Rheumatoid arthritis, commonly known as RA, is a disease of the autoimmune system that causes joint damage and pain, along with various other symptoms. It affects both sides of your body, such as both knees or wrists. Rheumatoid arthritis can also affect the eyes, heart, lungs, nerves, or blood. If you have any symptoms of arthritis, you should visit a rheumatologist in Lahore
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis?
The signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are;
- Joint pain
- Stiffness in one or more joint
- Swelling of joint
- Tenderness of joint
- Joint inflammation on both the sides of the body
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Weakness
What is the Cause for Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which your body attacks its own cells. The exact cause for it is unknown, but it may get triggered due to certain factors.
What are the Tips to Cope With Rheumatoid Arthritis?
To cope with rheumatoid arthritis the following things can help;
Follow the Advice of Your Doctor
If you have rheumatoid arthritis, you must follow the advice of your doctor. Take the medications as they have prescribed, at the right time, and in the right dose. If you do not take medications as prescribed by your physician, the pain may aggravate.
Be Physically Active
Often people having rheumatoid arthritis restrict their physical activity. According to experts, patients having rheumatoid arthritis should remain moderately active. You can do light to moderate exercises such as walking, swimming, or biking for at least 20 to 30 minutes a day. Being physically active also reduces the chances of other diseases such as heart attack, diabetes, and depression.
Quit smoking
Smoking can worsen arthritis. Therefore, if you smoke, you must quit doing that. Smoking also increases the chances of other diseases such as heart attack and diabetes. If you find it difficult to quit smoking, you can seek professional help.
Maintain a healthy weight
Being obese or overweight can worsen arthritis many times. Along with that, it can increase the risk for many other diseases too, such as heart attack and diabetes. If you are overweight, shed those extra pounds and maintain a healthy weight according to your body mass index.
Keep changing position
When you are doing something such as writing, knitting, or driving, keep changing your positions. If you keep yourself in a certain position for a long time, it can lead to stiffness and pain in the joints.
Even while watching television, take a break in between, stand up and walk around after at least 30 minutes. It will enable you to keep active and going.
Maintain a Balance
With arthritis, maintaining the balance between work and rest is essential. Do not overdo any of these things. Make sure you do not rest for too long or keep working for too long, as both things can adversely affect your health.
You can make a schedule to plan out activities according to your pace, so that you can do them without rushing. Ensure that you maintain an adequate balance between work and rest to prevent the exacerbation of arthritis.
Warm water or heat pad
To ease ache, you can soak your hands or feet in warm water as it may help in comforting you. Moreover, you can also apply a heating pad on your inflamed and swollen joints that can lower pain.
Conclusion
Arthritis is a lifelong condition. You need to learn the art of living with it. Practicing these tips can help you cope with it. You must ensure that you have a healthy weight according to the body mass index, consume a healthy diet, and do not smoke. If you have a complaint of joint pain, you can visit a rheumatologist in Islamabad
