*हिंदी में पढ़ें: रूमेटाइड आर्थराइटिस (RA) के लिए सर्वश्रेष्ठ उपचार विकल्प
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease wherein an individual’s immune system starts attacking their own body. RA differs from the more commonly found Osteoarthritis (OA) in many respects.
However, it may be difficult to diagnose RA in the initial stages. Symptoms such as joint swelling, stiffness, redness, and warmth may be the first indicators. Your doctor might also check for muscle strength and reflexes, among other diagnostic tests including blood and imaging tests (RF, anti-CCP antibodies, ESR, CRP, X-ray, ultrasound, MRI). Once a proper diagnosis has been made, an appropriate course of treatment can be advised.
In this blog, we are going to discuss RA and multiple treatment options that can help manage its symptoms.
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic condition that leads to pain, irritation, swelling, and inflammation in the joints. It can also impact other body parts like eyes, skin, lungs, heart, and blood vessels.
Some common symptoms of RA include:
- Joint pain
- Swelling around affected joints
- Inflammation in or around surrounding tissues
- Joint stiffness (more prominent in mornings or after long periods of rest)
- Recurring fever
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
These symptoms generally affect the same joints on both sides of the body. The pain starts in small joints like fingers, toes, hands, and feet, and can extend to wrists, elbows, ankles, knees, and hips. RA symptoms come and go in episodes known as ‘flares’ and ‘remission’, respectively.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment Options
It is important to understand that there is no permanent cure for RA as it is a chronic autoimmune condition. However, appropriate treatment is necessary to slow down the joint damage caused by the condition.
Some common modes of treatment that can help manage and alleviate symptoms include:
- Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDS): These drugs, as the name suggests, help slow down the joint damage associated with rheumatoid arthritis. DMARDs can also help prevent long-term tissue damage.
- Biologics: These are a newer class of DMARDs that help alleviate symptoms.
- NSAIDs: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – these help reduce swelling, inflammation, stiffness, and pain in the joints.
- Intra-articular injections: These are joint injections administered into the affected joints.
- Stem cell therapy: Recently introduced at Sohana Hospital, Mohali, Stem Cell Therapy is a revolutionary treatment measure that works wonders for degenerative joint disorders. It helps regenerate damaged cartilage, reverses joint damage, and delays the need for joint replacement surgery (in moderate to advanced stages).
- Joint replacement surgery: If none of the above-listed treatment options prove effective or in case of severely damaged/deformed joints, your doctor might suggest a joint replacement surgery. While it may seem like a huge step, surgery can significantly enhance your quality of life by giving you pain-free mobility and improving your range of motion.
💡Note: It is important to understand that while there is a big difference between RA and OA, certain treatments and management strategies may overlap.
In addition to these treatment options, regular follow-up visits with your doctor are a must. This is to monitor the extent of joint damage, the effectiveness of treatment, and for the early identification and addressing of side effects (if any).
Sohana Hospital boasts a team of expert rheumatologists who specialise in all kinds of rheumatic diseases. With advanced diagnostic facilities and world-class treatment options, the hospital aims to provide the highest quality treatment for all kinds of rheumatic diseases.
As one of the few hospitals in Tricity with a dedicated rheumatology department, Sohana Hospital has the best rheumatology specialists – who take pride in their patient-centric treatment approach. Not just that, our experts also utilise intra-departmental coordination for delivering the most personalised treatment plans for every patient.
If you or anyone you know is affected by rheumatoid arthritis, visit Sohana Hospital for the most comprehensive autoimmune disease care in Tricity.