Rheumatoid arthritis of the fingers: the first symptoms - detailed information

Rheumatoid arthritis is a series of inflammatory diseases that affect the joints of the limbs. Usually it affects people over 30 years of age, and women have a risk of developing the disease is three times more. The main danger of arthritis is that as a result, a person can partially lose mobility and even remain disabled. That is why it is very important to recognize symptoms of this disease in a timely manner, which usually begins with small joints, that is, from the fingers.

Why develop rheumatoid arthritis?

The disease belongs to the category of autoimmune disorders that are associated with the malfunctioning of the immune system, when it perceives the cells of its own organism as alien, and begins to attack them.

The exact causes that trigger the pathological process are still unknown, the disease usually occurs suddenly, but there are a number of factors that can trigger its development.

1. Age. In older people, arthritis develops more often, as the cartilage worsens over time, the metabolism and blood circulation deteriorate, and hormonal changes occur in the female body, which adversely affect the condition of bones and joints.
2. Mechanical Damage. One of the causes of the onset of the disease is previously bruises, cracks, fractures and other injuries. Over time, the tissues heal, but the strength of the joints decreases, which can eventually lead to the appearance of rheumatoid arthritis.
3. Business activity. The disease is considered professional for athletes, seamstresses, artists and other people whose hands are constantly in suspense.
4. Genetic factors. According to studies, people whose relatives have suffered from joint diseases are more likely to develop similar ailments.
5. Infectious diseases in the anamnesis. Rheumatoid arthritis often develops as a complication of infection with staphylococci or streptococci, as well as a number of other diseases: tonsillitis, acute respiratory viral infections, lupus erythematosus, gout, tuberculosis, diabetes mellitus.
6. Allergic reactions. Allergy sufferers are more prone to joint disease than people who do not suffer from allergies.

In addition, provoking rheumatoid arthritis can overweight, tobacco smoking, decreased immunity, frequent colds and even regular psychoemotional stresses.

Video - Rheumatoid arthritis: symptoms, signs, treatment

Symptoms of arthritis

The disease is characterized by several stages of development, each of which has its own symptoms.

Stage	Symptoms
I	At the first stage, a person does not feel almost any discomfort. The only sign by which you can determine the development of rheumatoid arthritis is the stiffness of movements, manifested in the morning( for example, a person can not perform simple actions: turn the door handle, etc.).It passes very quickly, so almost none of the patients consult
II	specialists. At the second stage, the formation of bone tissue occurs, and the signs of the disease become more pronounced. Small joints swell, hurt and crackle, and stiffness manifests itself not only in the morning, but also in the daytime
III	. If the patient has not been prescribed appropriate treatment, the joints begin to deform, and the pain syndrome worsens, especially in the morning hours. The skin turns red, becomes hot, the movements are constrained, and the symptoms do not pass until the person takes the appropriate medicines.
IV	With the arthritic form started, the joints begin to fuse, the fingers lose their motor function, the patient can not perform simple actions and serve themselves. After the fingers, the pathological process affects other, larger joints

In addition to the above signs, there are so-called systemic manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis, which distinguish it from other joint diseases( for example, arthrosis).

1. Rheumatoid nodules. Dense formations in tissues under the skin, usually located in the area of ​​the elbow, the outer surface of the forearm and other places that are often injured( noted in 20-50% of patients).
2. Anemia. It arises from the deterioration of liver function and the exchange of iron in the body.
3. Felty Syndrome. It is characterized by a decrease in the number of neutrophils in the blood and an increase in the spleen.
4. Still's syndrome. A rise in body temperature above 39 degrees, accompanied by the appearance of pink spots, as well as pain in the joints, which last for one or more weeks.
5. Sjogren's Syndrome. Drying of the mucous membranes( eyes, mouth, nasopharynx).

In any case, do not engage in self-diagnosis or self-medication - to determine the presence of rheumatoid arthritis and appoint appropriate treatment can only specialist.

Diagnosis of arthritis

Diagnosis of arthritis involves the carrying out of a series of analyzes and studies. In the general analysis of urine, the protein is found in this disease, in the general and biochemical analysis of the blood - signs of anemia, increased ESR and the content of C-reactive protein. One of the most accurate markers of the disease is a positive rheumatoid factor( found in 70-90% of cases).In addition, patients undergo x-rays of the affected joints, which allows to determine the localization and specificity of the pathological process.

Forecasts for patients

According to statistics, from the moment of development of arthritis to the moment of diagnosis and appointment of therapy is an average of 9 months( this is due to the lack of pronounced symptoms in the first stages).But in such cases, strict adherence to the recommendations of doctors allows achieving, if not complete recovery, a stable remission.

Even in advanced age, patients who have received appropriate treatment can independently service themselves and even engage in labor activities.

Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Treatment of joint diseases is a complex process that includes taking medications, proper nutrition, physiotherapy, performing the appropriate exercises, etc.

The number of drugs used in the fight against rheumatoid arthritis includes the following:

1. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They relieve inflammation, swelling and pain syndrome, which positively affects the patient's well-being. These include Voltaren , Ibuprofen , Dolaren , as well as ointments( Fastum gel , Diclofenac ).
2. Means with sulfate of chondroitin and glucosamine." Artra ", " Chondroitin ", " Elbona " and other similar preparations contribute to the restoration of the cartilage of the joints of the extremities. It is important to note that they need to be taken for a long time, at least three months.
3. Vasodilators. For rheumatoid arthritis, vasoconstriction is characteristic, because of which the nutrition of the joints worsens. In order to ensure the normal functioning of the vascular system, patients are prescribed " Theonikol ", " Trental ", " Actovegin " in the form of injections.
4. Systemic antibiotics. If the disease is a consequence of a bacterial infection, systemic antibiotics are used in treatment, usually from a number of penicillins and macrolides.
5. Vitamin complexes and calcium preparations. Vitamins and calcium are needed to improve the immunity and nutrition of the affected joints.

In addition, in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, the following recommendations should be followed:

• minimize the burden on the affected joints, do not lift heavy objects;
• during the period of remission daily perform the exercises prescribed by the doctor;
• sleep at least eight hours a day;
• adhere to the recommended diet without taking breaks;
• drink a sufficient amount of liquid( 1.5-2 liters) per day;
• if there is no temperature and on the recommendation of a doctor, you can apply the treatment with electrophoresis, ultrasound, quartz, and massage.

In difficult cases, when conservative treatment does not work, patients are shown endoprosthetics. This operation involves the replacement of joints with prostheses, which are designed taking into account the physiological characteristics of a particular person.

After surgical intervention and rehabilitation course, the patient can return to a full life, restore the motor function and forget about the severe pains that characterize the last stage of arthritis. Disadvantages of endoprosthetics: a sufficiently large number of contraindications, some limitations of activity( in particular, a reduction in the range of arms).

Traditional recipes

Folk recipes for the control of rheumatoid arthritis can be used in combination with conservative therapy and taking into account the characteristics of the organism( allergic reactions to individual ingredients, etc.).

Potatoes

Crude potatoes have an anti-inflammatory effect, which is why it is often used in the treatment of various diseases, including joint diseases. From potatoes can be prepared as a means for internal use( infusion), and for outdoor, that is, compresses and lapping.

1. To prepare the infusion it is necessary to take raw potatoes, grate and pour a glass of kefir. Take the following scheme:

• first ten days a day;
• second ten days in a day;
• the next ten days - every two days.

The entire course is two months, after which the pain syndrome disappears, but with time a relapse may occur, therefore it is sometimes recommended to carry out preventive therapy.

2. In order to make a compress, you should grind the potatoes, put the resulting mush in a gauze pouch and place for a few seconds in boiling water. Transfer, without squeezing it into a piece of natural cloth, to wrap and apply to the sick joints for the night, wrapping with polyethylene and warming well. Compress to do every day for a week.

Apple vinegar

One of the most common alternative recipes for the treatment of arthritis is apple cider vinegar. He is drunk on a teaspoon, diluted in a glass of water, three to five times a day before meals. If there are stomach problems, the dose should be reduced by half. The course lasts from two to four weeks.

You can make compresses from the vinegar solution to reduce the pain syndrome. Take a tablespoon of 6% vinegar, dilute in half a liter of hot water. Dampen the tissue in the solution, wrap the affected area with it, wrap it well and hold it until the compress has cooled.

Bay leaves

Take half-pails of bay leaves, put in a suitable saucepan, pour 300 ml of boiling water and boil for five minutes. After that, close the lid tightly and insist for three hours. It is good to filter, drink the whole broth for the night, repeat the procedure for three days in a row, and you need to constantly prepare a new portion. After a week, repeat the course again, after which the pain syndrome and other symptoms of arthritis should disappear. Preventive course repeat in a year.

Coniferous broth

Means from needles have no side effects and are not addictive, therefore it can be used for a long time. Such remedies relieve the symptoms of an illness well, reduce pain and inflammation. The following components are required for preparation:

• 40 g pine branches;
• 1 tbsp.onion husk;
• 2 tbsp.hips;
• chopped garlic clove.

Pour all the ingredients with 2 liters of water, boil for half an hour, insist in warmth throughout the day. It is good to strain, drink throughout the day, but not more than one liter per day. When severe pain is also recommended to take a bath with a decoction of needles.

One of the most important conditions for the normal functioning of joints is proper nutrition. In the menu of patients with arthritis, it is necessary to include sour-milk products, protein( boiled or steamed lean meat and fish), fresh fruits, cereals, fresh vegetables, greens.

Fresh or frozen berries( cowberry, black currant, sea-buckthorn berries), freshly squeezed juices from vegetables and fruits are considered useful: carrots, beets, cabbage, etc. To improve the taste and therapeutic effect, you can add honey.

Today, rheumatoid arthritis is not a verdict for patients at all. With appropriate treatment and compliance with the recommendations of doctors, even people with neglected forms of arthritis can lead a full and even a very active life for many years.