14/04/2017
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints.
" Autoimmune diseases are illnesses that occur when the body's tissues are mistakenly attacked by their own immune system. "
The immune system contains a complex organization of cells and antibodies designed normally to "seek and destroy" invaders of the body, particularly infections.Patients with autoimmune diseases have antibodies and immune cells in their blood that target their own body tissues, where they can be associated with inflammation.
While inflammation of the tissue around the joints and inflammatory arthritis are characteristic features of rheumatoid arthritis, the disease can also cause inflammation and injury in other organs in the body. Because it can affect multiple other organs of the body, rheumatoid arthritis is referred to as a systemic illness and is sometimes called rheumatoid disease. Rheumatoid arthritis is a classic rheumatic disease. Rheumatoid arthritis that begins in people under 16 years of age is referred to as juvenile idiopathic arthritis or JIA (formerly juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or JRA)
Rheumatoid arthritis is a destructive joint disease that is caused by inflammation in the tissue that normally produces lubrication fluid for joints. When this tissue remains inflamed, it leads to deformity by loosening joint ligaments and to joint destruction by eroding away cartilage and bone.
Osteoarthritis is a noninflammatory joint disease whereby the cartilage of the joint thins, typically asymmetrically -- so only one knee or hand may be affected.
While rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic illness, meaning it can last for years, patients may experience long periods without symptoms. However, rheumatoid arthritis is typically a progressive illness that has the potential to cause significant joint destruction and functional disability.
A joint is where two bones meet to allow movement of body parts. Arthritis means joint inflammation. The joint inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis causes swelling, pain, stiffness, and redness in the joints. The inflammation of rheumatoid disease can also occur in tissues around the joints, such as the tendons, ligaments, and muscles.
In some people with rheumatoid arthritis, chronic inflammation leads to the destruction of the cartilage, bone, and ligaments, causing deformity of the joints. Damage to the joints can occur early in the disease and be progressive. Moreover, studies have shown that the progressive damage to the joints does not necessarily correlate with the degree of pain, stiffness, or swelling present in the joints
Besides stiffness, what are other symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis
Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include pain, swelling, stiffness, warmth and tenderness of joints. The symptoms are majorly noted in same joint on both sides of the body i.e. bilateral and symmetrical involvement. Joint deformities are noted in advanced stages of rheumatoid arthritis. Joint stiffness is mainly felt in the morning time and after periods of inactivity. To start with, small joints are involved, those of fingers, toes, ankles and wrist for example. As the disease advances, joints of elbows, shoulders, knees and hips get affected. General fatigue and weight loss are also associated with this condition. Apart from primary joint involvement, other organs such as skin, kidneys, lungs, eyes, heart and blood vessels may also get secondarily involved in rheumatoid arthritis at a later stage
Do RA need some blood tests?
Yes, persons showing symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis need to take certain blood tests to rule out the condition. These include rheumatoid factor, anti–CCP, anti-MCV tests. Rheumatoid Factor is the oldest of these tests. A positive test result shows rheumatoid arthritis. This test, however, is not precise enough. The rheumatoid factor test for diseases such as SLE, Sjogren’s syndrome and hepatitis C will also be positive. For more precise results, new tests such as anti–CCP or anti-citrullinated peptide test and anti-MCV or antibodies against mutated citrullinated vimentin are relied upon. In addition to these tests, X-ray of affected joints is done to rule out signs of joint .
A positive rheumatoid factor in isolation does not indicate a person has rheumatoid arthritis. However, a person with clinical symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis along with positive rheumatoid factor signifies rheumatoid arthritis. It is, however, best to take the anti-CCP and anti-MCV tests to be sure. These tests are rated high in terms of precision of results.
HOMOEOPATHIC MODE:-
Homeopathic mode of treatment is very effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis. Homeopathic medicines treat rheumatoid arthritis by moderating the overactive immune system. They help reduce joint inflammation and symptoms including pain, swelling and stiffness of joints. Homeopathy offers a wide range of medicines for rheumatoid arthritis. Yet, there is no one treatment for all ills associated with this condition. The most appropriate Homeopathic medicine for rheumatoid arthritis is selected based on an in-depth analysis of individual symptoms. Highly effective Homeopathic medicines for rheumatoid arthritis are Rhus Tox, Actaea Spicata, Bryonia, Causticum, Caulophyllum and Kalmia. When selected and used as per their characteristic symptom indications, these medicines are known to work wonders.
Homeopathic Medicine for Rheumatoid Arthritis
A chronic systemic disease characterised by inflammatory changes in joints & related structures that results in crippling deformities. Diseases primarily affecting the synovium & adjacent tissues.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic systemic inflammatory disorder that may affect many tissues and organs, but principally attacks the joints producing a inflammatory synovitis that often progresses to destruction of the articular cartilage and ankylosis of the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis can also produce diffuse inflammation in the lungs, pericardium, pleura, and sclera, and also nodular lesions, most common in subcutaneous tissue under the skin. Although the cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown, autoimmunity plays a pivotal role in its chronicity and progression.
Cause of Rheumatoid Arthritis:
– Exact cause is not known.
– Evidence points to autoimmune etiology.
– Genetic predisposition common.
– Precipitating factors:
• Physical or emotional stress.
• After childbirth (remission during pregnancy)
– Hormonal disturbance:
• Puberty.
• Menopause.
– Age: 20 – 45 years
– S*x: common in females.
Pathogenesis: Joint deformity occurs in RA because the cartilage & then the bone is eroded by the proliferative synovial tissue. This process leads to increased laxity of ligaments around the joints, subluxation of tendons & subsequently of joints & inflammation of many other tissues in the body.
Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Prodorme
– Fatigue.
– Malaise.
Symptoms
– Joint stiffness more marked in morning.
– Pain in joints
– Limitation of movement of joints.
– Fever.
– Malaise.
– Night sweats.
– Loss of grip strength.
– Weight loss.
– Joint deformities.
Signs
• Small joints.
• Bilaterally symmetrical
• Joints swollen, hot & tender
• Limitation of movements.l
– Subcutaneous rheumatoid nodules present on extensor surfaces.
– Bursitis.
– Tenosynovitis.
– Muscle wasting above & below affected joints.
– Ulnar deviation of wrist.
– Swan neck deformity of fingers.
– Boutonniere deformity of fingers.
– Z-thumb deformity.
– Tender prominent metatarsal heads with secondary corns.
– Lateral deviation & over-riding of toes with pressure sores.
– Baker’s cyst: – Herniation of synovial cavity into back of knee causing pain & tenderness of calf.
Diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis
1) X-Ray joint.
2) Synovial biopsy.
3) CBC.
4) Synovial fluid analysis.
5) Rheumatoid factor.
Complications of Rheumatoid Arthritis
– Subluxation of atlanto-axial joint.
– Carpal tunnel syndrome.
– Fibrosing alveolitis.
– Sjogren’s syndrome.
– Septic arthritis.
Management of Rheumatoid Arthriti
– Bed rest.
– Well balanced, high protein, easily digestible diet.
– Local rest to joints with splints (to prevent deformity)
– Physiotherapy to avoid contractures.
– Local infra-red radiation or short wave diathermy for relaxation of muscles & relief of pain.
Homeopathy Treatment & Homeopathic Remedies for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Homeopathy treats the person as a whole. It means that homeopathic treatment focuses on the patient as a person, as well as his pathological condition. The homeopathic medicines are selected after a full individualizing examination and case-analysis, which includes the medical history of the patient, physical and mental constitution etc. A miasmatic tendency (predisposition/susceptibility) is also often taken into account for the treatment of chronic conditions. The medicines given below indicate the therapeutic affinity but this is not a complete and definite guide to the treatment of this condition. The symptoms listed against each medicine may not be directly related to this disease because in homeopathy general symptoms and constitutional indications are also taken into account for selecting a remedy. To study any of the following remedies in more detail, please visit our Materia Medica section. None of these medicines should be taken without professional advice.
