Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis, Causes & Treatment

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, in which the body’s immune system attacks the joints. There is a juvenile form, but the disease usually starts in early adulthood or middle age. This form of arthritis affects about two percent of the world’s population, and afflicts more women then men.

Symptoms
• Mild fever, muscle aches and pains, loss of appetite, and weight loss may precede the main symptoms.
• Pain and stiffness—mainly in the small joints of the hands and feet, but also in the wrists, neck, ankles, and knees—that may start suddenly and are worse in the morning and for rest.
• Possible exacerbation of symptoms during menstruation.
• Possible rheumatoid nodules beneath the skin.
• Possible association with Raynaud’s disease or anemia.
• Possible deformation of joints, fluid-filled swelling around joints, and inflammation of the tendon sheaths.

Causes
It is not known why the immune system should start to attack the joints. There may be a genetic tendency; some people with a certain tissue type may be prone to rheumatoid arthritis. The result is that the linings of joint capsules become inflamed. The inflammation spreads to other parts of the joint and even the bones themselves. The process may be triggered by infection, environmental pollutants, stress, or taking certain drugs.

Conventional care
Diagnosis is confirmed by X-ray and a blood test that can identify a “rheumatoid factor.” Conventional treatment focuses on reducing inflammation with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and penicillamine or sulfasalazine injections. Failing these, immunosuppressant drugs such as steroids or azathioprine will retard the autoimmune response. Physiotherapy can relieve muscle spasms and stiffness, and splints help to reduce pain in the hands and wrists. Replacement surgery may be necessary if a joint has been damaged.

Homeopathic medicine 
Homeopathy considers rheumatoid arthritis to be a complex condition. A genetic tendency may be addressed by antimiasmatic treatment. Diet and lifestyle will be studied closely, as will stress or psychological factors as potential triggers of the disease. The choice of remedy will largely be determined by individual symptoms. Aurum met. is indicated for destruction of the bone; and Bryonia is used for inflammation and the overproduction of synovial fluid. Calc. phos. affects the maintenance of bones, and is given if they are soft, thin, and brittle. Causticum is prescribed for inflammation of the joints leading to deformity. Iodum, Kali. bich., Lycopodium, and Medorrhinum are also commonly used. Local remedies include Rhus tox., when there is pain on waking and in cold, damp conditions; and Colchicum, for hot, stiff joints, and pain that moves from joint to joint and is agonizing at night or for touch. Iodum is used for joints that feel tight and pain that is worse at night, when the bones are also affected; and Spigelia, for tearing pain near the joints as if a knife were scraping along the bones.

Lifestyle 
A high-alkaline diet is beneficial, as are evening primrose oil, antioxidants, greenlipped mussel extract, brazil nuts, and the wearing of a copper bracelet. Regular but moderate exercise that does not exert pressure on weight-bearing joints is advisable. Swimming is ideal, preferably in a heated pool. Catnaps, or periods of rest with the eyes closed, are beneficial.

C A U T I O N
• If a joint becomes deformed, see a doctor.
• If there are breathing difficulties or chest pains, see a doctor immediately.
• If the eyes are dry and there are lumps in the neck, under the arms, or in the groin, see a doctor as soon as possible.