Everything you need to know about rheumatoid arthritis

Pain is inevitable, and every one of us would have felt pain in some part of the body due to several reasons. When the pain is acute and not prolonged, it does not bother you much. However, when the pain remains with you all day long, it becomes a cause of worry.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a common health issue that results in body pain due to damage to the joints.

Understanding the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term chronic disease, which causes side effects, such as pain, swelling, and inflammation in the joints along with the loss of joint function. These symptoms are intense during periods known as flares; however, during periods of remission, the symptoms reduce completely.

Diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis
Diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis can take some time, and it may require numerous laboratory tests for confirming the findings of the clinical examination. A single test cannot determine whether the patient is suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Hence, one is advised to undergo blood tests for certain substances, to determine the level of acute phase reactants. Also, imaging tests such as X-ray and magnetic resonance help understand the damage and the severity of damage.

Different types of blood tests can determine whether you have rheumatoid arthritis. For instance, rheumatoid factor test can check for high levels of rheumatoid factor protein, which is associated with the autoimmune disease, rheumatoid arthritis. On the other hand, anti citrullinated protein antibody test or anti-CCP is also associated with this disease. But it is important to understand that not all patients with the disease may have positive anti-CCP. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate determines the level of inflammation in the body. Also, if there is a severe infection in the body, it can trigger the production of C-reactive protein in the liver. When there is an increased production of this protein, it leads to rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis foot pain – treatments
First of all, there is no cure for this condition, but rheumatoid arthritis foot pain treatments can aid in managing it to a great extent. Reduction of the inflammation can also help inhibit further damage to the joints and the associated structures. The most common approach to rheumatoid arthritis foot pain treatment is medicines, dietary changes, certain exercises, and home remedies. The physician will help the patient determine the best course of rheumatoid arthritis gout foot pain treatment.

• Medication
  Medicines such as corticosteroids, acetaminophen, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are generally prescribed in such cases. Also, biologics, a new class of disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs provides a targeted response to treat inflammation rather than inhibiting the immune system response of the body.
• Therapy
  An occupational therapist can help with rheumatoid arthritis gouty foot pain treatments. They help the patients learn new and effective ways of carrying out day to day tasks so that the stress to the joints in the feet is minimized. If one experiences pain in the toes, then a special device for reducing the pressure can be used.
• Surgery
  When these conventional treatment options do not help, surgery can be the best rheumatoid arthritis foot pain treatment. It also helps correct the deformities, if any, while reducing pain. There are various types of surgeries for treating foot pain. For instance, arthroplasty can be used for total replacement of the joint where the damaged parts are replaced by artificial joints made of metal. Also, tendon repair surgery is used when the tendons around the joints are loosened or ruptured. When the joint cannot be surgically removed, then it can be fixed for promoting a bone fusion through a process called arthrodesis.
• Lifestyle changes
  Lifestyle changes can also help in the rheumatoid arthritis foot pain treatment. When there is a flare up, one should rest as much as possible, since exerting pressure on affected joints can worsen the pain and inflammation. When there are no flare-ups, one should workout or exercise on a regular basis, as it helps promote general health and mobility. However, it is important to consult an expert for determining the moves that will work best.
• Home remedies
  When the muscles are sore and tense, applying heat can reduce the pain and discomfort. A hot bath for about 15 minutes can aid a lot. Some people even report that using a hot pack or an electric heating pad offers desired results. One can also use cold treatment for numbing the pain and decreasing muscle spasms. Some people benefit by placing the affected joints in warm water followed by cool water for about half an hour.

You should find ways of relaxing and alleviating mental stress by controlling pain. Deep breathing techniques, guided imagery and hypnosis, and muscle relaxation also help in the treatment for rheumatoid arthritis foot pain. Also, complementary therapies such as chiropractic, electrotherapy, hydrotherapy, and acupuncture help curb the pain.