Rheumatoid arthritis 

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“Inflammatory arthritis” is a broad term for several disorders when an abnormal immune response leads to joint inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a type of inflammatory arthritis that primarily affects joints in the hands, wrists, and feet."

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Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can affect more than just your joints. In some people, the condition can damage a wide variety of body systems, including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart and blood vessels.

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An autoimmune disorder, rheumatoid arthritis occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body's tissues.

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Unlike the wear-and-tear damage of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis affects the lining of your joints, causing a painful swelling that can eventually result in bone erosion and joint deformity.

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The inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis is what can damage other parts of the body as well. While new types of medications have improved treatment options dramatically, severe rheumatoid arthritis can still cause physical disabilities.

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Osteoarthritis vs. Rheumatoid Arthritis

OA is the most common type of arthritis. Unlike RA, it is not an autoimmune disease. It occurs due to the breakdown of joint cartilage.

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Causes of OA include aging, joint injuries, repetitive joint use, being overweight, and having a family history of OA. Inflammatory processes do not cause OA, so it does not affect other body areas, such as the eyes or heart. 

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OA develops over many years and typically affects older adults. It does not cause whole-body symptoms like fatigue and fever. It can get progressively worse with age, but unlike RA, there are no disease-modifying treatments to prevent progression.

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OA is classically asymmetric (affecting only one joint), but it can affect both sides of the body (both knees, both hips, etc), the way RA traditionally does.

 

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Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis may include:

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• Tender, warm, swollen joints

• Joint stiffness that is usually worse in the mornings and after inactivity

• Fatigue, fever and loss of appetite

 

 

Early rheumatoid arthritis tends to affect your smaller joints first — particularly the joints that attach your fingers to your hands and your toes to your feet.

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As the disease progresses, symptoms often spread to the wrists, knees, ankles, elbows, hips and shoulders. In most cases, symptoms occur in the same joints on both sides of your body.

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About 40% of people who have rheumatoid arthritis also experience signs and symptoms that don't involve the joints. Areas that may be affected include:

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• Skin

• Eyes

• Lungs

• Heart

• Kidneys

• Salivary glands

• Nerve tissue

• Bone marrow

• Blood vessels

 

Rheumatoid arthritis signs and symptoms may vary in severity and may even come and go. Periods of increased disease activity, called flares, alternate with periods of relative remission — when the swelling and pain fade or disappear. Over time, rheumatoid arthritis can cause joints to deform and shift out of place.

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When to see a Doctor?

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You should speak with our doctor if you experience arthritis symptoms for 3 days or more or several times within a month.

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You can  also choose to speak with our doctor if the following applys to you:

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• Joint symptoms interfere with the ability to perform daily activities, such as walking, gripping objects, or doing routine tasks.

• You have previously experienced joint symptoms that resolved but are now recurring or worsening.

• You experience systemic symptoms alongside joint problems, such as unexplained fatigue, weight loss, or fever.

• You have a family history of arthritis or autoimmune diseases and start to have symptoms of arthritis.

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Make an appointment with our doctor if you have persistent discomfort and swelling in your joints. We can see what we can do for you.

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RA requires early diagnosis and appropriate management to minimize symptoms, preserve joint function, and improve overall well-being.

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Our Doctors use a person’s medical history, physical exams, and various tests to determine whether a person has RA or another type of inflammatory arthritis.

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This is our starting point.

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A note from The CITTER RA CLINIC 

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If you have rheumatoid arthritis, you may feel like you’re on a lifelong roller coaster of pain and fatigue.

 

It’s important to share these feelings and your symptoms with Us.

 

Along with X-rays and blood tests, what you say about your quality of life, will help inform us, in your treatment. We will assess your symptoms and recommend the right treatment plan for your needs.

 

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Causes

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Normally, your immune system helps protect your body from infection and disease. In rheumatoid arthritis, your immune system attacks healthy tissue in your joints. It can also cause medical problems with your heart, lungs, nerves, eyes and skin.

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The specific causes of rheumatoid arthritis (RA as it’s often shortened to in the medical community) have yet to be identified. This is true despite decades of medical research!

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However, the ancient Citta system gives us the opportunity to treat RA based  nature practices using natural oil combinations, depending on the severity by way of massages, plant-based nutrients as diet and much more.

 

We do know that it is the result of this ancient system of practices that people get relief.

 

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Stages of Rheumatoid Arthritis

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The stages of RA are:

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• Stage 1, or early stage: This stage produces joint symptoms and early symptoms like fatigue and fever, but joint damage is uncommon.

• Stage 2, or moderate stage: This stage causes inflammation of the synovium (lining of the joint) and early cartilage damage.

• Stage 3, or severe stage: At this stage, RA starts to damage bones and joints. Cartilage starts to wear away, leading to bone-on-bone pain. 

• Stage 4, or end stage: The joints no longer work at the end stage, and there is joint damage or deformity.

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Musculoskeletal Disorder

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Key facts

• Approximately 1.71 billion people have musculoskeletal conditions worldwide.

• Musculoskeletal conditions are the leading contributor to disability worldwide, with low back pain being the single leading cause of disability in 160 countries.

• Musculoskeletal conditions significantly limit mobility and dexterity, leading to early retirement from work, lower levels of well-being and reduced ability to participate in society.

• Because of population growth and ageing, the number of people living with musculoskeletal conditions and associated functional limitations, is rapidly increasing.

 

 

 

Scope

Musculoskeletal health refers to the performance of the locomotor system, comprising intact muscles, bones, joints and adjacent connective tissues.

 

Musculoskeletal impairments comprise more than 150 different diseases/conditions that affect the system and are characterized by impairments in the muscles, bones, joints and adjacent connective tissues leading to temporary or lifelong limitations in functioning and participation.

 

Musculoskeletal conditions are typically characterized by pain (often persistent) and limitations in mobility and dexterity, reducing people’s ability to work and participate in society. Pain experienced in musculoskeletal structures is the most common form of non-cancer pain.

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Musculoskeletal conditions are relevant across the life-course – from childhood to older age. They range from those conditions that arise suddenly and are short-lived (such as fractures, sprains and strains, associated with pain and limitations in functioning) though to long-term conditions such as chronic primary low back pain and osteoarthritis.

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Musculoskeletal conditions are also the highest contributor to the global need for rehabilitation. They are among the largest contributors to the need for rehabilitation services among children and account for approximately two-thirds of all adults in need of rehabilitation.

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