Rheumatoid arthritis (rheumatism): symptoms, causes & treatment

Definition

What is rheumatism or rheumatoid arthritis (RA)?

Rheumatoid arthritis is the medical term for rheumatic disease. The definition of rheumatoid arthritis or rheumatism is inflammation of the joints (arthritis) due to an autoimmune disorder or the immune system that attacks your own body tissues.

Unlike osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis is a condition that affects the lining of the joint (synovium). This condition can cause chronic pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints, which can lead to bone erosion and joint deformities.

Rheumatic disease most commonly affects the joints of the hands, wrists, feet and knees. In rare cases, this disease can affect other parts of the body, such as the lungs, eyes, heart, blood vessels, skin and nerves.

Rheumatism can affect the sufferer's ability to carry out daily activities such as writing, opening bottles, wearing clothes, and carrying things. Inflammation of the joints that affect the hips, knees, or feet can make it difficult for you to walk, bend over, or stand.

How common is this condition?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that is often experienced by the elderly (elderly). However, this disease can also be experienced by young adults, adolescents, and even children. Meanwhile, women are known to be more at risk of developing rheumatism than men.

You can reduce your chances of suffering from this disease by lowering your risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Signs & Symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of rheumatism?

The signs and symptoms of rheumatism can vary depending on the severity and may even come and go at one time or another. However, common signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include:

• Joint pain.
• The joints feel stiff.
• Swollen or tender joints.
• Fatigue.
• Fever.
• Weight loss or loss of appetite.

Early-stage rheumatism tends to affect the small joints, especially the joints that attach the fingers to your hands and feet. As the disease progresses, symptoms often spread to other joints, such as the wrists, knees, ankles, elbows, hips, and shoulders.

In most cases, symptoms can occur in the same joint on both sides of your body.

There may be rheumatism signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When to see a doctor?

If you have any signs or symptoms above or any other questions, don't hesitate to consult a doctor. You can go to a general practitioner first to find out the cause of your symptoms.

However, if your symptoms lead to joint problems, such as rheumatoid arthritis, your GP may refer you to an internal medicine specialist (rheumatologist) to confirm the condition.

Remember, everyone's body is different. So, always consult a doctor to treat your health condition.

Causes & risk factors

What causes rheumatism or rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis or rheumatism is an autoimmune disease. This means that this disease is caused by the immune system or the immune system attacks healthy body tissues.

In patients with rheumatism, the immune system attacks the synovium, which is the membrane lining the joints. This condition causes the joints to become inflamed and swollen, causing pain.

Although autoimmune disorders are believed to be the cause of rheumatism, researchers do not yet know what factors can trigger the disorder.

What increases a person's risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis?

The cause of rheumatism is not known for sure. However, there are several factors that can increase your risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. These include:

• Female.
• Middle age.
• Family history.
• Obesity.
• Smoking habit.
• Environmental exposure, such as asbestos or silica.

Having no risk factors does not mean you cannot get this disease. These factors are for reference only. Consult your doctor for more information.

Complications

What are the possible complications or effects of rheumatic disease?

Rheumatoid arthritis can cause several other health conditions, which are more dangerous and sometimes can be life threatening. Some of the complications of rheumatoid arthritis or rheumatism are:

1. Osteoporosis

Rheumatic diseases along with their treatment can increase the risk of developing osteoporosis, which is a condition that weakens bones and can make bones prone to fractures.

2. Rheumatoid nodules

Rheumatoid nodules are hard lumps that appear under the skin. These lumps most commonly form around pressure points, such as the elbows, but can also form anywhere on the body, including the lungs.

3. Sjogren's Syndrome

People with rheumatoid arthritis are more likely to develop Sjogren's syndrome, which is a disorder that decreases the amount of moisture in your eyes and mouth, causing dry eyes and mouth.

4. Infection

Rheumatic diseases and medications can damage the immune system. This condition can increase the risk of infection.

5. Carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is pressure on the nerves in your wrist. If rheumatoid arthritis affects the joints in the wrist, inflammation can press on the nerves in your hands and fingers, causing carpal tunnel syndrome with symptoms of pain, numbness and tingling in the fingers and part of the hand.

6. Heart problems

Rheumatism can increase the risk of heart problems. Because this disease can cause blockage and hardening of the arteries, as well as inflammation of the sac that covers your heart.

7. Lung disease

A person with RA disease can be at risk of developing inflammation in the lung tissue, which can cause symptoms of shortness of breath.

8. Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that develops in the lymphatic system. If you have RA, you are more at risk of developing this disease.

Diagnosis and treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

What are the usual tests to diagnose this condition?

Rheumatic disease is difficult to diagnose at an early stage because the initial symptoms are very similar to other diseases. To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor will usually ask your medical history and perform a physical examination to look for signs of this disease and check your reflexes and muscle strength.

After that, the doctor will perform several tests or examinations including blood tests and imaging tests, such as X rays, MRI, or ultrasound. This imaging test can look for signs of damage (erosion) to the ends of the bones inside the joints and help doctors assess the severity of your RA disease.

While the blood test that is generally done consists of an sedimentation rate test (erythrocyte sedimentation rate/ ESR) or C-reactive protein (CRP), which can show inflammation in the body, complete blood counts, and tests to look for rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies.

What are the treatment options for rheumatism?

The best way to treat rheumatoid arthritis is to use medical and supportive treatments, such as therapy and lifestyle changes. Some of the drugs and medications that are generally given include:

• NSAIDs, such as naproxen and ibuprofen to reduce pain and inflammation.
• Drug disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), such as methotrexate, leflunomide, hydroxychloroquine, and sulfasalazine, to slow disease progression as well as protect joints from permanent damage.
• Corticosteroid drugs, such as prednisone, to reduce inflammation and pain, and slow joint damage.
• Physical or occupational therapy to help keep your joints flexible.
• Surgery or surgery, especially in more severe cases. The surgical procedure for rheumatism can generally be a synovectomy, joint replacement, repair of the tendons around the joint, or fusion (fusion) of the joint.

There may be other treatment methods that doctors can use to treat rheumatism. Please ask your doctor for more information.

Can a person recover from rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis or rheumatism is not a disease that can be completely cured. This means that if you have this disease, the chances of a complete recovery from rheumatoid arthritis are zero.

However, as reported by the NHS, you can still control symptoms and reduce the risk of joint damage and prevent rheumatic complications by undergoing treatment as early as possible, including medications, lifestyle changes, and other supportive medications.

Lifestyle changes & home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat rheumatism?

Some of the lifestyle changes and medications you can take to treat rheumatoid arthritis are:

• Regular light exercise to help strengthen the muscles around the joints, such as walking.
• Get some rest. Getting enough sleep will help reduce inflammation and pain, as well as fatigue.
• Hot pack or ice. Hot compresses can help relax muscles and relieve pain, while cold compresses can reduce pain and swelling.
• Eat the recommended foods and avoid those that are taboo, such as foods containing omega-3s and foods for other rheumatism.
• Natural therapies or ways to treat rheumatoid arthritis, such as acupuncture, massage, tai chi, or rheumatic herbal remedies.

If you have questions, consult your doctor for the best solution for the condition you are facing.

Prevention

How to prevent rheumatism?

Some risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis are irreversible, such as age, gender, or family history. However, prevention of rheumatism can still be done by avoiding several other risk factors that can be changed.

Some of the ways to prevent rheumatism or rheumatoid arthritis are:

• Exercise regularly to strengthen muscles and joints, increase body flexibility, and maintain ideal body weight.
• Lose weight. Obesity is a risk factor for RA. Therefore, you should lose weight and keep your body weight ideal if you are obese, for the prevention of rheumatism.
• Quit smoking. Smoking is another risk factor for RA. By quitting smoking and avoiding exposure to secondhand smoke, you can lower your risk of developing this disease.
• Eat a balanced nutritious diet, including those containing calcium and vitamin D, which are good for bone and joint health, and avoid and limit foods that cause inflammation.