10 Fast Facts that You Need to Know about Rheumatoid Arthritis

If you, a family member or a friend is persistently suffering from joint pain, swelling and stiffness, read on.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a life-long condition. Educating yourself can be one of the most powerful courses of action you can take to deal with it better.

Here are 10 fast facts to give you a bird’s eye view of what the disease is like:

1. The Arthritis Foundation explains that Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is “an autoimmune disease in which your body’s immune system – which protects your health by attacking foreign substances like bacteria and viruses – mistakenly attacks your joints. The abnormal immune response causes inflammation that can damage joints and organs, such as the heart.“
2. RA patients suffer a long-term disease that causes pain, stiffness, swelling and limited motion and function of many joints.
3. The disease affects three times more women than men, commonly between ages 30 and 60.
4. There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis. There are only palliative treatments for symptoms like inflammation and pain.
5. Staying active and strengthening bones are suggested ways to keep joints flexible. Sedentary lifestyle, like sitting or watching TV for most of the day with little or no vigorous physical exercise, only worsens joint stiffness.
6. The right time to see a doctor is when your joints become persistently swollen with accompanying discomfort.
7. Three factors increase your risk of rheumatoid arthritis:
   a. Sex: Females are more prone to acquiring the disease than men
   b. Age: In average, 40 year olds are likely more susceptible to rheumatoid arthritis. 30-60 year olds are to watch out for it more than other age groups.
   c. Family history: You have increased risk for it if the disease runs in your blood. Start checking your bloodline for rheumatoid arthritis history.
8. Early signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis look like a pool of many other diseases. This makes it difficult to diagnose in its early stages. It is therefore advisable to be more vigilant when you have any of the risk factors.
9. The doctor you should see if you suspect suffering from this disease is a rheumatologist.
10. If you are starting to suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, HER may help you cope with the symptoms:

• Heat or Cold: Heat application helps ease the pain and relaxes tense, painful muscles. Cold numbs the pain and helps control inflammation.
• Exercise: Exercise strengthens muscles around joints, keeps the joints flexible, fights fatigue and releases endorphins to divert you away from the pain. Gentle range-of-motion exercises, like stretching, are easy and cost-effective activities to consider.
• Relax: Relaxation techniques are suggested diversional activities to manage your joint pains. Deep breathing exercises and guided Imagery are just a few of recommended options to help control the pain.

Just like any chronic condition, rheumatoid arthritis is best dealt with a solid support system. Involvement of family, friends, health care provider and a supplement that understands the pain and the condition as a whole contributes to better quality of life of the person with rheumatoid arthritis.