Have you ever heard of the disease "rheumatoid arthritis"? You may have various images of it, such as joint pain and difficulty moving the joints
This time, we will explain the symptoms and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, a disease that can be dangerous if left untreated
table of contents
■What kind of disease is rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease in which chronic inflammation occurs in the synovial membrane that covers the joints due to an abnormal autoimmune response in the body
Inflammation of the synovial membrane leads to chronic joint inflammation, causing pain and swelling in the affected area, and the joint not functioning properly, leading to abnormalities in the physical structure
As a result, it is a frightening disease that restricts daily life and forces people to limit their participation in social activities
It is believed that rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the immune system, which is normally designed to protect the body, malfunctions and becomes aggressive towards the joints, causing pain and inflammation in those areas
Currently, it is a systemic autoimmune disease that is thought to affect approximately 1% of the population in Japan, and is more common in women than in men, with a male-to-female ratio of approximately 1:3
■Why does it occur?
In fact, the exact cause of the disease is still unclear to this day
It is believed to be caused by a complex combination of congenital genetic factors and environmental factors
Genetic factors are involved in about 10% of the causes of the disease, and smoking history is considered an important factor in terms of the risk of developing the disease (environmental causes). In addition, several other factors such as periodontal disease have been cited
Imaging tests mainly involve X-rays, which involve taking actual photographs of the affected limbs to determine whether there are any chips or defects on the bone surface or whether the distance between the bones has narrowed
■Initial symptoms
So what are the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis?
Learn about the early symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis
The main symptoms of commonly known rheumatoid arthritis are "stiffness of the joints," "pain in the joints," and "swelling of the joints." Joint stiffness refers to a state in which the joints do not move as desired, resulting in functional impairment
The joint pain can occur anywhere in the body, but it tends to occur particularly in the joints of the wrists and fingers, and in many cases symptoms are felt in multiple locations
If the condition progresses, it can cause changes such as joint deformation and dislocation, as well as stiffness and difficulty in bending and straightening the joints
Furthermore, if the inflammation becomes severe, it can cause systemic symptoms such as fever, general fatigue, weight loss, and loss of appetite, which can significantly restrict daily life
■Treatment method
Treatments for rheumatoid arthritis include drug therapy and surgical therapy
Each treatment method has its advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of treatment will depend on a multifaceted assessment of factors such as the severity of the condition, whether or not there are any complications, and the degree of inconvenience in terms of how much it is interfering with daily life
- Improving lifestyle habits -
First of all, it is important to understand what rheumatoid arthritis is, and to maintain a regular lifestyle, including a healthy diet, while considering the balance between moderate exercise and rest. It is also important to quit smoking
~Drug therapy~
Drug therapy is the mainstay of rheumatoid arthritis treatment, and is used to suppress inflammation in the joints of rheumatoid arthritis patients and improve symptoms
The primary treatments include anti-rheumatic drugs and biological agents
These biological preparations are new drugs created by improving proteins and other components produced by living organisms
It is said that there are about eight types of biological agents that can be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis
Biological agents are said to be particularly effective in suppressing joint destruction, making it possible to improve and maintain the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis to a milder state
～Surgical therapy～
In some patients, even after undergoing various drug therapies and other treatments, functional impairment due to joint deformity remains as a residual effect, and surgical treatment such as artificial joint replacement or synovectomy may be chosen
Summary
Rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive disease that should not be ignored once the initial symptoms are noticed
In general, it has been found that destructive changes in the joints of rheumatoid arthritis progress rapidly, generally within two years of onset
Once destroyed, cartilage and bone joints cannot be restored to their normal state, and daily life may be restricted, so early diagnosis and treatment are extremely important
If you experience any discomfort in your joints, consult a specialist medical institution as soon as possible
Supervision: Dr. Yasushi Tsuda