Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammation of the synovial lining or membrane surrounding several of
the body’s, joints, bursae or tendon sheathes. RA is not the result of any sepsis nor is it a reaction to the
deposit of uric acid crystals. This form of arthritis affects 1 out of 100 Canadians.
Causes
The cause of RA is not a single factor. In fact, current research has yet to clarify a specific reason for the
disease. A number of things seem to contribute to the possibility of an individual getting RA. For example, female
sex hormones play a role. Women who are premenopausal are more likely to be affected by RA than men are. However,
after menopause, RA incidents are equally distributed among men and women alike. Other contributors to an increased
chance of getting RA are genes and the presence of the proteins, human leukocyte antigens (HLA), in the blood.
Joints Affected
These are the joints that comprise the articulation points of the shoulder, elbow, hand, wrist, knees, neck and
jaw.
Distinct Features
RA exhibits several distinguishing features. These include
Symmetrical involvement of various peripheral joints
The presence of the rheumatoid factor in the blood
Bony erosions exist around the affected joints
Possible presence of hard nodules with a decaying centre, beneath the skin on the pressure areas
Symptoms
The most obvious indication of a form of arthritis is pain and stiffness affecting the joints of the affected
areas. The joint may feel warm when you touch it. There is also possible visible swelling of the joints and
surrounding areas. The soreness and joint pain are usually worse in the mornings. The doctor may notice the
presence of nodules. You may feel a general disquiet. You may also notice the weakening of your muscles.
The doctor should be able to discover less overt symptoms. These may be the presence of the rheumatoid factor
(RF) and the antigen HLA-DR4 in the blood. He will also note any signs of anaemia (common to RA sufferers). MRI,
ultrasound and X-ray technologies will also provide a closer look at the joints and affected parts.
Treatment
The best form of treatment is preventative. It is essential for the health of your entire body to make sure you
take care of your joints. If, however, you do get RA, there are several different approaches possible. You can
treat the medical problem with physical, pharmacological and/or surgical solutions. The path you adopt will depend
upon the extent of the disease, the body part affected, its severity, your doctor and your preference.
Physical – Never ignore the power of physical activity. As painful as it may be to move your limbs, you
need to do so. Keeping them mobile will actually reduce the pain while restoring mobility. Remember not to
overdo since joints require rest as well as activity.
Be sure to wear the appropriate footwear, particularly if RA has affected your feet. Also, take care to provide
adequate support to the joints when necessary. Use a cane or walker when necessary.
Pharmacological – Pharmaceuticals can supply fast relief for some sufferers of RA. Non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can reduce inflammation and pain. Common types are ibuprofen, naproxen and
diclofenac. Steroid drugs also have a role. The doctor may prescribe oral corticosteroids or give you an
injection.
A longer-term option comes in the form of disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). These act to reduce
the rate of damage occurring within the body while easing the pain by targeting the inflammation. Among the
most common are methotrexate (MTA), sulfasalazine, cyclosporine and myochrisine (Gold therapy). If the person
has RA blood factors TNF and Interleukin-1, the doctor may turn to biological response modifiers.
Surgical – If medical treatments fail to obtain relief, the physician may decide surgery is the only
option. This can take 3 possible forms: removal of the inflamed synovium, repair of the damaged tissue or
repair of the injured joints.
No matter what option you and your medical professionals decide upon, all carry a certain amount of risk.
Medications do have side effects. Be sure you understand the pros and cons of implementing your treatment before
you do so. Do your research and be informed before you talk to the doctor.
Conclusion
RA is a crippling disease affecting many in Canada and around the world. It restricts the quality of life,
removing the chance to be active on a daily basis. A disease of the joints, RA is a painful and progressive problem
for many. While no specific cause is known at this time, there are a variety of treatments that help reduce the
joint pain and increase the ability to enjoy life.