Detecting rheumatoid arthritis early crucial: Experts

On World Arthritis Day, rheumatologists have blamed lack of awareness for the surge in cases of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The chronic disease, which begins as a normal pain in smaller joints, gradually affects the rest of the body, if not treated early.

Informs Dr Sunitha Kayidhi, consultant Rheumatology, CARE Hospitals, Hi Tech City. “Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, autoimmune disease in which the body's immune starts attacking the body itself by attacking healthy joints causing inflammation of the tissue that protects them. That results in swelling, pain as well as discomfort.”

If there is pain and inflammation in small joints is persisting for a few weeks and if it is associated with morning stiffness lasting over 30 minutes to one hour, there is a high probability that the patient is harbouring rheumatoid arthritis.

“If not diagnosed in time, deformities like crooked fingers, weakening of muscles of hands, which causes inability to pick and grasp things, weakening of joints like elbows and shoulders makes lifting difficult for the affected and the person can be bed-bound if the lower extremities are affected,” Informs Dr Rajeshwer Reddy, consultant Rheumatology, Kamineni Hospitals. RA is not just an illness of the joints; it can affect other organs of the body including lungs and blood vessels.

Though rheumatoid arthritis is not curable but it can be effectively controlled and managed like we do with any other chronic disease, diabetes for instance. Experts say it is advisable to not resort to pain killers for relief. There are specific medicines to manage rheumatoid arthritis. But if this disease is left to worsen for long, treatment gets increasingly difficult, so catching this disease young is the right way to avert this situation.

Mutated genes may make you more susceptible to the disease. You can be more prone to rheumatoid arthritis if you are a woman. Family history, cold temperatures, humidity, or certain foods such as meat, foods containing saturated fat etc. can all trigger the disease.

Experts say there is no cure for RA but medication can reduce joint inflammation, relieve pain and slow or prevent the joint damage. Occupational and physical therapy can help protect joints from further damage. Certain exercises can keep your joints flexible.