Description

Rheumatoid Arthritis

It is a systemic disease that affects the whole
body. Pain, warmth, redness and swelling occur as a result of inflammation
of the membrane surrounding the joint. The inflammatory condition becomes
chronic, causing joint deterioration, loss of motion and pain.

Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common inflammatory
rheumatic disease and occurs in 0.5% of the population, mostly in
women. Although the cause of the disease has not been fully explained yet,
there are links with genetic factors and autoimmunity (= the body’s work
against its own tissues) processes.

Typical symptoms of the disease; pain and swelling
in the fingers, usually symmetrically, at night and during the day, and
stiffness, fatigue and weakness in these joints for more than 15 minutes in the
morning. Over time, more joints get sick and with the progression of the
disease, joint deformation occurs. It rarely affects organs (eyes,
salivary and lacrimal glands, skin, heart and lungs).

The disease is diagnosed with clinical findings,
disease-specific laboratory and x-ray findings.

Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis includes medication,
physical therapy and rehabilitation, as well as occupational therapy and
psychotherapy. Surgical treatment may be required in patients with severe
deformation and loss of function in the joints. In drug treatment of
rheumatoid arthritis; Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,
disease-modifying drugs (Methotrexate, chloroquine, leflunamide etc.),
biological agents developed in recent years and intra-articular steroid
injection are used.

Physiotherapy and exercise practices, which are well organized
for the problems that the disease may cause in the joints, should not be
neglected.