some damage in a number of joints and a few, about 1 in 20 (5%) of those with rheumatoid arthritis, have quite severe damage in a lot of joints (NRAS). To diagnose rheumatoid arthritis there needs to be swelling and stiffness in a least two joints, fatigue, weight loss and positive results of a blood test known as ESR. Patients may also, in very rare cases, experience inflammation of the body organs such as the eyes and mouth, the lining of the heart and the lining of the lungs.
What is the Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis?
The joints become damaged by the inflammation occurring in them and this is why treatment concentrates on reducing the inflammation and discomfort rather than trying to eliminate the disease.
- A range of anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids are used to diminish swelling in the joints.
- Each patient will have a full consultation process with his/her physiotherapist to ensure the exercises are tailor made for them, for example, knee lifts from a sitting position.
- There are also ice and heat therapies (to reduce pain and inflammation) available at pain management clinics.
- In some instances surgical intervention is required to correct structural changes that have occurred in the joint (NRAS).
Who is at Risk of Developing Rheumatoid Arthritis?
- Cigarette smoking is thought to be an important precipitating factor.
- It affects approximately 3 times more women than men and onset is generally between 40 - 60 years of age.
- Rheumatoid arthritis does carry some hereditary traits but its cause is not fully understood.
Preventative techniques such as good posture and healthy diet are the most effective ways of combating the disease (NRAS) and these are the most effective ways for patients to be pain free and independent.
Sources:
- Huber, (2000). Leadership and Nursing Care Management. 2nd Edition. Pennsylvania: W.B. Saunders Company.
- National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society. Information retrieved 18th January 2011.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Linda Smallwood - Hi my name is Linda Smallwood. I am married with two sons aged 13 and 11 and live in North Wales. After 18 years working for The ...
