| RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS | | | | swelling. |
| Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease | | | | Loss of the cartilage cushion causes friction between |
| that causes chronic inflammation of the joints. | | | | the bones, leading to pain and limitation of joint mobility. |
| Rheumatoid arthritis can also cause inflammation of | | | | Inflammation of the cartilage can also stimulate new |
| the tissue around the joints, as well as in other organs | | | | bone outgrowths (spurs, also referred to as |
| in the body. | | | | osteophytes) to form around the joints. |
| Rheumatoid arthritis is typically a progressive disease | | | | DIAGNOSIS |
| that cause joint destruction and functional disability. | | | | Blood tests for |
| The disease can begin at any age, but it most often | | | | Rheumatoid factor (RA factor) |
| starts after 40 years of age and before 60 years of | | | | ANA(Antinuclear antibody) test |
| age. | | | | Sedimentation rate and |
| In rheumatoid arthritis, multiple joints are usually inflamed | | | | C-reactive protein tests |
| in a symmetrical pattern (both sides of the body | | | | X-rays |
| affected). | | | | Bone scanning is a radioactive procedure used to |
| CAUSES | | | | demonstrate the inflamed joint. |
| The cause is unknown. | | | | TREATMENT |
| The tendency to develop rheumatoid arthritis may be | | | | Corticosteroids |
| genetically inherited. | | | | In cases with severe joint deformity, surgery may be |
| Environmental factors play some role in causing | | | | necessary. |
| rheumatoid arthritis. | | | | HOMEEOPATHIC THERAPEUTICS |
| For example, smoking tobacco increases the risk of | | | | ACTAEA RACEMOSA: The mainly affected joints |
| developing rheumatoid arthritis. | | | | are big joints |
| SYMPTOMS | | | | Excessive muscular soreness is present |
| Swelling | | | | Restlessness, stiffness and cramping pains are |
| Pain | | | | present |
| Stiffness | | | | Aggravated from sewing, type writing and during |
| Fatigueloss of energylack of appetitelow-grade fever | | | | menses |
| Joint aches | | | | Relieved by rest |
| Deformity of joints | | | | ACTAEA SPICATA: Has more affinity towards small |
| SYMPTOMS of Osteoarthritis | | | | joints |
| The main symptom is acute pain which is a sharp | | | | The joints start aching and swelling after a slight |
| aching one. | | | | exercise |
| Swelling | | | | Extreme tender to touch |
| Joint stiffness | | | | Pains are violent and are worse by touch and |
| Crepitus (a crackling noise on moving the joint) | | | | movement |
| Joints such as at the fingers hard bony enlargements | | | | KALMIA: Caused due to exposure to cold |
| are formed namely | | | | Specially right side is affected |
| Heberden's nodes on the distal interphalangeal joints | | | | There is sensation of numbness, coldness and |
| and | | | | weakness in the limbs |
| Bouchard's nodes on the proximal interphalangeal joints | | | | Joints are hot, red, painful and swollen |
| OA at the toes leads to the formation of bunions. | | | | Pains suddenly go from one joint to another |
| Primary osteoarthritis: | | | | COLCHIUM: Pain in the elbow joint, forearm, ligaments |
| Primary osteoarthritis is mostly related to aging. | | | | of finger joints and of great toes |
| With aging, the water content of the cartilage | | | | Flying and tearing type of pains |
| increases, and the protein makeup of cartilage | | | | Patient screams with pains when touched |
| degenerates. | | | | Better by rest and lying down |
| Eventually, cartilage begins to degenerate by forming | | | | PULSATILLA: Weeping disposition is the main feature |
| tiny crevasses. | | | | Pains comes gradually and disappear suddenly |
| In advanced cases, there is a total loss of cartilage | | | | Pains are accompained by chilliness |
| cushion between the bones of the joints. | | | | Aggravated from hot application and lying on painless |
| Repetitive use of the worn joints over the years can | | | | side |
| irritate and inflame the cartilage, causing joint pain and | | | | Relieved by pressure, cold application. |