Rheumatoid Arthritis: Beyond Joint Pain - The Hidden Effects on Overall Health

Posted on: Mar 20, 2024 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Beyond Joint Pain - The Hidden Effects on Overall Health

Rheumatoid arthritis, popularly known as RA, is a disease that involves inflammation of the joint linings. It can affect a person's physical and mental health, which can include pain, fatigue, or stiffness.

In the earlier stages of this condition, the common symptoms can be tenderness and minor pain. But as the condition progresses, it can spread to other joints, including the ankles, wrists, elbows, and knees. In today's blog, we will cover RA & its management, symptoms, causes, treatments available, and tips to live a healthy life with RA.

RA and Its Management

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. Generally, our immune system fights bacteria and viruses and helps the body stay protected from infections and disease. Rheumatoid arthritis can be affected differently as per age. The most common age when this condition is identified in women is 25 to 45 years. However, it can affect both males and females of all ages.

RA also causes medical problems with the lungs, heart, nerves, eyes, and skin. However, no research has proven why people get affected by RA to date. It's advisable to have individual health insurance to maintain the cost of treatments available for RA.

To manage rheumatoid arthritis, it's equally important to know its symptoms, which are:

• Tenderness & pain in the early stages

• Joint pain, swelling, and stiffness

• Small joints are affected

• Fatigue, fever, and loss of appetite

• Joints on both sides can be affected

• Different joints are affected, etc.

• Morning stiffness, etc

Once you identify the symptoms, you should learn how to manage them. One can manage RA with the following options,

• Self-care - heating pads

• Medication - Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, Immunosuppressive drug, Anti-inflammatory and Steroid.

• Therapy - Physical therapy

• Surgery - joint replacement or arthroplasty

Living with RA

Living with rheumatoid arthritis can be challenging at times. It's important to manage RA with poise and the disease with self-care and love. Many people lead a healthy and happy life with RA. But you need to take it as a life challenge. However, since RA is a progressive disease, it is important to take medical help. It is also possible for the symptoms of RA to get worse with time without medical treatment.

Treatment Available for RA

Even when there is no cure available for rheumatoid arthritis, there are treatments available to prevent it. Early treatment, medications, lifestyle changes, support groups, and surgeries can help to reduce the risk of joint pain, stiffness, fatigue, and redness. Physical therapy helps with joint pain and stress.

Some medications commonly used to treat RA are:

• Biologics

• Disease: modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)

• NSAIDs: for active pain and inflammation

• Corticosteroids: help with inflammation and immune system

To recover the costs of these medications and treatments, it's important to have health insurance.

Tips to Live A Healthy Life with RA.

People with RA can lead a healthy and active lifestyle by managing their symptoms and to manage the symptoms, we have a few tips to make it easier for you.

• Exercise

Joint pain and stiffness can irritate your body, and that's when exercise comes into the picture. Some of the prominent exercises can include stretching, strengthening, and low-impact aerobic exercises like walking, bike riding, swimming, etc. Patients can also go for treadmill running or stationary bikes.

• Physical therapy

Physical therapy can not only make you flexible but can also help you with rheumatoid arthritis. Seeing a physical or occupational therapist can help you with daily tasks and strength. Your everyday tasks can include lifting a box, helping protect joints, & home-safe exercises.

• Healthy diet

A healthy diet is always advisable and perfect for a healthy life. A healthy diet helps fight inflammation, which helps fight joint pain. However, there is no perfect research that proves that diet helps with RA.

• Manage weight

Weight management is important as it helps with a healthy lifestyle. Studies suggest nearly 2/3rd people with RA are overweight. Maintaining a healthy weight will help you overcome the symptoms of RA.

• Stress management

Stress management is important for leading a healthy life. Balancing activities, rest, gaps between work, deep breathing, yoga, meditation, and pampering yourself can help with lowering stress. Sharing experiences, talking with people with similar stress, and getting outside support can help.

• Group support

Support groups help with a healthy lifestyle, stress management, and calmness. Reaching out to friends, family, and co-workers can also help. There are a few areas where you might find arthritis programs and connect with other patients. If there's no support group near your area, try going online or to social media support groups.

Bottom Line

Take control of your life with RA by understanding its causes, identifying symptoms like joint tenderness and swelling, and learning about potential side effects on your health. Stick to the tips and effective strategies to manage this invisible disease.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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