Rheumatoid arthritis may attack joints and can affect more than one joint at a time. It causes problems in other organs of the body, such as the hands, wrists and knees.
Rheumatoid arthritis can cause tissue damage and chronic pain and imbalance during movement.
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What is rheumatoid arthritis?
It is an immune disease that causes irritation and inflammation of the joints of the body The fluid surrounding the joints causes the fluid to thicken and thus destroy the cartilage and bone associated with the joint. It results in joint wear, damage to joint tissues and permanent deformities, resulting in chronic pain.
Causes of rheumatoid arthritis
The causes of rheumatoid arthritis are not specific as people develop rheumatoid arthritis. As a result of an immune response where the body's immune system attacks healthy cells. But there are some factors that increase your risk of rheumatoid arthritis, including:
- Genetic factors
Some people are carriers of certain genes that cause rheumatoid arthritis. Such as the genes of human leukocyte antigen . This increases their likelihood of developing rheumatoid arthritis when other factors such as smoking or obesity are present.
- lifetime
Although rheumatoid arthritis may affect different ages. But with age, the risk of rheumatoid arthritis increases.
- Sex
Women typically develop rheumatoid arthritis two to three times more often than men.
- Smoking.
- Obesity.
Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis
Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis can be shared with flu symptoms such as weight loss, fatigue and high body temperature. Among the most common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are the following:
- General fatigue.
- Swollen and reddened joints.
- Joint stiffness, which is accompanied by difficulty in moving the affected joint with severe pain while moving. Morning stiffness for at least an hour for 6 weeks is a diagnostic symptom of rheumatoid arthritis.
- Shortness of breath.
- Osteoporosis.
Complications of rheumatoid arthritis
Possible complications of rheumatoid arthritis include:
- Osteoporosis.
- Inability to walk normally.
- It may lead to diseases of the vascular system, especially heart disease.
- Haddock tear ligaments.
- Irritations caused by wrist infections.
- It may affect the patient's daily activities and quality of life.
Diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis in Turkey
The diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis in Turkey begins by the best orthopedic doctor in Turkey. Usually a physical examination, asking your doctor about signs and symptoms, and in addition, your doctor may advise the following:
Erythrocyte deposition rate test
It is an examination in which a blood sample is taken and the speed at which red blood cells are deposited in the blood is measured. Usually a high percentage indicates the presence of inflammation in the body.
Other common blood tests
Screening for rheumatic antibodies such as:
- Rheumatoid factor (RF - Rheumatoid factor)
- Cycloid citrulline peptide antagonists (anti-CCP).
In the early stages of rheumatoid arthritis, the presence of these antibodies in the blood may be a sign of joint damage. It can also be found in people with chronic infections such as
- Tuberculosis.
- Rheumatic autoimmune diseases.
- Lupus.
- Sjogren's syndrome.
Other tests include:
- Examination of fluid in the joint.
- X-ray imaging.
rheumatoid arthritis treatment in Turkey
Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is aimed at reducing inflammation and pain and preventing exacerbation of joint damage. Early treatment can stop joint damage and help reduce the risk of disability, including:
Medications
Anti-rheumatoid arthritis medications can reduce pain and slow down joint damage. These drugs include:
- NSAIDs
- Corticosteroids such as: prednisone work to relieve inflammation and pain and stop the process of joint damage.
- Antirheumatic drugs to change the pattern of the disease such as leflunomide and methotrexate.
- Anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha, which is a protein secreted by a protein cell or cells of the body's immune system
- Anti-anitral leukin receptor medication that contributes to preventing inflammation.
Abatacept: This medication reduces inflammation by inactivating a type of white blood cell.
- Rituximab: reduces the number of B cells in the body, which have a role in the occurrence of inflammation.
Surgery
In cases where drug therapy fails to prevent joint damage, surgery may be used to repair and repair damaged joints. Surgery may help damaged joints regain activity, reduce pain and treat deformities.
Among the surgical methods of treating rheumatoid arthritis in Turkey:
- Total joint replacement.
- Tedon repair.
- Removal of the synovial membrane.
Adjuvant therapies
Adjunct therapies contribute to alleviating the severity of the disease and improving the quality of life. Among the most important auxiliary treatments are the following:
Physical therapy: A physical therapist may help improve fitness, strengthen muscles, and make joints more flexible.
Occupational therapy: An occupational therapist can provide training and guidance that helps the patient protect their joints.
Prevention of rheumatoid arthritis
There are some guidelines that must be followed to prevent rheumatoid arthritis, most notably:
- Follow a healthy lifestyle, while maintaining a healthy weight.
- Stop smoking.
- Practice physical activity weekly.
- Ensure bone health by measuring bone density.
We have shed light on everything related to rheumatoid arthritis in Turkey. For more information about the best orthopedic doctor in Turkey. You can request a free and immediate consultation. You can book an appointment to visit Medicsey Center using our website. With its medical staff with more than 30 years of experience, it strives to provide the best results at the best acceptable prices.
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