Rheumatoid arthritis makes life miserable: Expert

• Says rheumatoid patients will suffer from fever, loss of appetite and losing weight while some others develop cysts under skin
• Suggest patients to take calcium, protein and vitamin D-enriched foods and low fat food

Vijayawada: Noted rheumatologist Dr N Kavya Devi on Saturday said that rheumatoid arthritis makes life miserable among people. 

Addressing the health education programme held at Vasavya Nursing Home with Dr G Samaram in the chair, she said that some acquire rheumatoid arthritis from their parents while some others were afflicted due to environmental pollution, viral infection and due to some diseases that occur in intestine and even due to smoking.

People who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis experience pain early in the morning while some others wake up in the middle of night due to the pain, she said and added that it would be difficult for them to even walk.

Some of the rheumatoid patients will suffer from fever, loss of appetite and losing weight while some others develop cysts under skin, she said.

Rheumatoid arthritis would result in drop of white cells and platelets in blood, and enlargement of spleen and become anaemic, she said.

Some would have inflammation on lungs and wind pipe also, she said and added that the fingers of patients would become stiff and twisted. “The problem could be easily identified with these symptoms,” she added.

RA Factor and anti-CCP blood tests, x-ray and MRI tests need to be conducted to diagnose the disease, she said adding that if pain was not severe, pain killers were sufficient. 

“Steroids might be necessary in case of severe pains and the damaged joints,” she said.

The rheumatoid patients need to take calcium, protein and vitamin D-enriched foods at the same time take food with low fats, she said. 
Eggs, milk, fish, Ragi and other cereals would help to manage the disease, Dr Kavya said. They should completely avoid smoking and alcohol, she said adding that they should undertake physical exercise regularly.

Dr Olos and psychologist Lalita Chandri were also present and Dr Maru proposed a vote of thanks.