RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

Rheumatoid Arthritis is referred to as RA for short and is an autoimmune disorder, wherein the body immune system attacks the joints which cause inflammation and swelling. If the inflammation is unchecked it leads to loss of cartilage. The two ends of the bones start rubbing against each other causing pain and loss of mobility as the synovium starts to thicken.

Most of the population in India aged over 50 years suffers from Rheumatoid Arthritis. Mostly women aged over 30 years are affected and men aged over 60 years are affected. There is deformity in the joints and the person loses his mobility cannot lift small things or needs to walk with support.

Diagnosis of RA: Your family doctor or a primary physician you may visit may suspect RA based on the symptoms you exhibit such as pain or swelling in the joints or deformity of fingers or toes or the knee joints. The doctor checks on the following factors

1. Your medical history and general health condition
2. Physical examination is done by him
3. Will suggest blood tests to measure inflammation levels
4. High ESR or erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein may suggest high inflammation levels
5. Antibody test or RF test is suggested to determine the extent of Rheumatoid Arthritis. An anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide found in large quantities may contribute to RA factor.
6. Smoking , exposure to certain metals may trigger rheumatoid arthritis

Treatment methods: The main goal of the treatment is to give the patient symptomatic relief from the symptoms rheumatoid Arthritis. The treatment must start early and should be aggressive in arresting inflammation and giving the patient relief from pain. The treatment is always focused on giving the patient

• Symptomatic relief
• Reducing swelling or inflammation in the joints
• Making Him or her comfortable
• The treatment also aims at reducing long-term complications
• Aiming at achieving remission or making the effects of rheumatoid arthritis null on the body.

You may be prescribed Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to ease the pain. Corticosteroids or disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs or DMARDS to help ease your symptoms. Biologicals and JAK inhibitors play a significant role in slowing the activity of rheumatoid arthritis. Surgery for RA may be required if the patient is suffering from immobility problems, as his hip joints or knee joints may be giving him trouble. The cartilage may be completely worn-out causing pain and inflammation.

Rheumatologist alone can treat your RA factors. It is important that you visit a rheumatologist to get yourself treated.

KIMS is the best hospital in Hyderabad offering comprehensive and best treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. We have the top most rheumatologists in Hyderabad on board to treat patients with RA. Our treatment is the best rheumatology treatment in India, being comprehensive in all respects.