Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that negatively impacts the joints through inflammation and causes damage throughout the body. Usually, RA affects both sides of the body, often symmetrically, enabling doctors to distinguish them from other forms of arthritis. There is no cure since it is an autoimmune condition, but you can manage the symptoms. Like most conditions, doctors can treat rheumatoid arthritis better on early diagnosis. Read on to know more.

Causes
Rheumatoid arthritis is a result of the immune system targeting healthy body tissue, though the specific cause and triggers remain a mystery. For whatever reason, the antibodies of the immune system begin attacking the synovial cells lining of the joins. It causes the synovial cells to divide in response, resulting in inflammation. The chemicals resealed in this process cause several casualties – damaging ligaments, cartilage, tendons, and bones.

Symptoms of RA
Like most autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis presents itself with fare-ups, i.e., periods when symptoms manifest, and remissions, i.e., gaps between flare-ups, where symptoms are absent or minimal. Individuals experience symptoms of different severity. However, patients with comorbidities experience severe symptoms. Some signs of RA are pain, swelling, stiffness, and tenderness in one or more joints, usually starting on one side of the body and quickly spreading to both sides. Stiffness in the morning or when moving after sitting down for a while are also common. RA patients also experience fatigue and weakness as symptoms. The immune system causes fevers to increase the efficiency of fighting diseases; however, this backfires in autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.

Treatment for rheumatoid arthritis
There is no cure for RA, but timely treatment can reduce pain and improve quality of life. Lifestyle changes are often required, and there are several home remedies you can try. Typically, a physician will prescribe a combination of treatment options, food regime modifications, physical therapy, counseling, and in severe conditions, surgery as well. Timely treatment can prevent permanent deformation of joints and damage to neighboring organs.

Home remedies
Home remedies to increase remission between rheumatoid arthritis flare-ups are relatively simple. Doctors recommend 8 hours of quality sleep to help with pain and bodily restoration. Regular exercise reduces pain and improves mobility and range of motion. Try gentle exercise routines like yoga or Tai Chi, and start new physical activity under supervision. Brisk walking, swimming, and aerobics are perfect low-impact choices for RA patients. Patients can also try alternating hot and cold packs to reduce inflammation. Also, massages from a trained therapist can be helpful. Essential oils like primrose and lemongrass alleviate rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. Assistive devices like splits and neck collars help stabilize joints and reduce the weight and pressure on the bones and joints. One can also use gels, lotions, and creams to ease the pain.

Meal plans for rheumatoid arthritis
Food is the secret to health, and this is especially true with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. Numerous studies have shown that RA progression slows with food regime changes. You can pile foods rich in anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants like lightly cooked vegetables and fruits onto your plate. Yogurt is beneficial, and you can have it in the form of smoothies. Spices like turmeric and ginger have anti-inflammatory properties and reduce pain and discomfort. Probiotics and probiotic supplements are suitable for RA food regimes. Increase intake of sauerkraut and kimchi to reduce RA flare-ups. Fish oil supplements are full of omega-3 fatty acids have been proved to reduce rheumatoid arthritis disease markers and inflammation markers.