Health n Fitness Care

Rheumatoid arthritis – or joint pain is among one of the most occurring diseases affecting regular health and fitness regime of people. Approximately 1.3 million people in US are suffering from rheumatic disease. Till a few years back this disease was associated with old age symptoms only but now it is taking its toll on all age groups of people; young or old, male or female all are suffering from one or other kind of joint pains in their body; a major challenge to the health and fitness of all.
It is an autoimmune disease resulting into chronic inflammation of the joints and tissues around the joint. Our immune system is made of cells and antibodies that fight and protects us from any infection or antibody tissues found in our blood. Autoimmune diseases emerge when these protectors turn enemy and starts attacking our own immune system.

A joint in our body is where two bones join each other and allow movement to our body. Arthritis means joint inflammation. The most visible symptoms of rheumatoid or arthritis is swelling, pain, stiffness and redness of joints. It can also affect other tissues such as tendons, ligaments and muscles. It further leads to deformity of joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis does not have very specific symptoms except sever joint pain but there are some other symptoms that come and go with tissue inflammation. When the disease is active patient can feel fatigue, loss of energy, lack of appetite, low-grade fever, joint pains, muscle pain, stiffness etc. Even in some cases joints get red, swollen, painful and tender.

The severity of the disease can be anything like damage of body tissues, loss of cartilage and erosion, weakness of bones, joint deformity, and even loss of function. In some cases it can result into tightening of our vocal cord and change tone of our voice.

As there is no identified reason responsible for rheumatoid arthritis, there is no sure-shot treatment for it. In most of the cases it is suspected to be a genetic disease which runs in family. It has also been noted to develop from some environmental infections in some individuals that misdirect the immune system to attack its own family member tissues. A lot of research is going on world wide in this area.

The medical treatment for rheumatoid arthritis is limited to reduce joint inflammation and pain, maximize joint function and prevent damage and deformity. Optimal treatment involves medication, rest, exercises, joint protection and education.

The good thing, and a hope for patients, is that this disease may disappear (burn out) on its own even after years of activity. Patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and their family members can improve certain living conditions to relieve the symptoms.

Diet: If you are overweightor underweight change your diet to maintain a healthy and strong body to sustain the disease. Strong muscles and in-line body structure will help you manage and avoid the painful situations. Include plenty of fruit and vegetables, calcium and irons in your food ingredients. Mostly it depends on your body which food it can cope with and which is problematic for it. You can know it better. Maintain a diary keeping note of your problematic foods and avoid them. For example wheat and dairy products are liable to make rheumatoid arthritis symptoms worse.

Exercise: It is important to take exercise daily for even a normal person, more so for a rheumatoid arthritis patient. Some rheumatoid arthritis specific exercise will relieve your ligaments, avoid stiffness and keep you comfortable. All you need is to consult your physician about the exercise plan and follow it point to point to keep you healthy and fit. Neither more nor less or you may put your self in a greater problem. Walking and cycling are good and swimming is considered to be a very helpful exercise for rheumatoid arthritis patients for swimming involves movement from all parts of the body and water supports your body weight thus reduce pressure on your joints. All these exercises are even very beneficial for general person to maintain a health and fitness regime on daily basis.

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