What is Rheumatoid Arthritis: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment and Home Remedies

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What is Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. Our immune system which usually protects our body against the attack of virus, bacteria and other foreign substances by mistakes starts attacking our joints. Due to this the tissues that line the joints becomes thick, swollen, red and inflamed. It is a very painful condition.

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment and Home Remedies

Most commonly affected joints in rheumatoid arthritis are:

• Hand joints
• Feet joints
• Elbows
• Knees and
• Ankles

What are the Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis:

Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis may mimic symptoms of other diseases. Few characteristic symptoms of this disease are:

• The stiffness of joints that may limit motion.
• Pain and redness of the affected joint.
• Joints are affected in a symmetrical pattern.
• Tiredness
• Multiple joints may be affected
• Limping
• Warmth of the joints
• Deformity of joints.
• Redness of joints
• Rheumatoid nodules
• It is a chronic disease and there may be remission and flares of the symptoms.

the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis

What are the Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis:

The cause of rheumatoid arthritis- the exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is not known. It has been found that people with a specific genetic marker known as HLA shared epitope have more chance of developing rheumatoid arthritis

However, There may some Triggering Factors such as:

1. An infectious agent such as virus and bacteria.
2. Heredity
3. Smoking
4. Exposure to silica
5. Chronic periodontal diseases.
6. Gut bacteria
7. Obesity
8. Physical and emotional trauma
9. Stress
10. Pollution and insecticides.

the causes of Rheumatoid arthritis

How is Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnose:

• Your doctor may ask you questions related present history, any other medical condition and family history. He may also examine affected joint.
• The blood test is done to detect the presence of rheumatoid factor. It is an antibody that is present in the blood of about 80 percent of patients suffering from RA.
• A blood test is also done to check the level of C-Reactive protein and ESR which are usually high in inflammatory conditions.
• X-ray and MRI may be done for further investigation and to look for the loss of bone or erosion.

What is the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis:

The main goal in the treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis is to stop the inflammation, ease the existing symptoms, prevent further damage to organs and joints and improve the physical functions.
Your health care provider may prescribe medicines to slow the activity of the disease and to relieve the symptoms. Surgery may also be recommended in some cases where permanent damage limits the daily activities.
Further, in this article, we will discuss the home remedies to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

9 Home Remedies to Relieve the Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis:

1. Fish Oil- Fish oil is rich in omega-3fatty acid, which reduces the inflammation and pain.
   Take 2.6 grams of fish oil every day. You may also eat cold water fishes such as salmon and tuna fish as are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
   *In some people fish oil increases bruises and may cause bleeding. Also, it interferes with certain medications so it is better to consult your doctor before taking it.
   

   Home remedies to relieve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis fish oil

2. Apple cider vinegar- Apple cider vinegar is rich in magnesium, potassium, calcium and phosphorous. It is anti- inflammatory and reduces pain.
   Add 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in a cup of warm water. You may add a teaspoon of honey to it. Drink it once a day to relieve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
3. Tea tree oil- This is an ancient remedy to treat joint pains. It is anti-inflammatory and antiseptic.
   Take equal quantities of tea tree oil and olive oil. Mix it properly and apply to your joint. Massage gently before going to the bed.
4. Turmeric- Curcumin present in the turmeric is and anti-arthritic an anti-inflammatory. It blocks the enzymes that are responsible for causing inflammation. It is a good substitute to NSAIDs given by your physician to relieve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
   Take a cup of water and boil it. Add a tablespoon of turmeric powder to it and again boil for about 15 minutes. Cool it and drink it times a day.

   * The High dose of turmeric may thin your blood and can also upset your stomach so consult your doctor before having it.

5. Evening primrose oil- It contains gamma linolenic acid, which reduces inflammation.
   Take 4 grams of evening primrose oil daily to relieve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
   * It may cause a headache, nausea, diarrhea, gas, can interfere medications, so it is better once consulting your doctor before having it.
   

   Evening primrose oil-

6. Hot and cold application- Hot compress relaxes the muscles and cold application reduces inflammation and swelling. This finally reduces the pain.
   Take a hot water bag and wrap it in the towel it over the affected joint. After 3 minutes, remove hot compress and then place ice cubes wrapped in cheesecloth for about a minute. Repeat this for 20 minutes 2 times a day to relieve the symptom of rheumatoid arthritis.
7. Garlic- It inhibits cytokines that are pro-inflammatory substance. It also fights against free radicals and prevents oxidative damage.
   Eat 1 to 2 fresh cloves of garlic daily to relieve symptoms and treat rheumatoid arthritis.
8. Ginger tea- Gingerol present in the ginger is anti-inflammatory and reduces t-cells and immune -cell action.
   Grate a piece of ginger and add it to boiling water. Steep it for 15 minutes. Strain and drink the tea 2 times a day. You may also eat stir-fried or fresh pickle of ginger. You may also apply ginger oil to the affected joint and massage for a few minutes to reduce the pain.
9. Green tea- Green tea contains antioxidants that suppress the immune system and prevents oxidative damage. Drink green tea daily 2 to 3 times.
   

   Green tea remedies to relieve of rheumatoid arthritis

   Besides above home remedies avoid red meat, gluten containing foods, refined sugar, fried foods, alcohol and processed foods as they can make the symptom of rheumatoid arthritis worse.

If inflammation caused due to rheumatoid arthritis is not checked, it mat lead to damage of cartilage and bones. The joint may lose their mobility by becoming loose, unstable and painful. Once the damage is caused t can not be reversed. Thus, an early diagnosis and treatment of the disease are very important.

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