When you think of rheumatoid arthritis, also known as RA, you think of throbbing joints and limited mobility, unexplained pain, and incurable aches. But what exactly is rheumatoid arthritis? The Arthritis Foundation defines it as an autoimmune disease. Ultimately, doctors and scientists aren’t sure what the ultimate cause of rheumatoid arthritis is; however, they know that it is related to the immune system in one way or another. When the immune system is not working properly, it can accidentally attack the joints causing swelling, pain and immobility. The joints this commonly affects are the smaller joints in the hands, feet, wrists, and ankles.

Is rheumatoid arthritis genetic?

Right now, scientists are studying the DNA markers that indicate whether or not you will develop RA, but there simply isn’t enough research to have a definitive answer. Most doctors recommend that if you have a parent or grandparent who has suffered from rheumatoid arthritis, you should take preventive measures such as not smoking or eating a diet high in healthy Omega fatty acids. While it’s not a guarantee that you’ll get RA because of your family history, taking these steps can help prevent rheumatoid arthritis and manage RA symptoms.

What are the early signs of rheumatoid arthritis?

Signs of rheumatoid arthritis early in the disease can include pain and tenderness. However, there may be an absence of the typical redness and swelling during this early stage that usually appears as the disease progresses. The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis can include:

Board Bread –

This can include morning stiffness for thirty minutes or more. It can affect the same joints on both sides of the body, often the small joints of the hands and wrists, with more than one joint affected.

Tired –

Many people may experience a loss of energy or feel unusually tired for no reason.

Loss of appetite –

Ongoing inflammation can make a person less hungry or experience nausea.

Low grade fever –

The inflammation can also cause a mild fever within the body, as the immune system fights off the non-existent bacteria. This low-grade fever can cause headaches and some body aches.

How long do RA flare-ups last?

Knowing how long you will have to experience the symptoms will help you manage the pain. The length of an RA flare depends on the type of treatment and how quickly you start treatment. If the outbreaks are not treated, they can last for weeks or even months. Addressing an RA flare-up immediately can significantly reduce the duration, from weeks to days. Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is key to relieving symptoms of pain and distress.

How do you calm arthritis?

One of the first ways to combat RA symptoms is to prepare yourself mentally: know what to expect, what you just learned. Next, you need to know what you can do about it. Holistic rheumatoid arthritis treatments include:

Physical therapy –

See a physical therapist who can assign you certain exercises and activities that will help strengthen your body and muscles, which in turn will help alleviate joint pain.

Natural medicine –

Natural therapies such as hot and cold therapy can help relieve RA swelling and pain. In addition to these, magnet treatments have been used as a way to relieve osteoarthritis pain and could be useful for the treatment of RA. Meditation has also been tested and found to be helpful with RA symptoms and stress. By relaxing the mind, you relax the body and thus you move away from pain and discomfort.

Changes in food and diet –

There are some foods and supplements that are suspected of helping with RA symptoms. One of the best supplements to take is fish oil. The Omega-3 fatty acid in fish oil helps lubricate joints and relieve RA pain. Also, eating healthy, whole foods like fish and nuts, which contain Omega-3s, can help reduce swelling and inflammation caused by RA. Emu oil, which is high in Omega-6 and Omega-9 fatty acids, can also reduce inflammation. Emu oil has performed better than fish oil in reducing the effects of inflammation according to some studies.