Take Control of Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms

Imagine that completing simple everyday activities—like brushing your teeth or washing the dishes—becomes almost impossible due to the constant aching and swelling of your joints. If you are one of the estimated 1.3 million Americans living with  (RA), this may be a frustrating reality.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful and sometimes debilitating chronic condition characterized by stiff, swollen and painful joints.

Many who live with the disease feel isolated and limited by it, so it is important to know about the options for managing and controlling flare-ups. While RA can affect anyone, the disease is two to three times more common in women than in men.

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes the body to attack healthy membranes surrounding the joints. The most common symptoms associated with RA are painful, swollen joints in the hands, feet, wrists and ankles, although other areas of the body can be affected. 

While the exact cause of RA is unknown, certain genetic and environmental factors have been associated with it, and physicians have also tied cigarette smoking to higher incidence of the disease.

Early detection and diagnosis are keys to managing and controlling RA. If left untreated, the disease can result in permanent joint damage, bone erosion and deformity. Early diagnosis of RA can be difficult, because often symptoms are similar to those of many other diseases. It is essential to work with your doctor to find a treatment program that works best for you.

Controlling RA Flare-Ups
There are a number of treatment options that aim to relieve your symptoms and some may slow the disease's progress. Everyone who has RA experiences it differently, so the first and most important step in managing the disease is to work closely with your health care team to track how RA affects your daily activities. There is no "one size fits all" approach for those who live with the disease. Talk to your health care professional about what is best for you.

In addition to finding a treatment plan that works for you, incorporating a fitness routine into your daily activities can help manage symptoms and get RA under control. Remember to consult with your physician prior to starting any exercise regiment. It may seem that physical activity should be kept to a minimum to avoid flare-ups, but studies show that a combination of medication and regular physical activities can sometimes help to relieve pain and reduce inflammation caused by the disease, as well as improve function in daily activities. However, during acute flares of disease, rest and even sometimes splinting very inflamed joints can help.

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