Take care of your mental and physical health. That is the only way to cure RA. Else living with Rheumatoid arthritis can be hell, an autoimmune disease that affects the joints and the other body parts.
What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid Arthritis or RA is an autoimmune condition that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the joints. This condition would result in the following experiences and might also interfere with the daily activities:
- Pain
- Redness or discolouration
- Inflammation
One needs to prevent their joints and organs from permanent injuries; therefore, treatment for RA is essential. Unlike other autoimmune conditions, RA is a complex disorder. Though one can help themselves in treating RA to help improve their lifestyle.
Things You Should Know If You Have Rheumatoid Arthritis.
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One might not be able to gauge RA in the initial stages.
The symptoms are commonly invisible during the initial stages. This fact needs to be explained to your loved ones.
The underlying inflammation might lead to RA. This could affect your physical and emotional health such as:
- Pain
- Fatigue
- Stiffness
If you are suffering from RA, ask your near ones to help you. Your loved ones will be more considerate of your condition. They might be able to help you support better.
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RA hits different in every age-group
Studies suggest that RA is very common in women aged between 25 to 45. However, the condition can be developed in any gender irrespective of their age. The primary symptom is pain and inflammation in the joints, but one might develop different levels of progression as the age increases.
You might find the following:
1- You struggle to complete daily tasks due to fatigue and take more time to complete them.
2- You keep forgetting things.
3- You tend to sleep more. The time to your bed has shifted; maybe you have started going to bed earlier.
4- You need more rest after a day out.
5- You are losing weight without even trying for it.
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One might have RA and Lupus simultaneously.
Lupus is also an autoimmune disease, and one might have both RA and Lupus at the same time. This situation is termed overlap syndrome. The symptoms of both conditions are almost similar, but lupus can have the following symptoms:
- Skin rashes or ulcers
- Kidney problems
Decreased blood cells and platelets
The treatment for both conditions is similar due to their similar inflammation-based conditions. There is a chance that RA symptoms might improve and lupus might flare-up. If you are experiencing any of these conditions, seek a doctor immediately.
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Chances of having fibromyalgia exist too
Both fibromyalgia and RA have common symptoms, which include fatigue and pain. RA also causes joint pain and inflammation and can be treated with different classes of medications. On the contrary, fibromyalgia may cause constant pain. RA would result in a much worst condition with time, whereas such is not the case with fibromyalgia. It won’t worsen with time.
Apart from these, the following are the symptoms of fibromyalgia:
- Headaches
- Depression or anxiety
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Sensitivity to changes in temperature, sound, and light
- Sleep deprivation
- Fatigue
There is no cure for fibromyalgia, but one can help cure their symptoms by practising the following:
- Getting enough deep sleep
- Managing stress
- Relaxation techniques such as meditation
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Help manage your pain through regular exercise
Exercising would not only help you ease the condition of RA but also has some other health benefits. It helps in overall health and well-being. You might face a bit of a problem when you have RA-related pain.
Seek advice from your doctor related to exercise. Start with little steps. Take a walk every day. Initially, walk a little and then gradually increase your distance and speed. Resistance and flexibility exercises like yoga and tai chi might help alleviate your pain and help increase your mobility.
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Take rest too
As it is said, that everything done in moderation is beneficial. Anything which exceeds the limits is harmful. Therefore, too much exercise might increase inflammation and make your symptoms worse. Take a day off if you are experiencing the following:
- Feeling run down
- Feeling stiff
- Having too much pain
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Manage fatigue and brain fog; they are real
Adapt the following practices to help treat fatigue and brain fog:
- A regular sleep cycle to be maintained
- Enough exercise during the day
A healthy and balanced diet
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Manage stress efficiently
A lot of stress can deteriorate the condition of RA. It might also affect the condition of fibromyalgia. Take time to ease stress. Practice the following to keep a healthy body and mind.
- Take a short walk
- Meditate
- Listen to relaxing music
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Manage your weight to reduce the symptoms
If you are someone who is obese, the condition of RA might progress. So, if you are an experienced RA, you should try reducing your weight a little. It might help ease the condition and lessen the symptoms. Following are the areas, which might be affected by your weight management:
- Back
- Hips
- Knees
But, before going for a weight loss program, consult your doctor once so as he draws a guideline for you on how to proceed with the exercises.
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Protect your heart in the process of your overall treatment of RA
The inflammation of your RA might spread to internal organs and affect their working too. These internal organs might include your heart and lungs. During your RA treatment and management, make sure that you are getting your other organs checked too.
Make sure to adopt the following:
- Bring your blood pressure to a stable level
- Reduce your cholesterol levels
- Try doing cardiovascular exercises to your fitness regime
- Adopt a low-fat diet
- Quit smoking
Conclusion
Joint pain and stiffness aren’t the only characteristics of RA to be managed. You need to check your energy levels, mental health, and heart health to ease the symptoms of RA. Change your lifestyle along with the medical treatment you are undergoing to witness fruitful results.
