RA Test Tips

1. Dr. S. A. Somashekar

Https://www. Lybrate. Com/bangalore/doctor/dr-somashekar-s-a-rheumatologist

Mbbs, dm - rheumatology

20 years experience 600 at clinic

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Rheumatology is the specialty that he specialises in as a highly qualified physician. His clinical training came from two highly regarded universities: he earned his mbbs from mysore university in 2002 and his dm in rheumatology from ryazan state medical university in 2011. Both of these universities are well known in their respective fields. He is a well-known figure within the indian rheumatology organisation, where he serves as a provisional member.



2. Dr. Santosh saklecha

Https://www. Lybrate. Com/bangalore/doctor/dr-santosh-saklecha-rheumatologist ;

Mbbs, md - general medicine, fellowship in rheumatology

16 years experience 250 - 700 at clinic

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He has been a recognized physician for the past 16 years, and he is well-respected. He is a critical care specialist as well as an expert in bone imaging and musculoskeletal conditions. He is a highly qualified physician working in the area.

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He acquired his clinical training from prestigious schools such as sri devaraj urs medical college in 2006 for his mbbs, m. S. Ramaiah medical college for his md in general medicine in 2010, and eular geneva for his fellowship in rheumatology in 2014. He is currently practising medicine. Both the indian rheumatology association and the indian society of critical care medicine (isccm) hold him in high esteem as a member of their organisations.

3. Dr. Sharath kumar

Https://www. Lybrate. Com/bangalore/doctor/dr-sharath-kumar-rheumatologist-1

Mbbs, md - paediatrics, dnb - rheumatology ;

Rheumatologist, delhi

20 years experience 550 - 750 at clinic



His clinical experience comes from well-respected institutions such as the mbbs programme at bangalore medical college and research institute, which he completed in 2002, md dnb in paediatrics from pgimer in chandigarh in the year 2007, rheumatology diplomate of the national board of examinations, new delhi, 2013. ;



He has been honoured with a number of accolades from illustrious organisations, such as the eular bursary for young rheumatologists. Young rheumatologists are encouraged to apply for the eular bursary so that they can attend the eular conference in london, united kingdom. He is a well-respected member of the indian rheumatology association as well as the paediatric rheumatology chapter of the indian academy of paediatrics (iap).

4. Dr. Sathish r. Kalanje

Https://www. Lybrate. Com/bangalore/doctor/dr-sathish-r-kalanje-rheumatologist ;

Mbbs, fellowship in rheumatology, md, dabim

32 years experience 500 at clinic

 

Rheumatologist is the specialty that he specialises in as a highly qualified physician. His clinical knowledge comes from well-respected institutions such as the mbbs programme at bangalore medical college and research institute, which he completed in 1990 in bangalore. Fellowship in rheumatology from the university of missouri in columbia (1999); medical doctorate from the university of missouri in 1997, the diplomate of the american board of internal medicine in 1997. He has been a member for a significant amount of time and is held in high regard by the american board of internal medicine in the united states.

5. Dr. Harshini a s

Https://www. Lybrate. Com/bangalore/doctor/dr-harshini-a-s-rheumatologist-immunologist 

Mbbs, md - internal medicine, fellowship in rheumatology

Rheumatologist & immunologist, bangalore

11 years experience 600 at clinic

 

She is a highly qualified medical professional who practises in the area as a rheumatologist. Her clinical training came from illustrious schools such as mbbs from m. S. Ramaiah medical college in bangalore in 2011; md internal medicine from the bangalore medical college and research institute in bangalore in 2015; and completed her fellowship in rheumatology from the christian medical college in vellore, tamil nadu, in 2018. She has been practising medicine since 2011.

 

6. Dr. Sagar bhattad

Https://www. Lybrate. Com/bangalore/doctor/dr-sagar-bhattad-rheumatologist 

Mbbs bachelor of medicine and bachelor of surgery, md- paediatrics & neonatology

12 years experience 700 at clinic

 

He is a highly qualified medical professional who practises in the area as a rheumatologist, paediatric rheumatologist, immunologist. The following are some of the prestigious institutions from which he obtained his clinical expertise: mbbs, bachelor of medicine and bachelor of surgery from jnmc, belgaum in 2010, md-paediatrics & neonatology from pgimer, chandigarh in 2013, graduate certificate of paediatric rheumatology from pgimer, chandigarh 2016.

7. Dr. Chethana dharmapalaiah

Https://www. Lybrate. Com/bangalore/doctor/dr-chethana-dharmapalaiah-rheumatologist 

Mbbs, mrcp (uk), mrcp, cct - rheumatology

21 years experience 700 at clinic

 

Doctor chethana has been working in the field of rheumatology for 20 years. Having a well known name and a good reputation when it comes to treating joint disorders. She is a specialist in treating rheumatic disorders and also has functioned as a good physician when it comes to patient care. 

 

She has done her mbbs from kempegowda institute of medical sciences (kims), bangalore in 2001 and also gained her clinical expertise in the form of mrcp in 2006 and also her mrcp, cct in 2010, both from royal college of physicians, london, uk. She is an important part of association of otolaryngologists of india (aoi) and a renowned speaker of indian medical association (ima) and also a member of british medical association, uk.

8. Dr. Swetha jayram

Https://www. Lybrate. Com/bangalore/doctor/dr-swetha-jayram-rheumatologist 

Md, fellowship in rheumatology and immunology

10 years experience 400 at clinic 200 online

 

She is an expert rheumatologist with ten years of experience in the field. Her clinical training came from prestigious institutes such as md from bangalore medical college and research institute, bangalore in 2012; fellowship in rheumatology and immunology from the chanre rheumatology and immunology centre and research in bangalore, in 2015.

9. Dr. Srinivasa. C

Https://www. Lybrate. Com/bangalore/doctor/dr-srinivasa-c-rheumatologist 

Md - general medicine, mbbs, dm - rheumatology

20 years experience 700 at clinic

 

He is a highly qualified medical professional who practises in the area as a rheumatologist. His clinical competence was gained from such renowned institutes as the md general medicine from sri devaraj urs medical college in 2008; mbbs from vijayanagara institute of medical sciences (vims), bellary in 2002, and a doctor of medicine in rheumatology from the nizam institute of medical sciences, hyderabad in 2014. He has served the indian rheumatology association for a long time and is well regarded for his contributions.

10. Dr. Shweta singhai

Https://www. Lybrate. Com/bangalore/doctor/dr-shweta-singhai-rheumatologist 

Mbbs, dnb - internal medicine

23 years experience 700 at clinic

 

She is regarded as one of the best rheumatologists in vellore which is due to her 23 years of experience in the field. Her clinical training came from prestigious institutes such as gandhi medical college, bhopal in 1999; dnb internal medicine from choithram hospital and research centre in 2004. She is board certified in internal medicine.

 

Based on latest data available till date.

Maintain social distancing
wash your hands frequently and use sanitisers
use face mask
do not go out of home unnecessarily


patients of rheumatology like rheumatoid arthritis, sle, ankylosing spondylitis, vasculitis are not at
Increased risk of getting coronavirus as compared to the general population
well controlled disease or arthritis offer better protection against any infection including coronavirus,
As compared to the uncontrolled disease
patients should not stop taking their medicines without asking the doctor
covid-19 disease behaves similar to that of general population in patients taking rheumatology
Medicines
patients taking biological medicines, high dose steroids or cyclophosphamide, elderly should takes
Extra precautious and should maintain social distancing and must not go out of their homes
as of date there is no hard evidence that hydroxychloroquine prevents infection from coronavirus.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune condition wherein the body s immune system mistakenly attacks the linings of the joint. This condition affects both sides of the body including the eyes, hands and legs. Unlike the depreciating damage of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis causes a distressful swelling that consequently leads to bone deformity and even erosion. As such, it is one of the more important characteristics of the condition which distinguishes it from other forms of arthritis. It often leads to debilitating disabilities.

Risk factors and complications
Factors such as obesity, smoking, age (affects mostly after the age of 40) and many environmental factors increase the risk of Rheumatoid arthritis. In severe cases, rheumatoid arthritis can lead to a plethora of other conditions such as:

Dry mouth and eyes
Osteoporosis
Abnormal body composition
Treatment
Blood and imaging tests will first be carried out. Based on such diagnosis, you may be advised medications such as steroids or Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). Now in case of severe pain, one would have to take to surgery. Varying surgeries work on different joints of the body and some of these include:

Arthroplasty: This procedure replaces all or a part of the joint for instance, the knee or the hip.
Arthroscopy: A procedure which helps pull out inflamed tissue or debris from the required joint with the help of light, small instruments.
Cervical spinal fusion: Pressure on the median nerve is eased with this procedure.
Hands and foot surgeries: These procedures help correct dysfunctional joints of the hands, fingers, legs and toes.
Synovectomy: Synovectomy helps remove more intricate tissues which are inflamed or otherwise.
What to consider before you opt for one?
Although these various surgeries often restore almost-normal movements in the patient, they can only do so in two or possibly three joints. And of course, it goes without saying that you should consult with an orthopaedist orthopaedic surgeon) experienced in arthritis and joint surgeries before opting for such.

You may have reached a ripe age with all the worldly knowledge at your disposal to share with the world. You may have reached a stage where you no longer feel like a learner in important areas of life and could easily be someone who has the experiences and the expertise to help people out in times of their trouble.

However, you may also be at a juncture where your knees in particular may not be your best friends anymore. You may be facing a lot of joint issues and the knees may be a pair of joints that give you immense pain and discomfort when you climb stairs, walk some distance or even just stand or sit. It is very likely that you may be suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and may experience unbearable pain in a lot of joints of the body.

Though when you are afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis, you feel pain in more than one joints, but the knees are the worst affected areas in most cases and a lot of patients are advised to undergo a knee replacement surgery to be able to control the pain. There may be a lot of debates and doubts about whether a person suffering from RA should go under the knife to experience a new life after the surgery.

Some may not agree:
Just as all things have two sides to them, there are those who may be in favour of a knee replacement surgery and those who may not suggest taking the surgery. The reasons why a lot of experts may not favour the surgery include reasons such as the recovery period may take too long, though the surgery may be carried out for the knee joints, it may not be able to help in bringing down the pain in the other joints and arguments such as the replacement surgery may not be absolutely successful all the time.

Here is why you should get it:
Though the patients may have to go through pain in getting a set of new knee joints, there are a lot of reasons that help the patients in taking up the resolve to get the surgery done. Here are a few reasons why it may be the thing to do:

The surgery help you get back in time when you were able to lead a life free of pain in the knees. While the other joints may experience pain when you suffer from RA, the pain in the knees comes across as the most painful and when that is tackled, more than half the battle is won.
While it may be easy to tackle the pain in the other joints through simple physio exercises, it is difficult to manage the knee joint pain and a surgery may be the ultimate relief for the problem.
When a major pain region such as the knee is tackled, it becomes simpler to handle the other joints and the problem of RA may be resolved entirely.
With such advantages from the surgery, it may make sense to a lot of people to get over with the procedure and experience a better quality of life.

Over time, our joints, connective tissues and muscles go through a lot of wear and tear. Additionally, certain conditions may also cause problems, including inflammation and conditions that create persistent pain. These conditions usually fall under the broad category of arthritis, which can be of many types. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) happens when your immune system targets your joints and causes inflammation. RA influences the joints on both sides of the body, for example, both hands, wrists and knees. This symmetry separates it from other kinds of arthritis. It can affect the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, blood, or nerves.

Various signs of inflamed joints are as follows:

Stiffness: Functioning of the joints becomes rigid and doesn't move properly. It is particularly severe in the morning. While those with different types of arthritis have stiff and immobile joints in the morning, people with rheumatoid arthritis take over 60 minutes before their joints feel free.

Swelling or Inflammation: Liquid enters the joint and gives rise to inflammation.

Extreme pain: Irritation inside a joint makes it painful and delicate even to touch. In a chronic condition, this may also lead to fractures.

Redness and warmth: The joints might appear hotter and more pink or red than the skin around it.

Needless to say, your lifestyle choices affect all aspects of your physical wellbeing, and that also include your joints- especially if you are suffering from arthritis. It s a common theory, that joints which are strained and stressed by bearing the burden of extra pounds show more inflammation, wear and tear and stiffness which lead to aggravation of arthritic pain. Here are a few holistic approaches to consider; certain changes in your existing lifestyle that can help you to reduce your arthritic pains:

First and foremost, it s important that you must indulge in plenty of exercises every single day, to keep pounds off and thus help yourself handle this degenerative disease.
In case of creating a healthy diet plan, stick to low calorie and low carb foods. Also be sure that you are consuming lots of vegetables and fruits in your diet. This also helps you to keep fit and put a break on the obesity factors that are detrimental to your health.
As even a few extra pounds can worsen arthritic pain, keep track of your weight and talk to your orthopedic doctor to determine your optimal and healthiest weight. Focus on this prescribed weight coefficient and keep tracking your weight loss patterns unless you have reached your goal.
Cut down on alcohol. There has never been a finer alternative to that.
Feeling depressed or stressed by arthritic pain is a common syndrome among arthritic patients. Nevertheless, on the flipside, such reactions actually worsens the agony of this disease and inhibit you from doing what you need to do, such as taking medications and exercising to keep yourself fit at the end of the day.
Although admittedly, making drastic modifications in your lifestyle can be painful and difficult at first, these are the best remedies for easing arthritic pain in a natural way.
Don t just rely on medications, take control of your disease in a holistic manner and you ll soon find yourself in control of your life again.

Treatments

If rheumatoid arthritis is not treated immediately after diagnosis, it might cause further complications in the future such as lymphatic blood cancers, osteoporosis (a medical condition resulting in brittle and weak bones), blockage of the arteries and dry mouth syndrome (Xerostomia).

The treatment of rheumatoid arthritis includes:

Prescribed dosage of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen and Naproxen, anti-rheumatoid drugs such as Methotrexate and steroidal drugs such as Prednisone help in reducing inflammation and pain. The dosage depends on the intensity of the condition.
Performing regular exercises which will help you retain flexibility of the joints and subsequently cure rheumatoid arthritis.
In extreme cases, the doctor might suggest surgeries such as:
Synovectomy: A surgery that removes the damaged portion of the joint
Joint fusion: This option will realign the joint and reduce the pain If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a internal specialist.

Rheumatoid arthritis refers to a chronic, inflammatory disease that affects the joints and the surrounding tissues. The condition attacks the lining of your joints, especially in the legs and arms, known as the synovial membrane. This leads to painful swelling, and may eventually result in joint deformity and bone erosion.

Early Signs of Rheumatoid Arthritis -

The initial symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include the following

Swelling, warmth and tenderness in the affected joints
Morning stiffness that may persist for long
Firm bumps of tissues known as rheumatoid nodules beneath the skin of your arms
Fever
Fatigue
Unintentional weight loss

Siddha Approach to Rheumatoid Arthritis -

According to traditional Siddha system, the signs of rheumatoid arthritis bear resemblance to two diseases Vazhi azhal keel Vayu, and Uthiravatha suronitham. This has been mentioned in Siddha literature.
Uthiravatha suronitham occurs results from derangement of the humour Vatha. Symptoms include swelling and pain in smaller joints, loss of appetite and mental distress.
Vazhi azhal keel Vayu is caused due to derangement of Pitta and Vatha humour. Symptoms involve abdominal discomfort, lack of sleep, pricking pain, swelling and redness particularly in the ankle and wrist joints.
Siddha system resides on the principle that consumption of certain foods, like potatoes and raw unripe bananas produce more vayu in the intestine, which eventually causes inflammation in the joints. Exposure to rain and cold air also aggravate the Vatha and Pittham humour.

Treatment and Management -

Treatment in Siddha is particularly aimed at restoring the balance of elevated Vatha and Pittham humour through medication and purgation. A healthful diet is recommended to rejuvenate the physical constituents.

Avoiding cold and sour food items, such as curd and tamarind can help balance Vatham and prevent progression of the disease
Salt intake and non-vegetarian foods, especially red meat should be avoided strictly
Avoid alcohol consumption, smoking and tobacco it promotes inflammation of the joints

Besides dietary changes and restrictions, Siddha treatment largely relies on medicines prepared from natural plant extracts and herbal oil. Some of these medicines are consumed orally, while others may be applied to affected joints to counter rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a debilitating condition that is likely to interfere with your daily activities and functional abilities in the long-term. Siddha treatment approach can offer relief from rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a dreaded disease, but not a fatal one. Sounds contradictory? Not really. People suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis can experience severe pain and deformity. However, it is not likely to cause death.

It is a progressive disease that starts with pain and may end up deforming the affected joints. One may have to put up with pain and deformity for the rest of life. If not treated, the disease can also spread to other organs such as eyes, skin, lungs, kidneys, heart etc.

Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis

A unique aspect of Rheumatoid Arthritis is that it is not precipitated by the wear and tear of joints, like Osteoarthritis. It is an autoimmune disorder that is precipitated when the immune system of the body attacks the joints and stokes inflammation in the joint linings. The lining thickens due to inflammation and destroys the cartilage and the bones in the underlying joint. As the health of the cartilages and bones deteriorate, the tendons connecting the bones to the muscles become weak. This makes the joint lose its shape and alignment and thereby precipitates deformity in the joints.

However, doctors are not yet sure of the reasons for the autoimmune disorder.

Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

If someone is suffering from this disease, then he / she might experience the following in the affected joints:

Swollen, tender and warm

Stiff and painful. The stiffness and pain may become worse in the morning.

One may also suffer from fever, fatigue or weight loss.

Risk factors

Although the causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis are unknown, there are certain risk factors.

1. Gender

More women suffer from this disease than men.

2. Age

It can occur at any age, but it is more common among adults between the ages of 40 and 60 years.

3. Heredity

If one or more members of the family has or had suffered from Rheumatoid Arthritis, he/she is at an increased risk.

4. Smoking

Smoking not only increases the susceptibility to Rheumatoid Arthritis but also the severity of the disease. Over and above, if a person is genetically predisposed to this disease, smoking multiplies the risk.

5. Certain Exposure

Exposure to certain stuff like silica, asbestos etc increases the risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

6. Obesity

It has been observed that people who are obese are more likely to suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Doctor can treat the condition only after he has diagnosed the condition. People suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis rarely show any distinctive symptoms, at least in the early stages. Many of the symptoms mimic the symptoms of other diseases. There is no confirmatory blood or any other test. The doctor has to depend on physical examination and some concomitant tests to confirm the diagnosis. This is why the disease is often diagnosed at an advanced stage. However, as soon as the disease is diagnosed, the doctor may prescribe strong anti-rheumatic drugs. This can bring down the symptoms and pain to some extent.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic progressive autoimmune disease causing inflammation in the joints and resulting in painful deformity and immobility, especially in the fingers, wrists, feet, and ankles. This makes it one of the most dreaded types of Arthritis. Such symptoms are not observed in Osteoarthritis, the most common arthritic condition.

The difference between Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis can be put simply. In Osteoarthritis, degeneration of tissue leads to bone erosion and that precipitates the condition. In Rheumatoid Arthritis, the disease condition precipitates cartilage degradation, which abates Bone Erosion. The problem is aggravated by the obvious absence of effective medicines and treatment options.

However, one can take the help of Homeopathy to alleviate the conditions to a large extent. Homeopathy can help in all round management of the disease condition.

Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis

The cause of Rheumatoid Arthritis is radically different from degenerative Arthritic conditions.

In Rheumatoid Arthritis, the immune system attacks the lining of the joints, the Synovium. This results in inflammation of the tissue leading to its thickening. Over time, the thickened Synovium has the effect of degrading the joints and cartilages in a joint.

Gradually, even the Ligaments and Tendons weaken resulting in the joint losing its alignment and shape. This results in deformities which are not curable so far.

Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Symptoms include:

Tender, swollen and worn joints

Joint stiffness. This is one of the most common symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis. It is usually worse after a period of inactivity, as well as in the mornings.

Fever, Fatigue and Weight loss

Smaller joints like fingers, wrists etc. are usually affected first unlike Osteoarthritis. In Osteoarthritis, the big joints like knee, shoulder, ankle etc. are mostly affected.

You may also suffer from problems not related to joints at all. You may suffer from problems with lungs, heart, eyes, skin, nerve tissue, kidneys, blood vessels, bone marrow etc. However, these are the fallouts of long-standing suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis and not an initial symptom.

Homeopathic Cure of Rheumatoid Arthritis

A study published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology has shown that there is a significant improvement in Joint articular index, Pain, Grip strength and Stiffness in patients administered with homoeopathic medicines over a fixed period. Moreover, no side effect was observed in patients who were given Homeopathic medicines.

The Unique Aspects Of Homeopathy in Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

What is important in Homeopathy is to get a complete history of the patient. The patient needs to talk to the doctor in detail starting with the onset of symptoms. The doctor may also ask questions about social and family backgrounds. They ask such questions to make sure that they can establish some kind of a link between the onset of Rheumatoid Arthritis and patient s habits, social interactions, family interactions etc.

Based on these details, doctors choose a medical course for the patient. Homeopathic may not provide instant relief but will work in the long run, as it cures the root of the disease along with curing the disease.

Consulting an experienced Homeopathic Doctor with specialization in Arthritis is suggested for treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory arthritis with a prevalence of 0.5-1% in India. It is characterized by joint pain and swelling associated with morning stiffness lasting for more than 30 minutes. It generally has a slow onset - over weeks to months, though the onset can be acute also. Most common joints involved are small joints of hands and feet. Larger joints like knee and shoulder can also be involved. The incidence of RA increases with age. It is twice more common in females than in males. Early treatment is necessary to bring down the inflammation, avoid joint deformities and prevent other complications (lung, heart, vasculitis).

CAUSE:

Predisposition to RA is multifactorial. It has a genetic component (family history of RA increases the risk). Environmental factors like smoking also play a role.

SYMPTOMS:

Initial symptoms start with fatigue, malaise, generalised bodyaches, low-grade fever. The onset is generally slow and eventually patient develops joint pain and swelling. Though the joint involvement is symmetrical in most cases, asymmetric onset is common (involving joints predominantly on one side).

DIAGNOSIS:

Diagnosis is made by a physician after detailed history, clinical examination and supportive lab tests. Rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP antibody are positive in 75-80% patients with RA. They have raised inflammatory markers (ESR, CRP) during active inflammation.

TREATMENT:

RA treatment options are wide and quite effective. It starts with patient education regarding nature of the disease and the risk of complications. The need of early aggressive therapy should be emphasized. The patient should put in efforts for physiotherapy which play a very important role in muscle strength and joint mobility. Pharmacotherapy options are wide and include disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDS). These can be conventional DMARDS like methotrexate (usually the first line drug), sulfasalazine, hydroxychloroquine, leflunomide. Failure to adequately respond to these drugs should lead your Rheumatologist to consider Biologic DMARDS (TNF antagonists, Rituximab, Abatacept, Tocilizumab). Your Rheumatologist is the best person to guide you about dose, indications, monitoring and side effects of the drugs used in RA. Treatment duration depends on patient's response but is generally long (5-10 years or lifelong).

COMPLICATIONS BEYOND JOINTS:

RA patients can have rheumatoid nodules in skin, lungs, heart and other sites. These patients are at risk of accelerated bone loss, so calcium and vitamin Dintake should be optimized. Eye complications include dryness, redness (scleritisand episcleritis) and certain eye threatening complications. Lung involvement can be seen in various forms (fluid in lungs, nodules, interstitial lung disease).

These patients are at high risk of atherosclerosis (heart and blood vessel disease). They also have a tendency to have frequent infections.

NEED OF THE HOUR:

All patients with joint pains should be seen early by Rheumatologist for diagnosis and treatment. With so many treatment options, no patient should suffer from joint deformities and other complications associated with long standing, untreated RA. LEAD A HEALTHY LIFE!

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology marked by a symmetric, peripheral polyarthritis. It is the most common form of chronic inflammatory arthritis and often results in joint damage and physical disability.

When to suspect -
* the incidence of ra peaks between 25 n 55 yr of age.
*early morning joint stiffness lasting more than one hour and easing with physical activity.
*earliest involved joints typically the small joints of the hands and feet.
*the wrist metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints stand out as the most frequently involved joints.
*flexor tendon tenosynovitis is a frequent hallmark of ra.
*deformities are swan neck deformity, z. Line deformity.

Extra-articular feature -
*neurologic-atlantoaxial dislocation, cervical myelopathy.
*hematological anemia of chronic disease.
*gi-vasculitis.
* skeletal -osteoporosis,
*pulmonary-plural effusion, pulmonary nodules, lung disease
*cardiac-pericarditis, ihd, myocarditis.
*renal-membranous nephrology.
*skin- rheumatoid nodules.

Investigation -
The clinical diagnosis of ra is largely based on signs and symptoms of chronic inflammatory arthritis, with laboratory radiographic results providing important supplemental information.

Homeopathic remedies {treatment} -
*aconite nap-acute attack of gout of the feet. Pain with bright red swelling
*Bryonia. Alb -pain with inflammation, worse by movements.
* rhus tox-complaints worse after rest n exposure to cold, better by movements.
*pulsatilla-pain worse during rest, night, and warmth, better by cold, open-air, and movement.
*abrotanum- rheumatic pain or arthritis after checked diarrhea.
*iodium-rheumatic pain without swelling, painful joints, worse at night.
*platina-unbearable pain, rigidity and stiffness. Superiority, inferiority complex.
*sepia-rheumatic pain, worse after washing clothes, doing laundry work.
* sulfur-rheumatism accompanied with skin ailments and itching, can not walk erect.
*Natrum Phos-rheumatism of the knee joint, with roundworm.