Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is a complex systemic disease, the characteristic feature of which is inflammatory damage to the joints. The whole severity of the pathology lies in the fact that the patient has a high chance of receiving lifelong disability. In adults, this pathology occurs in a different form.
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So, the disease develops in children under 16 years of age, which is why it has this name. Among all diseases of the musculoskeletal system, it occupies one of the first places. Although, in general, there are only 1% of children in the world with such skeletal damage. This pathology mainly provokes irreversible consequences not only in the joints, but also in the internal organs.
The disease is autoimmune in nature, so treatment is lifelong. It is impossible to completely get rid of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Experts also cannot yet determine the exact cause of its occurrence. However, we can already say what factors provoke its exacerbation.
It should be noted that the disease is more often diagnosed in girls. In addition, the later it begins to develop, the more difficult it is to treat.
The disease provokes humoral immunity. The fact is that pathological changes occur in the synovial membrane of the joint, as a result of which blood microcirculation is disrupted, as well as the gradual destruction of hard tissues. In this case, altered immunoglobulins are produced in the affected joints.
In this case, the defense system begins to intensively produce antibodies, which attack the body’s own tissues. Because of this, an inflammatory process begins to develop, which is almost impossible to eliminate. It is chronic and is constantly supported by the immune system.
Through the circulatory and lymphatic systems, antigens spread throughout the body, affecting other structures.
Adolescent or juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is a very complex and dangerous disease. In adults it may develop more slowly. Treatment of the pathology should begin immediately - immediately after the patient’s symptoms are described and differential diagnosis is carried out.
Naturally, you should also consider what types of diseases exist:
By type of lesion:
According to the distribution of the lesion:
By rate of progression:
Learn more about the disease from this video:
According to immunological characteristics:
According to the nature of the flow:
As you can see, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis can manifest itself in different ways. However, in any case, its treatment is necessary, complex and lifelong.
Despite the fact that the exact causes of this disease have not yet been established, it is possible to determine the factors that can trigger the pathological mechanism:
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis manifests itself in different ways. It all depends on its type. The following symptoms of this joint disease can be identified:
These symptoms are basic and common to all forms of pathology. However, each type of disease is characterized by additional signs:
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Reactive juvenile arthritis manifests itself as follows:
Subacute juvenile arthritis in children has the following clinical signs:
Oligoarticular juvenile arthritis has the following clinical symptoms:
In addition, rheumatoid juvenile arthritis is accompanied by severe muscle weakness, anemia and pale skin. The systemic type of the disease is particularly dangerous.
First of all, the main rule is that the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis in children of this type should be differential. So, in order to determine the disease, the following research methods are necessary:
Since juvenile chronic arthritis has nonspecific symptoms, only differential diagnosis can determine it. The effectiveness of treatment largely depends on its quality.
About the features of treating the disease without pills, see the video below:
Rheumatoid juvenile idiopathic arthritis is a complex disease that requires an integrated approach. That is, the therapy is designed not only to relieve pain and manifestations of the inflammatory reaction of the joints, but also to minimize the consequences of the pathology.
In addition to the treatment itself, the child needs to be provided with normal motor activity. Naturally, both adults (parents) and children must follow the recommendations of doctors. The child will have to learn to live with this disease. Complete immobilization of joints in children cannot be done, as this will only aggravate their condition and provoke the rapid development of pathology.
That is, the baby needs to move, but in moderation. For example, walking on a flat road, cycling without unnecessary load, and swimming will be useful for him. You can't jump, run or fall. If the phase of exacerbation of rheumatoid arthritis has begun, then the child should try to stay away from direct sunlight and also not get too cold.
The basis of treatment is drug therapy:
Chronic rheumatoid arthritis (oligoarticular or pauciarticular) can also be treated using non-drug methods:
In some cases, rheumatoid juvenile chronic arthritis is treated with surgery. The operation is used only as a last resort, when severe changes are observed in the joints that significantly limit its mobility. During the operation, excess growths are removed and a prosthesis is installed.
So, in pediatrics, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is considered one of the most complex and dangerous diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Its prognosis depends on the severity and speed of the pathology. With a mild form of juvenile arthritis, the patient may not have any consequences. However, if the baby’s disease is severe, then changes in the skeleton cannot be avoided.
If in children the diagnosis has confirmed systemic rheumatoid arthritis (juvenile), then the prognosis is extremely unfavorable, since gradually the internal organs will refuse to work. Even if the little patient manages to survive, he will remain disabled forever.
As for the prevention of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, no matter what recommendations a woman follows during pregnancy, they will not always give a positive effect. If rheumatoid arthritis is not congenital, then careful care of the baby can prevent it: absence of injuries, stress, favorable environment for raising the baby.
If symptoms do appear and the diagnosis is confirmed, then treatment cannot be delayed. Only in this case can an adult improve the child’s quality of life.
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The earlier treatment is given, the less likely it is that the patient will need therapy for the rest of his life. The trouble is that it’s important that most people don’t know about this illness, because they make absolutely false claims about it. Experts from the communication agency AG Loyalty have collected the most widespread myths about arthritis.
Arthritis is the collective name for inflammation of the joints. In one of the most widespread and severe forms of this illness, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the immune system attacks the tissues of the joints, causing inflammation, pain, and subsequently leading to their impairment and disability.
Arthritis can occur in any age: its forms affect children (for example, systemic juvenile arthritis). Rheumatoid arthritis occurs in all age groups, and its peak falls in the interval of 30 to 45 years, which coincides with the most active period of working life. Varto means that about 2/3 of patients with RA are unforeseen until the 10th stage of the disease, and there may be manifestations of functional impairment and impairment in everyday life. Women suffer from RA three times more often than men.
The word “arthritis,” which literally means “inflamed swelling,” is often used to describe all rheumatic diseases. However, there are more than 200 rheumatic illnesses. For example, one of the most widespread is rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic, autoimmune disease that affects 0.5 to 1% of the world's population. RA is included in the group of autoimmune diseases, and requires treatment against non-inflammatory diseases of the joints - various variants of arthrosis (osteoarthrosis). There are also other types of arthritis, and each of them has its own specificity (for example, reactive arthritis, psoriatic arthritis). Diagnosing arthritis is a good idea, as a rule, by asking a rheumatologist after the patient has been restrained.
For rheumatoid arthritis, in addition to pain, symptoms such as swelling of the joints, looseness in the joints, and tightness are characteristic. It is important to note that RA is a systemic disease, so that the disease affects not only the tissues, but many organs and systems. Systemic manifestations include anemia, fatigue, osteoporosis, disorders of the cardiovascular system. These have a negative impact on the prognosis of illness and the triviality of life for patients with RA.
Possible causes of various types of arthritis are injuries, slackness, hormonal imbalances, infections, allergies, as well as unidentified causes (in cases of autoimmune types of arthritis). All this can be done with the trigger to get sick. The underlying cause of RA is a malfunction of the immune system. The cells of the immune system are activated and vibrate special regulatory proteins – cytokines – which stimulate inflammation and soothe the damaged tissue of the joints, cystic tissue, and flow into many organs and systems.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a serious autoimmune disease, although it can develop step by step, which suggests that self-administered methods (herbal treatment and other folk methods, increased physical exercise for the “growing up” of the b) give a celebratory action. In fact, a key role in treating RA is played by prompt referral to a doctor and, if necessary, drug therapy. All other methods of treatment (non-drug) are additional and can only be taken after consultation with a doctor.
Treatment of patients must be carried out by a rheumatologist (with the exception of a doctor in outside practice, or with the advisory support of a rheumatologist) from the findings of physicians of other medical specialties (orthopedists, physicians) Researchers in modern medicine, cardiologists, neuropathologists, psychologists, etc. and work closely together doctor and patient. Early diagnosis and timely initiation of drug therapy lead to remissions and reduced rates of disability
Joint diseases, including arthrosis and arthritis, are widespread; each of these pathologies has its own characteristics, treatment methods and characteristic differences, which will be discussed in detail in highly specialized articles on our website.
Joint diseases can be classified into the following large groups:
Arthritis and arthrosis are diseases that affect the joints; precisely because of the similarity of the names, many patients do not see the difference between these two completely different problems:
Of course, as in any other cases, with arthrosis and arthritis there are a number of exceptions that arise due to the characteristics of the body, a person’s lifestyle, or certain factors unique to only one patient. Symptoms of arthritis can also appear in a patient after 60 years of age if he has suffered a severe form of influenza, stress, or the body has been subjected to severe hypothermia. Also, arthrosis up to 40 years of age can occur in a person after a serious injury to the joint with severe damage to its internal structures. Let's look at the difference between arthritis and arthrosis. With arthritis, severe pain appears in the joint, it swells and turns red. Severe pain does not go away even in a state of complete rest, sometimes intensifies at night. This is due to the introduction of an infection into the body or due to pathologies of the immune system, which “suddenly” directs all its protective forces against its own cells. Sometimes arthritis occurs with a serious general metabolic disorder. In addition, with arthritis, changes spread to all systems and organs, most often the “blow” is delivered to the liver, kidneys and heart, so complications from arthritis cause serious damage to the general condition of the patient’s body. Arthritis and arthrosis have various symptoms and manifestations, allowing the doctor to make a correct diagnosis.
It is characterized by:
It occurs during movement, but as soon as the person stops the load, lies down, choosing a comfortable position for the legs and arms, the pain goes away and returns with a new load. However, with stage 3 arthrosis, the pain begins to “gnaw” at the patient even at rest, this is explained by impaired blood supply, the joints “ache” and the change in weather. Dry heat and warming ointments can relieve discomfort.
The second important “arthrosis” symptom is a rough and “dry” sound of friction of the articular surfaces. This should not be confused with a harmless “clicking” of joints that is not accompanied by pain;
A decrease in the range of motion is the third most important symptom of arthrosis, most pronounced in stages 2-3, which is associated with the development of “spikes”, a decrease in the joint space and muscle spasm;
Which doctor treats arthrosis if the joint begins to take an unnatural shape? The question is relevant for the patient, especially in the outback, where there are no other specialists besides the local therapist. If there is deformation of the joint, the growth of osteophytes, or the accumulation of fluid in the joint cavity (synovitis), consultation with a rheumatologist is necessary, but with serious changes, the help of a surgeon or orthopedist will be required.
It is characterized by:
At the first “inconvenience” in the joints, the patient asks a reasonable question: which doctor treats arthritis? If there are signs of inflammation in the joints, you should consult a rheumatologist, but be prepared to be examined by a variety of doctors.
The difference between arthrosis and arthritis can be determined by a thorough diagnosis, which includes:
Treatment of joint diseases can be divided into several groups:
In the treatment of arthrosis and arthritis, drugs are prescribed: NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, corticosteroids. They help relieve pain and relieve inflammation. Local treatment consists of the use of warming and anti-inflammatory ointments and compresses. Sometimes intra-articular injections are indicated (block method). Warming methods of physiotherapeutic treatment relieve the feeling of stiffness in joints due to arthritis-arthrosis. Various electrical stimulation techniques are used; ultrasonic micromassage of damaged joint tissues can improve blood supply to joint tissues and restore metabolism. With arthritis and arthrosis, the joints should not be deprived of stress. However, only the attending physician can prescribe a complex of exercise therapy suitable for a particular patient, taking into account the characteristics of the joint pathology. Manual therapy is designed to improve trophic processes in tissues and reduce the development of degenerative changes in the structure of the joint. Folk remedies can be used at home, but only at the very beginning of the development of the pathological process; they help relieve inflammation, relieve pain and help improve blood circulation. Surgical intervention is indicated for advanced cases of arthritis and arthrosis, when there is a risk of developing complete contracture. Surgery itself is an aggressive method that has a number of side effects, which is why it is important to treat arthrosis and arthritis, as well as other joint diseases, at the very beginning of the development of the pathological process.
The diet for arthritis and arthrosis has a main unifying point - the diet should be low in calories. Losing weight will help reduce the load on sore joints, eliminate the development of exacerbations and irreversible degenerative processes. There is no universal diet for arthritis and arthrosis; each diet is selected individually by the doctor, taking into account the characteristics and type of the disease. The treating specialist has a list of products that can improve or, conversely, aggravate the pathological course of joint diseases. It is important to remember that following a diet for arthritis and arthrosis is a prerequisite; in some cases, the diet prescribed by the doctor is followed throughout life; the slightest deviation and indulgences in nutrition can nullify all efforts and provoke a new exacerbation.
The information on the site is provided for informational purposes only. Do not self-medicate. At the first sign of disease, consult a doctor.
Arthrosis is a serious joint disease characterized by thinning of cartilage tissue, damage to the subchondral bone, synovial fluid and, as a result, adjacent muscles. Along with the name “arthrosis”, the words “osteoarthrosis”, “deforming arthrosis” or “arthrosis of the joints” are often used, referring to the same disease. We will adhere to this accepted terminology.
The fight against arthrosis includes traditional and official medicine, physiotherapy, exercise therapy and proper nutrition. On the site we will deal with all types of arthrosis and methods of their treatment. Let's look at the symptoms and stages of the disease, and tell you about the necessary measures to prevent it.
Osteoarthritis has many similar symptoms to arthritis and polyarthritis, but it is not an inflammatory disease, but arthritis often leads to arthrosis, in which case they speak of osteoarthritis. Doctors name four main symptoms:
Pain in the joint is one of the most important signs that require consulting a doctor. Pain begins to occur when moving. This can be walking, jumping - a patient with knee and hip arthrosis will immediately feel sharp pain while moving. When bending the body, stretching, or turning the head, a person with cervical and shoulder arthrosis will also experience severe discomfort.
But as soon as a person takes a passive position, stopping movements, the pain soon goes away. This distinguishes arthritic pain from arthritic pain.
The second significant symptom characterizing osteoarthritis is joint crunching. It occurs due to friction of bone surfaces, the softness of rotation of which is reduced by deformation of the elasticity of the cartilaginous apparatus. A healthy joint can also crunch, but arthritic crunching is distinguished by its “dry” sound, which is different from the harmless clicking of a healthy person. The more severe the stage of osteoarthritis, the more pronounced the crunching in the joints.
Crunching in the joints with arthrosis is always accompanied by pain, and this also distinguishes it from the usual crunching of the joints.
The next symptom characteristic of all types of arthrosis is a reduction in the range of motion in the affected joints. Of course, at the first stage of osteoarthritis, such a reason is not immediately noticeable, but with the deterioration of the cartilage and ligamentous apparatus, the amplitude of movements decreases so much that a sick person sometimes cannot move his leg if, for example, he has coxarthrosis.
Changes in the appearance of joints occur in the later stages of the disease. The deformation occurs due to the formation of osteophytes on the surface of the bones, due to excess synovial fluid, causing some swelling of the bones. Also, deformation of the joints occurs due to changes in the condition at the joints of the bones.
Modern medicine identifies the following causes of arthrosis:
Injury by a person to his joints has a very negative effect on their structure and is the most important reason in the development of osteoarthritis. Dysplasia is a congenital abnormality in the structure of bones. Inflammation in the body threatens to damage the joint apparatus.
People at risk include:
There are three degrees of osteoarthritis. The first degree is the mildest, characterized by the occurrence of minor pain due to deterioration in the quality of synovial fluid. The hyaline cartilage is slightly destroyed.
At the second stage, a serious thinning of the cartilage tissue occurs, and the joint fluid loses its properties. Osteophytes appear along the edges of the joint surface, causing acute pain.
At the last stage, the x-ray shows a terrible picture. The cartilaginous tissue has practically disappeared, the bone is covered with continuous spike-like growths (osteophytes). The axis of the limb is deformed due to weakening of the ligamentous apparatus, redistribution of the load on the joint. Muscles are significantly shortened or stretched.
Treatment involves a whole range of measures aimed at reducing pain, relieving inflammation in joints, restoring cartilage tissue, strengthening the muscle corset and ligaments.
The most common method is medication prescribed by a doctor. There are various drugs aimed at relieving pain and spasms. There is a group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which bring the fastest effect, but have a wide range of side effects.
A good alternative is the use of chondroprotectors aimed at restoring cartilage tissue. Chondroprotectors are made from natural materials similar in structure to human cartilage. The negative impact on the body is minimal.
Traditional treatment involves many different methods in the fight against arthrosis. This treatment does not bring a quick visible effect, but long courses (several months) have the most positive effect on the affected joint. Popular folk remedies are cinquefoil, burdock, and cabbage plants, which are especially effective in the treatment of arthrosis diseases.
Physiotherapy methods include heating, compresses, cryotherapy, hirudotherapy, magnet treatment and other methods.
In the most severe cases, joint replacement is used. Surgery is aimed at replacing the diseased joint with an artificial one. These operations are very expensive, and the operating period is 10-15 years.
Preventative measures are the most important factor in reducing this notorious disease. The main measures to prevent the development of osteoarthritis are:
Excess weight is a scourge for our joints. It has long been known that the greater a person’s weight, the greater the load placed on the joints. The modern way of life has given rise to a disease unknown in past centuries - physical inactivity. A sedentary lifestyle negatively affects blood circulation in the body, weakening muscles and, ultimately, the condition of bones, ligaments and cartilage.
Nutrition is another important building block in laying the foundation of our health. If earlier proper nutrition was not on the agenda, then with the development of the food industry, which massively uses chemicals in products, the question of what healthy food to choose became acute.
The general principles of a healthy lifestyle are also applicable in the prevention of arthrosis. Of course, smoking, alcohol abuse, lack of sleep, and overeating have a detrimental effect on the body as a whole, which ultimately affects the health of our bones.
Deforming osteoarthritis is an insidious disease, the result of which is severe excruciating pain and limited mobility in the joints. The treatment is long and difficult, but a modern integrated approach allows you to get rid of a serious illness.
Arthritis - illness is one of the leading causes of disability. Drugs and treatment methods that have appeared in recent years can help reverse this situation, and allow for timely diagnosis.
The earlier the treatment is given, the less likely it is that the sick person will need therapy for the rest of his life. The trouble is that it’s important that most people don’t know about this illness, because they make absolutely false claims about it. Experts from the communication agency AG Loyalty have collected the most widespread myths about arthritis.
Arthritis is the collective name for inflammation of the joints. In one of the most widespread and severe forms of this illness, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the immune system attacks the tissues of the joints, causing inflammation, pain, and subsequently leading to their impairment and disability. According to official data, at least 300 thousand patients with rheumatoid arthritis are registered in Russia.
Arthritis can occur in any age: its forms affect children (for example, systemic juvenile arthritis). Rheumatoid arthritis occurs in all age groups, and its peak falls in the interval of 30 to 45 years, which coincides with the most active period of working life. Varto means that about 2/3 of patients with RA are unforeseen until the 10th stage of illness, and there may be manifestations of functional impairment and impairment in everyday life. Women suffer from RA three times more often than men.
The word “arthritis,” which literally means “inflamed swelling,” is often used to describe all rheumatic diseases. However, there are more than 200 rheumatic illnesses. For example, one of the most widespread is rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic, disabling, autoimmune disease that affects 0.5 to 1% of the world's population. RA is included in the group of autoimmune diseases, and needs to be treated against non-inflammatory illnesses - various types of arthrosis (osteoarthrosis). There are also other types of arthritis, and each of them has its own specificity (for example, reactive arthritis, psoriatic arthritis). Diagnosing arthritis is difficult, as a rule, it requires a rheumatologist to confine the patient.
For rheumatoid arthritis, in addition to pain, symptoms such as swelling of the joints, looseness in the joints, and tightness are characteristic. It is important to note that RA is associated with systemic illnesses, so that the illness affects not only the joints, but many organs and systems. Systemic manifestations include anemia, fatigue, osteoporosis, disorders of the cardiovascular system. These have a negative impact on the prognosis of illness and the triviality of life for patients with RA.
Treatment of patients must be carried out by a rheumatologist (with the exception of a doctor in outside practice, or with the advisory support of a rheumatologist) from the findings of physicians of other medical specialties (orthopedists, scientists in modern medicine, cardiologists, neuropathologists, psychologists, etc. and work closely together doctor and patient. Early diagnosis and timely administration of drug therapy lead to remissions and a decrease in the incidence of disability.
These are the names of these illnesses, as well as the accompanying symptoms, the pathological process and treatment vary.
With arthrosis and arthritis, tension in the joints occurs. If arthrosis only covers sore spots, then arthritis transmits the signs of inflammation to the entire body. Possible causes of inflammation are infections, disruption of the immune system or metabolism of speech, so with arthritis, internal organs often suffer.
Osteoarthritis and arthritis are differentiated by the nature of pain and discomfort during pain, associated symptoms and age of patients.
Arthrosis (the correct name is osteoarthritis) is a chronic disease of the joints, which causes their permanent deformation. This is caused by damage to the cartilaginous tissue of the pubic surfaces.
Symptoms of arthrosis include severe pain in the joint and decreased dexterity. In severe weather conditions, the soil becomes indestructible.
Most often, arthrosis develops in people 45 years of age and older, although it occurs more often in younger people. The development of arthrosis occurs more in older women and people with congenital diseases of the cysts and tendons (genetic factor), as well as those who have excess weight or have undergone surgery on the cysts, injuries of the tendons (additional factor). Arthrosis can be primary or secondary. In the first stage of the disease, there is a disruption of the regeneration processes of cartilage cells, caused by rotten blood flow and the destruction of cartilage tissue. Secondary arthrosis develops in a previously damaged joint (for example, if the joint has suffered through trauma). With arthrosis, inflammation in the joints may occur later and be unstable.
According to statistics, 10-15% of the world's inhabitants suffer from arthrosis.
Arthritis is the name given to a group of illnesses in the surrounding area. Arthritis is an inflammatory process in the joints, which can be traumatic, infectious or dystrophic.
Arthritis is accompanied by pain in the neck (especially during the hour of collapse), possibly resulting in weakness. Often the lump swells, changes shape, and the skin above the lump is red. However, the ignition process in the swellings of arthritis results in ignition of the entire body. Therefore, with arthritis, the liver, heart, and neck often suffer.
As a rule, illness begins in women up to 40 years of age. About 2% of people in the world suffer from arthritis.
Let's take a look at how to show symptoms of swelling of the joints with arthrosis and arthritis.
Bil . With arthrosis, pain usually appears only during collapse and severe pressure. At first, he is not very strong, so people often do not give a damn about anything that makes him sick. In the world, the development of arthrosis most often manifests itself with little pressure and usually becomes calm, but then subsides as the person takes a more restrained position.
Khruskit . This symptom is characteristic of arthrosis. The wine comes out through the ruining of the cartilaginous surface and rubbing the brushes. Crunch is accompanied by a specific sound – rough and dry. This sound becomes the strongest in the world for the development of arthrosis.
Reduced fluffiness of the dribble . As a result of arthrosis, it changes the amplitude of the arms. For arthritis, the joints or the entire body.
Deformation of the subglob . With arthrosis, the joint becomes progressively deformed. In case of congestion, swelling may occur, which is accompanied by no pain. With arthritis of inflammation, the joint also becomes deformed, but this results in swelling and redness, when pressed, a hot pain is felt, and welts may appear. The place is on fire and hotter.
Blood test indicators . As a rule, arthrosis does not show signs of clinical blood analysis. And with arthritis, the cervical spine actually moves. A decrease in the number of leukocytes indicates the presence of an infectious-ignition process in the body.
In arthritis, a biochemical blood test demonstrates shifts in markers of inflammation, and in arthrosis, these indicators are lost to normal.
Localization . Most often, arthrosis affects the knees and hip joints, and the joints of the great toes. The most commonly affected areas are the ankle joints and the joints of the fingers of the upper phalanges.
Twisted hands are one of the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Swelling and burning of the joints at the base of the fingers may indicate rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis. The most obvious sign of arthritis is the burning of one, and especially two, promenopausal joints.
Other possible signs of arthritis are redness and swelling of at least one finger on the hand and nose; The pain is strongest in the big toes, knees and ankles, which is accompanied by swelling and bruising, develops and develops in a raptomatic manner, and then repeats.
In addition, infectious arthritis is often accompanied by symptoms of infectious disease. The temperature rises, weakness, chills or excessive sweating occur, and the whole body ache.
When healing and getting sick, different approaches are used. For arthrosis, painkillers and hormonal medications, vicoristic methods of physiotherapy, massage, and physical exercises are prescribed. In severe cases of arthrosis, medications are prescribed instead of glucosamine sulfate or surgical treatment is performed.
Treatment for arthritis lies in the form of illness. It is necessary to avoid supernatural physical obsessions, improper eating, and not indulge in alcohol. When treating arthritis, antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used and injected into the joints. The effectiveness of treatment is enhanced by physiotherapeutic procedures and physical exercises.
According to doctors, rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most common inflammatory joint diseases. What do you need to know about this disease in order to sound the alarm in time and not get yourself into trouble?
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the connective tissue of the joints, with frequent involvement of internal organs in the pathological process. Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common chronic inflammation of the joints.
Women get sick three times more often than men. The disease most often begins at the age of 30-50, and the average age of patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis is 58 years. Mortality in this group of patients is 27%. This shows that the effectiveness of treatment of the disease is at an extremely low level, and the prognosis of the disease remains unfavorable. The most important socioeconomic effect of RA is disability.
Working capacity can be impaired already in the early stages, and its decline becomes a constant problem; it occurs in 27% of patients in the first 3 years from the onset of RA and in more than 85% with a disease duration of 8 to 11 years.
The causes of rheumatoid arthritis are still not well known. In recent years, many experts have been leaning towards the viral theory of the occurrence of rheumatoid arthritis. It is believed that the disease is caused by a hitherto unidentified virus, the action of which leads to disruptions in the immune system and the development of immunopathological reactions. The consequence of these complex processes is the aggression of the immune system against the cells of its own body.
Factors predisposing to the development of rheumatoid arthritis include genetic predisposition, age over 40 years, female gender, previous allergic skin diseases and nasopharyngeal infections.
How does rheumatoid arthritis manifest?
The most typical gradual, slow development of the disease (the so-called classic variant of the course). Pain, a feeling of stiffness and swelling of the joints appear, more often in the second half of the night and in the morning. Characteristic is a feeling of stiffness in the joints, more pronounced in the morning. From the very beginning of the disease, symmetry of joint damage is characteristic. Rheumatoid arthritis is also characterized by early damage to the interphalangeal joints.
In approximately 10% of patients, rheumatoid arthritis begins and lasts for a long time in the form of damage to one or more joints, mainly large ones. Most often these are the knee and wrist joints, less often the elbow and ankle joints. It is not uncommon for such patients to find round-shaped subcutaneous nodules near the joints, up to 2-3 cm in diameter. The nodules have a dense consistency, are painless and often mobile.
As the disease progresses, internal organs are also affected (up to 60% of cases). Most often, the kidneys “suffer,” which determines the further course and outcome of the disease.
In a small proportion of patients, RA may begin acutely. High “unreasonable” fever with chills is the first and most pronounced symptom of this variant of the disease.
Currently, rheumatologists identify several more clinical variants of the course, but juvenile rheumatoid arthritis deserves special attention. It develops more often in girls under 6 years of age. It usually begins acutely, with damage to large joints, eyes and the presence of skin rashes.
Taking into account the fact that the disease is chronic, and the triggering factor in the occurrence of this disease is unknown, the prevention and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, despite the variety of drugs and the high professionalism of our rheumatologists, remains a difficult task. If the symptoms described above occur, you should not immediately rush to see a rheumatologist; contact your local physician.
After ordering a series of laboratory tests and possibly x-rays, if necessary, you will be referred to a rheumatologist. He, in turn, having determined the degree of activity of the process, will decide whether to treat you as an inpatient or outpatient.
The first thing your doctor will prescribe for you, if there are no contraindications, is non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - indomethacin, ortofen, voltaren, naproxen, ibuprofen, etc. They are relatively inexpensive and can be found in any pharmacy.
It must be remembered that when using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, the development of gastropathy, a specific syndrome characterized by damage to the gastric mucosa (hemorrhage, erosion, ulcers), is possible.
Risk factors for developing gastropathy:
If inflammation in one or more large joints is pronounced, you will most likely be offered to inject corticosteroid hormones (hydrocortisone, metipred, kenologist) directly into the joint. You can refuse this procedure, as well as any other. The most effective and frequently used drugs in the treatment of RA are gold salts. Although, even with these rather expensive drugs, there is no need to expect a miracle. The therapeutic effect appears 3-4 months after the start of treatment, and after discontinuation of the drug there is a high probability that the therapeutic effect will disappear. Therefore, the drugs must be taken constantly.
Today, laser therapy, x-ray therapy and local radionuclide therapy (a radioactive drug is injected into the joint), remote local telegammatherapy (external irradiation of the synovial lining of the joint) and surgical treatment of the affected joint are used.
If there are indications and a certain number of banknotes, all these treatment methods are available in Petrozavodsk. It should also be noted that treatment “at home” will not be much different from “in the capital”, except perhaps in cost.
Outside of an exacerbation, daily physical exercise is necessary to maintain joint mobility. Depending on the degree of dysfunction, this may include special complexes of therapeutic exercises, walking or swimming. Warm baths and hydrotherapy are useful.
The selection of a set of physical exercises and physical therapy are carried out by specialists. In especially difficult cases, they give recommendations on how to organize work and life.
There is no diet that prevents the progression of rheumatoid arthritis. Nutrition should be complete and balanced, overeating should be avoided.
Joint changes characteristic of RA were found in Egyptian mummies (2600 BC). Rubens' paintings depict people with rheumatoid lesions on the hands (1577-1640).
The average cost of hospitalization for one patient with rheumatoid arthritis during an exacerbation of the disease in the United States is about 4 thousand dollars. The cost of outpatient care per patient per year is about $2,000.
Based on materials from the article by Yuri Ermakov “Rheumatoid Arthritis”.