Rheumatoid Arthritis — Symptoms and Causes
Autoimmune-caused chronic inflammation of the joints is rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system incorrectly attacks the tissues of the body. The immune system contains a complicated organization, which usually aims to “seek and destroy” infections of the body. Autoimmune patients have blood antibodies and immune cells targeting their body tissues, where inflammation may be associated. While tissue inflammation and inflammatory arthritis around the joints characterize rheumatoid arthritis, the disease can also result in inflammation and damage in other organs.
How Does It Feel?
When this disease is active in your body, you may get these symptoms –
● Lack of energy
● Loss of appetite
● Low fever
● Stiffness and pain in muscle and joints
People may also experience depression, frustration and become socially inactive; this is when you need to find a rheumatologist in OKC.
Causes
• No one knows what causes a malfunctioning immune system.
• Some people seem to be more susceptible to genetic factors. One theory is that in people with this genetic feature, bacteria or a virus triggers RA.
• The RA attacks the synovium, a smooth lining of the joint with the antibodies of the immune system. Pain and inflammation occur due to this.
• Synovium thickening is caused by inflammation. Finally, untreated, the cartilage — the connective tissue that coats the ends of the bones — can be invaded and destroyed.
• Tendons and ligaments holding the joint may also weaken and stretch. The shape and configuration finally fall away. The loss can be serious.
Symptoms
Rheumatoid Arthritis symptoms are –
● Swelling, pain and stiffness in multiple joints
● Deformities in joint
● Unstable while walking
● A feeling of being unwell
● Fever
● Immobility
● Unexpected weight loss
● Numbness and weakness
Complications
People who are suffering from RA have higher risks of heart problems, obesity, high blood sugar and blood pressure. Joint damage due to RA you can commonly cause issues with daily activities. This unpredictable disease may lead to anxiety, mental disorders, depression, stress and employment problems.
Rheumatologists in OKC also treat other complications –
Carpal tunnel: A type of nerve damage that results from compression and nerve irritation in the wrist. Carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms include aching or weakness in the fingers, thumb and part of the hand along with a tingling feeling in it.
Inflammation: lungs, heart, blood vessels, eyes and other parts of the body may be affected.
Tendon rupture: tendon inflammation, particularly on fingers, may lead to rupture in the tendons.
Cervical myelopathy: The spinal cord pressure can be increased by dislocation of the joints in the neck or the cervical spine. This can lead to lower mobility and movement pain. There’s a greater risk of cervical myelopathy with the progression of RA.
Vasculitis: Inflammation can lead to a weakening, thickening, slimming and scar formation of the blood vessels. This can affect tissue blood flow and organ function.
Infection susceptibility: Colds, the flu, pneumonia and similar are a greater risk, in particular, if the person takes immunosuppressant medications to manage RA. People with RA should be carefully prepared with their vaccinations.
For RA disease come to our rheumatologist in OKC for consultation and treatment at Oklahoma Pain Treatment Center.
