Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the joints. The cause of rheumatoid arthritis is not fully understood, but it is known that women are more likely to suffer from it. The disease develops due to inflammatory processes that destroy the articular surfaces of the bones.

Typically, rheumatoid arthritis appears in the spring or autumn, in stressful situations or after serious illnesses. The first symptoms are pain in the joints and muscles, stiffness in the morning. First, the joints of the hands, feet and wrists are affected, then the knees, elbows and other joints.

The affected joints swell, increase in size, and are painful on palpation. The skin over them turns red, becomes hot, and the range of motion in the joint decreases. The inflammation is most often bilateral. With a long course of the disease, fusion of the articular surfaces of the bones and loss of mobility occurs.

In addition to the joints, the kidneys and lungs are also affected. For diagnosis, a blood test for rheumatoid factor, radiography and other joint imaging methods are used.

Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis includes taking anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic drugs, physiotherapeutic procedures, and exercise therapy. If drug therapy is ineffective, surgical interventions are performed. Timely treatment can slow the progression of the disease and prevent disability.