Rheumatoid arthritis is a group of various inflammatory processes that affect the joints, including the joints of the hands. The pathology develops mainly in people thirty years of age and older, and women suffer from this disease three times more often than men. The disease is dangerous due to impaired mobility in the joints, including disability. That is why timely diagnosis and adequate treatment .
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that is associated with a “breakdown” in the immune system, as a result of which the body perceives its own cells as foreign and begins to destroy them.
The specific reasons that activate this process have not yet been studied, however, there are factors that contribute to its development:
The disease progresses slowly with gradually increasing symptoms.
Patients experience fever, chills, weight loss, decreased appetite, weakness and sleep disturbances. After this, a disease develops, the onset of which can be acute or subacute. Subacute course is more common.
The patient should be alert to the following symptoms: aching pain in the hands of both hands , stiffness, swelling and redness of the skin. It is not possible to clench your hands into a fist. The pain is transient and often occurs after intense physical activity.
Pain in the joints of the hands intensifies at night and subsides during the day. In the morning, patients note joint stiffness , but inactivity gradually goes away.
Due to impaired blood supply to the joints, the skin of the wrists and hands turns pale, becomes dry and thin, atrophic changes in the muscles of the hands and necrosis of the periungual area on the fingers may occur.
The disease occurs in several stages:
In addition to the local signs of joint damage described above, there are systemic manifestations of the disease (which are a hallmark of rheumatoid arthritis):
Diagnosis of the disease includes a visual examination, collecting complaints, determining the severity of symptoms and medical history, as well as conducting examinations and tests. One of the significant markers of this disease is the presence of positive rheumatoid factor. In addition, patients are prescribed radiography to determine the severity of inflammatory processes in the affected joints.
According to statistics, about nine months pass from the onset of the disease to diagnosis and treatment (which is associated with minor and erased first symptoms of the disease). In such cases, a complete cure is not always possible, but strict adherence to all the doctor’s recommendations allows you to achieve stable remission . Adequate therapy helps all patients (even the elderly) to care for themselves and maintain their ability to work.
Therapy for pathology should be comprehensive and include diet, medications, therapeutic exercises and physiotherapy, and so on.
The following medications are used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis:
It is also important to follow the following rules:
In advanced, complex cases where conservative therapy is ineffective, patients are prescribed endoprosthetics. This operation comes down to replacing the affected joints with special prostheses, which are made taking into account the individual physiological characteristics of the patient.
After such surgical interventions and a rehabilitation period, the person returns to his usual lifestyle without the severe pain that accompanies the fourth stage of arthritis. However, endoprosthetics also has disadvantages, one of which is a decrease in arm span after surgery and many contraindications.
Alternative medicine is used in combination with conservative treatment and with mandatory consideration of the body's reactions (for example, allergies to certain components).
Raw potatoes have a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect; they are often used for a variety of diseases, including joint diseases. Both infusions for internal use and compresses for external use are prepared from potatoes.
To prepare the infusion, take raw potatoes, grate them, and then pour in one glass of kefir. Take the remedy like this:
The course of therapy is sixty days, after treatment the pain disappears. However, after some time the disease may return, and therefore treatment is carried out in several courses for prevention.
To prepare a potato compress, chop the potatoes, put the resulting pulp in a gauze bag and immerse it in boiling water for a few seconds. Then they put it in a piece of natural fabric, wrap it and apply it to the inflamed joint overnight, having previously wrapped the joint in polyethylene and thoroughly insulated it. Such compresses should be performed daily for seven days.
For rheumatoid arthritis of the hand joints, apple cider vinegar is used. Drink it one teaspoon after dissolving the vinegar in one glass of water. The solution should be taken three to five times a day before meals. In the presence of gastritis or other pathologies of the stomach, the dose is reduced by half. The course of therapy is 2-4 weeks.
In addition to oral administration, vinegar can be used as compresses to reduce the intensity of pain. To do this, one spoon (tablespoon) of six percent vinegar is diluted in 500 milliliters of hot water. A cloth is moistened in the resulting solution, which is then wrapped around the affected joint. Next, you need to wrap the sore spot well and leave until the compress cools completely.
Half a package of bay leaves is poured with 300 milliliters of hot water and boiled for five minutes. After this, the broth is tightly covered and infused for three hours. Next, the broth is filtered and the entire amount is drunk overnight.
Repeat the procedure daily for three days, each time preparing a new decoction. A week later, the three-day course is repeated. To prevent relapses, treatment is repeated every other year.
Pine decoction does not cause addiction or side effects, and therefore can be used for a long time. It relieves pain and inflammation well.
To prepare such a decoction you will need:
All ingredients are poured with two liters of water, boiled for half an hour, and left to stand in a warm place for 24 hours. Strain well. Drink no more than one liter during the day. In cases of severe pain, it is recommended to take baths with pine decoction.
One of the conditions for successful treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is proper nutrition. That is why the patient’s diet includes fermented milk products, proteins (cooked with steam or boiled lean meat or fish), fresh vegetables, fruits, and a variety of cereals.
Frozen or fresh berries (sea buckthorn, lingonberry, black currant), and freshly squeezed juices (carrot, cabbage, beetroot) are considered especially useful. To improve the taste and enhance the healing effect, honey is added to the juices.
One of the common diseases leading to a person’s loss of ability to work and subsequent disability is rheumatoid arthritis. The first symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in a sick person are clear signs of incipient inflammation in the joints of the hands, manifested in curvature and deformity of the fingers. Their motor skills deteriorate, the patient cannot do even the simplest and most familiar work.
Whatever factor causes this disease, it will certainly lead to disruption of the immune system..
Interarticular fluid accumulates in them. This leads to swelling, pain, hypertrophy (increase in size); in some cases, the capsular membranes grow into cartilage, ligaments or bone, which disrupts the functioning of the joint as a whole.
Age group at risk: 22 – 55 years.
Women get sick more often, the ratio is 3:1.
As the disease progresses, it can persist throughout the day.
Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by symmetry: if the elbow joint of the right hand is affected, then the joint of the left is likely to become inflamed.
With rheumatoid arthritis of the finger joints, there are several types of formation of a characteristic rheumatoid hand:
In these cases, the hand and fingers are not bent at physiological angles and are fixed in a certain position, reminiscent of this or that object. If left untreated, limb mobility may be completely lost.
Other small and larger joints also undergo changes, and the following occurs:
For the medical history and treatment of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis, and doctors’ recommendations, see the video.
To establish or confirm a diagnosis, a set of studies is prescribed, which includes:
With inflammation, the following is noted: an increase in the content of C-reactive protein, seromucoid, fibrinogen in the blood; positive rheumatic factor in 70–90% of cases; anemia; increase in ESR.
In the presence of pathology, it has a cloudy color, low viscosity, and an increased number of leukocytes and neutrophils.
The protein content and excess serum creatinine and urea levels confirm the diagnosis.
The photographs clearly show the blurring of the boundaries of the connecting surfaces of the articular tissues. In severe cases, fusion of the bones that articulate in the joint is noticeable.
Typically includes the use of the following groups of drugs:
NSAIDs: meloxicam, nimesulide, celecoxib.
Their side effects are minimal, they have a strong anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.
15 mg/day. (start of treatment); 7.5 mg/day. (maintenance therapy)
If the patient's body weight is less than 50 kg, it is recommended to prescribe the minimum dosage of the drug. You cannot combine non-steroidal drugs, as the risk of side effects increases while the level of effectiveness remains unchanged.
They are prescribed immediately after the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. The main means of basic therapy are:
The effectiveness of basic drugs is assessed over a period of 3 months. If it is not high enough, they are replaced or combined with hormonal drugs in small doses, which suppresses the activity of rheumatoid arthritis.
In systemic therapy, the drug Wobenzym with a wide spectrum of action (anti-inflammatory, analgesic and immunomodulatory) is more often used. It is often combined with non-steroidal, basic and hormonal drugs.
Standard prescription: 7-10 tablets three times a day; for maintenance therapy: 3–5 tablets three times a day.
Hormones can be prescribed as an anti-inflammatory and local remedy if other drugs are ineffective. In the intensive phase of the inflammatory process, hormonal therapy is most effective. Without systemic manifestations, a course of treatment is prescribed.
In the presence of systemic manifestations, pulse therapy is performed, in which hormones in high doses are used together with slow-acting drugs, which significantly increases their effectiveness. In this case, the drug prednisolone is usually used, which has a positive effect on the joints.
External agents (ointments, gels and creams).
These include: ibuprofen, piroxicam, ketoprofen, amelotex, diclofenac. The preparations contain non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and are used as applications on joints involved in the inflammatory process.
Recommended frequency of examinations:
The treatment process for the disease is long with regular repetitions of medication courses and physiotherapeutic treatment.
An important task for the doctor and the patient is not to miss the appearance of the first symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
Early diagnosis, appropriate nutrition, cessation of alcohol and smoking, dosed and moderate physical activity will help enhance the therapeutic effect and prolong periods of temporary improvement in the patient’s health.
Arthritis of the fingers is an inflammatory process that affects the metacarpophalangeal, metatarsophalangeal and interphalangeal joints of the extremities. Arthritis is characterized by pain at the junction of the phalanges of the fingers at rest and during movement, swelling of the joints, limited mobility and changes in shape. Diagnosis of arthritis of the fingers involves a comprehensive laboratory and instrumental examination: general and biochemical blood tests, x-rays of the fingers, MRI. Treatment of arthritis of the fingers is carried out with the help of drug therapy (antibiotics, chondroprotectors, anti-inflammatory drugs), physiotherapy, massage, and therapeutic exercises. If necessary, arthroplasty or endoprosthetics can be performed.
Arthritis of the fingers is a peripheral arthritis that occurs with inflammatory changes in the small joints of the hands and feet. Most often, arthritis of the fingers is not an independent disease, but acts as a secondary syndrome in the clinic of rheumatic, metabolic, and infectious diseases. In this case, the metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints of the hands are most often affected. In rheumatology, arthritis of the fingers is 3-5 times more often diagnosed in women, which is associated with their greater employment in manual labor, increased load on the joints and high frequency of flexion-extension movements. Arthritis of the fingers can rightfully be considered a socially significant problem, since the disease often leads to the loss of professional skills, self-care skills and disability.
Depending on the leading cause, primary arthritis of the fingers can be infectious, metabolic, rheumatoid and post-traumatic. Secondary lesions of small joints develop against the background of previous allergic, autoimmune, and somatic diseases. Most often, finger arthritis occurs as oligo- and polyarthritis; in some cases, local inflammation develops (monoarthritis), for example, rhizarthritis - arthritis of the first metacarpal joint.
Most often, small joints are affected by autoimmune, infectious-allergic processes, metabolic disorders and injuries. Immune complex reactions underlie the development of rheumatoid arthritis. The immediate manifestation of the disease can be facilitated by a previous viral and bacterial infection (influenza, measles, herpes, mumps, hepatitis B, scarlet fever, tonsillitis), a stressful situation, hypothermia, vaccination, physiological hormonal changes caused by puberty, pregnancy, menopause, etc. Damage to the joints of the fingers is included in the symptom complex of arthritis in gout (gouty arthritis) and psoriasis (psoriatic arthritis).
Post-traumatic arthritis can result from various sports and everyday injuries (bruises, dislocated fingers, intra-articular fractures of the fingers and toes, ruptures of ligaments and tendons, etc.), and surgical interventions. Often, arthritis of the fingers develops in people of certain professions who are engaged in manual labor (hairdressers, jewelers, seamstresses, tailors) and receive microtrauma to the joints in the process of work. Arthritis of the toes can be associated with increased pressure on the joints due to excess weight and flat feet. Also, ballet dancers often suffer from this type of disease, which is why arthritis of the toes is called “ballerina’s disease.”
In rheumatoid arthritis, the inflammatory process usually involves the metacarpophalangeal joints of the index and middle fingers, as well as the wrist and elbow joints. In this case, symmetrical damage to the joints of the right and left hands is noted. It is possible to develop arthritis of the toes, as well as the knee and ankle joints. As a rule, the metacarpophalangeal joint of the 1st finger and the distal interphalangeal joints are not affected.
Joint pain in rheumatoid arthritis tends to intensify in the second half of the night and in the morning, with some weakening during the daytime. Joints appear swollen; Due to morning stiffness, patients experience a feeling of “tight gloves on their hands.” When walking, pain occurs at the base of the toes; Painful calluses form on the plantar surfaces of the distal phalanges.
The mobility of the wrist, metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints is sharply reduced: patients suffering from arthritis of the fingers can hardly perform everyday household movements. Due to impaired blood supply, the skin on the hands becomes thinner and becomes dry; atrophy of the arm muscles is noted. Active and long-term course of rheumatoid arthritis leads to persistent deformation of the fingers: fusiform swelling, “boutonniere” and “swan neck” deformities, ulnar deviation of the fingers with incomplete dislocation in the metacarpophalangeal joints. The main types of foot deformities include claw toes, or hammertoes. When the metatarsal joints are involved in the inflammatory process, valgus deformity of the foot develops.
Psoriatic arthritis most often develops in patients who have psoriatic manifestations on the skin and scalp. Arthritis of the fingers in psoriasis is characterized by axial inflammation, which is characterized by swelling of all joints, causing the fingers to take on a sausage-like shape. The skin over the joints has a purple-bluish tint. As a rule, with psoriatic arthritis, the joints are affected asymmetrically, that is, on one arm or leg or on different fingers. There is no morning stiffness; mainly limited joint flexion.
For gouty arthritis, the most typical lesion is the joint of the first (big) toe, less often the hand. Clinical symptoms are characterized by gout attacks - acute, unexpected attacks of unbearable pain, swelling of the joints, local hyperthermia, bright red (purple) coloration of the skin. The attacks continue for several days, then suddenly subside, but after a while they recur. Under the skin of the joints, as well as in the subcutaneous fatty tissue of the extremities, yellowish painless nodules with a diameter of 1-2 cm (tophi) are detected, which are deposits of uric acid salts. During the next gouty attack, the tophi may open, releasing a white curdled mass.
Only a competent rheumatologist or arthrologist can correctly determine the etiological form of finger arthritis. During the initial examination, attention is paid to the connection between the onset of arthritis and the patient’s acute or chronic diseases, the number and symmetry of joint damage, the presence of deformity, the nature of pain, extra-articular manifestations and other clinical signs. If necessary, the patient should be consulted by a traumatologist, allergist-immunologist.
The mandatory diagnostic complex includes radiography of the fingers and toes, ultrasound of small joints, MRI, and CT. A biochemical blood test involves determining the level of uric acid, CRP, fibrinogen, rheumatoid factor, sialic acid, seromucoid, cryoglobulins, CEC, etc. To confirm the diagnosis and etiology of arthritis of the fingers, the study of synovial fluid obtained using percutaneous aspiration under ultrasound guidance is important.
When rheumatoid, psoriatic, gouty arthritis occurs, affecting small and large joints of the extremities, complex pathogenetic and symptomatic treatment is carried out, including medication and physiotherapeutic methods.
In order to stop exacerbations and prolong remission, extracorporeal hemocorrection methods are used (leukocytapheresis, cryoapheresis, cascade plasma filtration). For arthritis of the fingers, a course of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, vasodilators, chondroprotectors, vitamin complexes, etc. is prescribed. External therapy for arthritis of the fingers involves the use of anti-inflammatory ointments, dimexide applications, hand and foot medicinal baths. In the remission stage, physiotherapeutic treatment is included (paraffin therapy, mud applications, magnetic therapy, diadynamic therapy, electrophoresis, UHF), massage, and therapeutic exercises.
In many cases, patients with arthritis of the toes are advised to wear orthotics and orthopedic shoes. With the development of persistent dysfunction and disabling deformities of the finger joints, surgical intervention may be required - arthroplasty or endoprosthetics of the metacarpophalangeal joints, resection of hammertoe deformity, etc.
The prognosis for arthritis of the fingers is ambiguous; determined by the characteristics of the primary disease and the severity of local changes in the joints. As a result of arthritis of the fingers, complete recovery and restoration of all joint functions are possible. In severe or advanced cases, destruction and irreversible deformation of the joints may occur, followed by ankylosis. Preventive measures are similar to the prevention of causally significant diseases and injuries of the fingers and toes.
There is a group of autoimmune diseases in which the body reacts incorrectly to its own cells and begins to attack them. Rheumatoid arthritis is a similar disorder. Affects large and small joints and internal organs. A common form of this pathology is rheumatoid arthritis of the fingers.
For smooth movement, the joint cavity is filled with fluid, and the surface of the bones is covered with cartilage tissue. On the outside, it is covered by a capsule, the inner wall of which is called the synovial membrane. It is in this area that pathology begins to develop.
Inflammation occurs in the joint cavity, and immunoglobulin G (IgG) appears. The response from the lymph nodes and spleen is the production of immunoglobulin M (IgM). Next, local immunity is activated, which tries to destroy the foreign agent. Complete removal does not occur; residual elements continue to destroy the synovial membrane and cartilaginous component. As a result, cartilage tissue is replaced by connective tissue, and the hand loses its functions.
If we consider the clinical manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis, they can be divided into two groups - general and local.
If such signs are detected, you should consult a rheumatologist.
Age from 45 years. Slowing down metabolic processes and blood circulation. This leads to malnutrition of the cartilage component and all tissues in general. During menopause, a woman's body undergoes dramatic hormonal changes, which can provoke the development of rheumatoid arthritis. Previously suffered bone-traumatic changes, especially fractures followed by metal osteosynthesis, deform the bones and reduce their strength.
Dr. Bubnovsky: “Penny product No. 1 for restoring normal blood supply to the joints. Helps in the treatment of bruises and injuries. Your back and joints will be the same as when you were 18 years old, just apply it once a day. »
Heredity. It is not a genetically dependent pathology, but the risk of development is much higher. Multiple allergic reactions. Reduce the body's adaptive abilities. The likelihood of developing the disease in people with hypersensitivity is quite high.
The first symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis of the fingers are aching pain that intensifies at night and in the morning. The main feature of the pathology is the symmetry of the lesion. There is also swelling and redness of the skin combined with stiffness. The latter can be so strong that it is difficult to shake hands. Clinically, the disease goes through 4 successive stages.
Sometimes there is slight stiffness in movements in the hands exclusively in the morning.
Swelling and increased temperature around the phalanges of the fingers and hand occur. The duration of morning stiffness lengthens.
There is a spread of the pathological process to the fingers of the upper and lower extremities.
Clinical manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis are very clear and indicative. A rheumatologist does not have any problems in establishing a diagnosis. The purpose of diagnosis is to determine the stage of the disease.
First of all, the doctor will order a blood test - ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate), leukocyte and platelet levels. These indicators reflect general inflammatory changes in the body. For a rheumatologist, the values of rheumatoid factor, C-reactive protein, and CIC (circulating immune complexes) will be important.
Next, the patient is sent for an MRI. The technique reveals changes in cartilage tissue at an early stage of pathology development. If magnetic resonance imaging is not possible, an alternative would be CT (computed tomography) or classic X-ray. The last two methods see changes starting from the stage when the lesion affects the bone tissue.
The main goal of therapy is to reduce pain by reducing inflammation and swelling. The goal of treatment is to stop the development of the process, since it is progressive. All medications should be prescribed only by a doctor.
The prescription of drug therapy must meet the main goal.
· Glucocorticoids – if the first group is ineffective.
· Plasmapheresis – blood purification outside the patient’s body.
Autoimmune diseases are extremely difficult to prevent. But doctors make several recommendations.
If there have been cases of a similar disease in the family, then annual preventive examinations should not be forgotten.
Do exercises for fine motor skills at home. Firstly, movement allows the joints to be toned. Secondly, you will be able to notice early signs of pathology.
Infectious diseases should not be allowed to progress to the chronic stage. Timely treatment is important.
Try, as far as possible, to reduce the level of psycho-emotional stress. It’s difficult to do this in a crazy pace of life, but let your body rest and recover.
Doctors strongly recommend not to use traditional medicine in the acute phase and in the early stages. The reason is a smoothing of the clinical picture, a high risk of missing the onset of the disease. During the period of remission, you can use wraps based on beeswax with the addition of pepper and St. John's wort oil. The temperature of the mass should be comfortable for the body. Apply wax to cellophane and wrap the sore hand. Herbal baths (St. John's wort, aloe juice, yarrow) are effective.
Diet during therapy is an important stage of treatment.
· Very hot or cold food;
It is necessary to adjust your diet in such a way as to exclude foods from the first group as much as possible.
In the foreground are changes in the joints themselves - deformation, severe limitation of mobility, pain, swelling. Against the background of rheumatoid arthritis, arthrosis of large joints of the upper and lower extremities, as well as all parts of the spine, may develop. A serious complication of therapy is the development of osteoporosis. Since the drugs increase the excretion of calcium.
In the absence of appropriate treatment, the likelihood of disability is high. A person at a late stage of the pathological process cannot care for himself. He needs constant help from loved ones. But with effective drug and physical therapy, in combination with diet and exercise, it is possible to stop development and reduce the risk of relapse.
Arthritis is not a pathology of older people; children are also at risk of developing a similar autoimmune disease. The causes, as well as clinical manifestations, are similar to adults. If you notice that your child's joints are red, swollen, hot to the touch, or painful, contact your pediatrician immediately.
Arthritis is characterized by a relapsing course. Therefore, the sooner you consult a doctor, the greater the likelihood of stopping the process at the current level. The main advice that all doctors give is not to self-medicate; a doctor should treat. It is imperative to strictly follow all recommendations in order to prevent a wave of exacerbation.
Basic drug therapy has its side effects. Therefore, scientists are inventing new treatment methods. One of these was an attempt to remove circulating immune complexes from the bloodstream using extracorporeal hemocorrection. The results obtained were mixed, and improvements in technique were required. Today, work is underway on cryomodification of autoplasma. It is based on the principles of changing, without suppressing, the body's immune defense. To do this, pathogenicity factors are selectively removed.
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Rheumatoid arthritis is a severe pathology, often leading to disability. Requires complex treatment. An important aspect is the focus on results not only of the doctor, but also of the patient. Strict compliance with all instructions can reduce the severity of clinical manifestations and significantly improve the quality of life.
Human joints are complex mechanisms consisting of many muscles, tendons and bone tissue. Thanks to them, we move comfortably, carry heavy loads, perform all everyday activities and simply live comfortably. However, over time, any joint can become damaged for one reason or another. For older people, diseases of the musculoskeletal system are quite common, because the joints wear out, which causes pain, poor mobility, swelling and inflammation.
Timely elimination of the disease will allow you to forget about the problem for a long time, but if treatment is delayed, the disease will progress until the joint completely fails, and the only treatment option will be surgery with the installation of a prosthesis.
Treatment for each disease depends on the cause of its occurrence. For example, arthrosis often affects joints after injury or insufficient amounts of vitamins in the body. In this case, the patient is prescribed complex treatment, including medication, physical therapy and diet. Proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle are not the main, but significant factors in the treatment process. Vitamins and nutrients that enter the body with food act on the diseased area, and the more a person consumes the necessary foods, the faster he recovers.
One of the most common causes of arthrosis is considered to be overload, so people who are overweight often suffer from this disease. It is this group that is subject to arthrosis of the knee and hip joint, since these parts of the musculoskeletal system bear the greatest load. Therefore, when dieting, it is important not only to eat foods containing substances necessary to maintain cartilage tissue in good condition, but also to lose weight.
Main goals of the diet:
There are a huge number of rules and requirements, following which you can help the body quickly recover and protect itself from arthrosis in the future. As a rule, the diet is prescribed by the attending physician, and it is better not to violate it by making decisions on your own.
In particular, by adhering to the following rules, you can intelligently structure your diet and achieve good results in improving the condition of your joints:
There are a huge number of vitamins that are beneficial for bones, and they are found in completely different foods from which you can build a rich diet:
For a more pleasant taste, you can use spices, mixing them to your liking. However, not all types of seasonings can be used. The use of mild herbal mixtures is allowed.
The disease, which is characterized by chronic inflammatory processes in the joints, requires increased attention of the patient during the treatment process. All medications and procedures prescribed by doctors must be taken and carried out on time, and a balanced diet will help you recover quickly and forget about the problem for a long time.
The correct diet is prescribed by a doctor depending on the individual reaction of the body to certain vitamins, medications and exercises. Important aspects when prescribing are the degree of damage to the joint, the form of the disease, and the presence of associated problems. Therefore, there is no single diet - it is individual for each case.
However, there are rules that must be followed in all cases:
Firstly, you should immediately exclude spicy and salty foods, animal fats, baked goods, including bread, fatty animal and poultry meats. In addition, you should avoid all types of canned food, fish, meat, pickles and marinades. Meat and fish products should also be absent from sauces and broths. It is forbidden to drink strong tea and black coffee, chocolate, honey, ice cream, and offal. Fatty dairy products and eggs are also contraindicated.
Doctors recommend eating fresh vegetables and fruits, foods containing vitamins A, D and E, and calcium. In particular, you can eat the following:
Proper nutrition for arthritis allows you to relieve swelling in the affected area of the musculoskeletal system, avoid complications, improve metabolism, and also protect the body from the emergence of new diseases - arthrosis and osteoporosis.
Contents of this article ????
Arthritis of the fingers is a severe progressive disease that leads to disability if not properly treated. This disease is by no means limited to older people - the joint-disfiguring progression of the inflammatory process can begin in people of any age.
As with any other disease, in order to achieve a good effect and completely get rid of arthritis of the fingers, you need to start fighting it as early as possible. That is why treatment of this disease must be carried out quickly, efficiently and, most importantly, on time.
Why does arthritis of the fingers occur, and what is it? Generally speaking, arthritis is an inflammation of the joints of the human body. Absolutely any joints can become inflamed, however, most often it manifests itself in some small joints. For example, this is a common disease of the joints of the toes and hands. For the most part, arthritis is a female disease. According to statistics, men experience this disease two or even three times less often than women.
The main characteristic of any arthritis is inflammation of certain organs. The reasons for its appearance may be several factors, and depending on this, arthritis of the joints of the fingers can be of the following types:
Determining the type of arthritis of the hands is the most important task, since all types have the same first signs, but the treatment for each of them can differ significantly.
The causes of arthritis in the fingers can be different, but the symptoms are similar in many cases (see photo). This is the appearance of swelling, puffiness. The skin takes on a purplish hue, and weakness appears in the hands. Sometimes the temperature rises.
Let us list the first and main signs of arthritis of the fingers:
If the lesion was caused by infectious arthritis, complications in the form of purulent inflammation may occur. In this case, the general condition of the body also sometimes worsens (increased body temperature, malaise, weak appetite).
Depending on what is the cause of arthritis of the fingers, treatment is selected individually.
In the case of gout, our actions are aimed at normalizing purine metabolism and reducing the concentration of uric acid in the blood, and uricosuric and uricodepressive drugs and diet will help with this. In rheumatoid arthritis, all our efforts are aimed at modulating the immune response, and we use immunosuppressants, cytostatics and newer treatments such as monoclonal antibody therapy.
The leading role in the treatment of arthritis, especially of rheumatoid origin, belongs to basic anti-inflammatory drugs, which are prescribed for long-term use (minimum 3 months, maximum lifelong). Medicines in this group are able to suppress the activity of immunosuppressive cells and stop the pathological process, maintaining their effect for a long time after drug withdrawal.
To treat arthritis during the remission period, methods such as:
In an advanced stage, arthritis of the fingers is practically not amenable to drug treatment. An alternative is to install a prosthetic joint through surgery.
It is acceptable, in combination with medications and other procedures, to treat arthritis of the fingers with folk remedies: home-made ointments, compresses, infusions and decoctions of herbs, baths. Naturally, the chosen methods must be agreed upon with the attending physician.
All folk remedies can only be used as a preventive and temporary measure. To avoid unpleasant consequences in the early stages of the development of arthritis in the joint tissues of the fingers, you should seek specialized help.
In order not to waste time, effort and money on treating this difficult disease, follow the following preventive measures:
You also need to enrich your diet with vitamin E. You should remember that you should not lift weights or overexert yourself, but you need to do exercises every day, swim and stretch.