When one hears the disease “rheumatoid arthritis,” images of old people in wheelchairs who could not even stand up and shake when they move come to mind. For all we know, people like that might really have rheumatoid arthritis, but there is definitely more to that particular disease than that. If you want more information on this disease, then read on and discover its symptoms, diagnosis and the alternative treatments that are available for patients and weigh in on their effectiveness.
Medical experts term rheumatoid arthritis as an “inflammatory autoimmune disease”— from that, we common folk know that it is (1) a disease, (2) and that the autoimmune system of the body is the culprit. It is a condition wherein the immune system, which usually protects the body from infections and diseases, attacks the body it is supposed to protect instead. RA, as it is more popularly known, is different from other forms of arthritis like osteoarthritis, which is caused by the wear and tear of cartilages between bones, causing the bones to hit each other, causing pain because of the friction. RA is classified under the general family of lupus. In RA, tissues that line the joints are attacked by the immune system, which results in swelling, pain and stiffness of the joints, losing their ability to function well. If the condition worsens, RA patients may suffer from bone and cartilage damage, with muscles and tendons weakening, and may eventually lead to destroyed joints.
The reason why the immune system attacks the body’s tissues and cartilages is not actually known. The attack becomes obvious though as joints become swollen and they become red and hot. The swelling pattern is, in most cases, symmetrical, happening on both sides of the body. That means that when the left hand experiences joint inflammation, the same thing is bound to happen with the right hand. Aside from the swelling, other symptoms that the patient may experience are lumps under the skin, swelling of the eyes, and an overall feeling of malaise.
IN RA patients, damage in the joints starts with the synovial membrane swelling. When this happens, membranes thicken which is caused by the overgrowth of synovial cells and the gathering of white blood cells. These white blood cells produce enzymes and other substances that erode the cartilage present in the joints, tendons, bones and ligaments. Progress of the disease causes the production of excess tissues with fibrous properties which limit the motion of the joints.
Profiles of patients suffering from RA include more women than men in their middle age. Any joint in the body may be affected, although most cases happen in the fingers and wrist. A number of patients report other ailments that happen in conjunction with RA such as dry mouth and/or eyes, anemia, lung and/or heart problems. Patients usually feel weak and beset by fatigue, as RA is an autoimmune disease.
Alternative treatments to RA: how effective are they?
Most medical treatments for rheumatoid arthritis are unfortunately, limited to easing the discomfort and pain that patients feel when joints get swollen. As earlier mentioned, the cause of this disease is not really medically conclusive; thus medical experts have found it very difficult to find a cure for the disease itself. There have been efforts to look for alternative and natural treatments to complement medications in treating RA. Some of them are effective while some have not really displayed as much effectiveness as others. Let’s look into some of them:
- Magnets
Magnets have been said to help rheumatoid arthritis patients in controlling the pain. Thus, magnets have been integrated in RA therapy. Natural food stores carry magnet therapies, and they are available in different forms like pads, necklaces, disks, inserts and bracelets. Magnets have proven themselves to be more effective in osteoarthritis patients, with studies confirming magnets as a useful tool in relieving joint pain. There still hasn’t been literature that has supported the same claims for RA patients.
- Hot and cold compresses and treatments
A number of doctors recommend extreme temperature treatments for RA patients to lessen the symptoms of their illness. Patients undergo cold compress to decrease the swelling in joints. A cool compress or ice pack is recommended to be placed on top of the affected area during an RA “attack”. It is advised that even with its effectiveness in easing joint inflammation, cold treatments should not be overdone. A cold compress or ice pack should only be applied at a maximum of 15 minutes, with a break of 30 minutes between treatments.
As for hot treatments, patients have testified to how they felt their muscles relax. Moreover, heat compresses are also said to encourage blood flow. With heat therapy, the heating pad, towel or microwavable hot packs should be hot, but not too hot that it might burn your skin. You may also use steam from a hot shower as your heat therapy. Let the warm water and steam concentrate on the painful area. A hot tub is also a heat treatment method, which should relax muscles. Heat treatments should be avoided, though, by people who have heart disease, high blood pressure, and pregnant women.
Other alternative treatments include mind/body therapies such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, visualization, tai chi, acupuncture and biofeedback. Most of these solutions are still very much dependent on patient response and only work on decreasing the pain of RA patients.
All alternative treatments have not really been completely cleared for possible side effects. Thus, it is always recommended for RA patients to consult with their physicians before adapting any treatment, no matter how “natural” they are.