What is RA
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is the most common type of autoimmune diseases. It is caused when the immune system (the body’s defense system) is not working properly. RA causes pain and swelling in the wrist and small joints of the hand and feet. Treatments for RA can stop joint pain and swelling.
Diagnosis
Rheumatoid arthritis can be difficult to diagnose in its early stages because the early signs and symptoms mimic those of many other diseases. There is no one blood test or physical finding to confirm the diagnosis.
During the physical exam, your doctor will check your joints for swelling, redness and warmth. He or she may also check your reflexes and muscle strength.
Blood Tests
People with rheumatoid arthritis often have an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) or C-reactive protein (CRP), which may indicate the presence of an inflammatory process in the body. Other common blood tests look for rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies.
Imaging Tests
Your doctor may recommend X-rays to help track the progression of rheumatoid arthritis in your joints over time. MRI and ultrasound tests can help your doctor judge the severity of the disease in your body.
Tips to manage Rheumatoid Arthritis:
- Look for the cause of inflammation in the joints which causes pain and swelling which may be due to weather change, wrong food etc. Remove the cause and you will get immediate relief.
- Throw sedentary lifestyle out of your life and be active. Keep your joints moving, do some joint exercises.
- Avoid sour and spicy food as they cause inflammation. Use freshly made food but do not use raw food, instead use freshly cooked food.
- Drink few glasses of lukewarm water first thing in the morning and half glass of water before going to bed.
- Breakfast before 9 am with fruits (No juices).
- Lunch by 1.30 pm
- Dinner by 6.30 with soups, vegetables, no protein like pulses or non-veg in dinner.
- Avoid smoking, Drinking
- Optimize intake of proteins but do not exceed required quantity.
10. Take this homeopathic mother tinctures: R 11. Mix 10 drops each in a quarter cup of water and drink three times a day. Please consult your doctor before starting these drops.
- If severe pain is there, consult rheumatologist or your doctor for pain management.
- Get regular acupuncture treatment for RA, the best way to control inflammation and chronic pain.