Rheumatoid arthritis: what is dangerous, who suffers from it and how to identify the disease in the early stages

Rheumatoid arthritis is very insidious. Nothing bothers a person yet, but antibodies have already appeared in his body that attack his own tissues. What subtle symptoms should alert you and is it possible to stop the development of the disease?

At risk

Joint pain and stiffness for more than 30 minutes in the morning or in the second half of the night may be symptoms indicating the onset of rheumatoid arthritis. According to the Ministry of HEALTH, in 2022 in Belarus, 22 thousand people suffered from this disease. At the same time, the chief rheumatologist of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus , Natalya Martusevich, notes an increase in the number of patients among children and adolescents, which causes extreme concern among doctors.

However, rheumatoid arthritis is more common in women aged 30-50 years. Those who already had carriers of this disease in their family are in the area of ​​special attention. In such cases, the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis increases 16 times. The “trigger” can be physical stress, emotional shock, infection, severe fatigue, hormonal changes, overweight and obesity, smoking, ALCOHOL consumption, physical inactivity.

Time matters

With rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system begins to perceive the tissues of its own body as foreign and produce pathological antibodies. Accumulating in the body, they damage joints , causing them to become inflamed, deformed and destroyed. As the disease progresses, the heart, blood vessels, kidneys and other organs and systems are drawn into this process.

Most often, the first targets of rheumatoid arthritis are the small joints of the fingers, hands and wrists. They are affected symmetrically: if it hurts on the right hand, the same thing will happen with the left. General symptoms may occur: weakness, fatigue, fever up to 37.5°C.

Rheumatoid arthritis most commonly affects the small joints of the hands and feet, but in some patients it begins with arthritis of the knees or shoulders, which sometimes lengthens the path to diagnosis. Rheumatoid arthritis is incurable, and the risk of becoming disabled as a result is high. However, with proper treatment, remission can be achieved.

Why is the timing of correct diagnosis in this disease so important? According to WHO experts, the most effective period of time in terms of response to therapy for rheumatoid arthritis is from 3 to 6 months from the onset of the disease. In our country, its treatment is based on the concept of treat to target - treatment until the goal is achieved. It consists of a step-by-step correction of treatment with an observation interval of three months. This allows the disease to be brought under control and increases the patient's chances of remission.

Doctors select medications for patients with rheumatoid arthritis individually, but there are a number of general rules. Among them is compulsory physical therapy. Gymnastics for joints can delay disability by 7-10 years! At the same time, the DOCTOR prescribes drugs that stop destructive changes in the joints or inhibit their development. Patients receive this medicine free of charge.

If the patient does not follow the recommendations or take those prescribed by the attending physician, then the disease quickly progresses and leads to disability, when doctors are no longer powerless to change anything.

Foods to help relieve joint pain

· Grape. Reduces inflammation and joint pain thanks to the plant compound it contains - proanthocyanidin.

· Citrus fruits are high in vitamin C and help prevent inflammation and joint pain.

· Broccoli. Contains sulforaphane, which relieves joint pain and helps reduce the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

· Garlic. It has strong anti-inflammatory properties and prevents the development of osteoarthritis and its painful symptoms.

· Red beans. Also rich in fiber, like whole grains, and reduces C-reactive protein levels. In addition, it is rich in protein, folic acid, iron, magnesium and potassium, which strengthen the immune system.

· Green tea. Contains a compound called polyphenol, which is anti-inflammatory and relieves pain.

· Fatty fish. Salmon, tuna and trout are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which fight inflammation and quickly reduce joint pain. High levels of vitamin D also help reduce symptoms of arthritis and similar diseases.

· Whole grain products. For example, oatmeal and brown rice reduce levels of C-reactive protein in the blood. This protein has been linked to several diseases, including arthritis.

· Low-fat dairy products. Yogurt, MILK and cheese are rich in calcium and vitamin D, which strengthen bones and the immune system.

It is recommended to exclude SALT , vinegar, hot seasonings, white bread and sweets from the menu ; it is advisable to reduce the consumption of MEAT, sweet fruits (bananas), strong tea and coffee . Also prohibitedalcohol _

| Material from the newspaper "7 days", photos from open Internet sources.

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