Have you been referred to a rheumatologist by your primary care physician because you have been experiencing several months of pain, swelling, and tenderness in your hands, wrists, and feet? Could you also be experiencing morning stiffness that tends to last for more than an hour? Is it accompanied by having less energy than usual, and you seem to get tired frequently? After undergoing several physical examinations and tests, there is a high possibility that your rheumatologist might diagnose that you have rheumatoid arthritis. When it happens, you might not know what action to take. However, with a reputable specialist like Jeffrey Miller MD, who has a wealth of education, training, and experience in osteoporosis and rheumatology, you are guaranteed to find a path toward renewed health and better joint function. If you happen to have rheumatoid arthritis, it can be very debilitating. Here are some of the things you need to know:
Rheumatoid Arthritis is Inflammatory
Unlike osteoarthritis, if you do not treat rheumatoid arthritis, the consequences can be life-threatening. It can also be organ-threatening. Once you are diagnosed with the disease, you must seek help from a specialist immediately to try and treat it before it is too late. One of the risk factors that you might encounter if you have rheumatoid arthritis is getting cardiovascular disease. Luckily, with excellent treatment, you can get back on the right path to recovery.
Symptoms are Incredibly Painful
One of the characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis is that it starts in the joints, but the pain can be felt all over the body. You are likely to experience joint pain, tenderness, swelling, or stiffness, especially in the morning. You might also experience fatigue, loss of appetite, and some fever. The worst thing about feeling pain in your joints is that your whole body feels weak. You feel ill all the time, and it becomes quite challenging to even get sleep at night due to the pain. At first, you experience the symptoms in your hand and feet joints, and if you do not seek help, it spreads to the rest of the body.
Women are More Susceptible to Rheumatoid Arthritis Than Men
Research shows that rheumatoid arthritis tends to affect women at a younger age than men. The reason behind it is not entirely clear yet, but it has been attributed to genetic predisposition, fluctuating hormones, different immune systems, and issues like stress. Women tend to get affected by the disease from 20 to 60 years old. As for men, rheumatoid arthritis happens in the later stages of life.
Exercise Can be Helpful
Exercise has been identified as one of the best mood boosters and also improves overall health and function. Low or no impact aerobic exercises like cycling and walking can often be quite helpful. You can also incorporate strengthening exercises for supporting your joints and flexibility exercises to keep your range of motion at its best.
Rheumatoid arthritis is different for everyone. The effect it will have on you will not be the same as those of someone else. Some joint symptoms take a lot of time to manifest themselves while others come on more quickly. You must understand your situation and get the proper care as soon as possible.
