Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a challenging condition in which the defense system of your body mistakenly fights its own joint linings. This condition falls under the categories of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, where healthy cells are the targets of your body's defense. As the leading arthritis doctors serving Kenilworth, we’ve found rheumatoid arthritis has a preference for multiple joints, such as those in your hands, wrists, and knees. Inflammation in these areas leads to discomfort and harm to the joint tissue. If left unchecked, this harm can spiral into chronic pain, balance issues, or deformities.
The signs and symptoms of RA can be unpredictable, with bad spells known as flares, and good times referred to as remission. The symptoms at our Kenilworth rheumatoid arthritis treatment clinic vary widely and can include:
- Multi-joint pain, tenderness, and swelling
- Morning stiffness in the joints
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Symmetrical symptoms on both sides of the body
- Weakness
- Hard lumps known as rheumatoid nodules
A combination of genetic and environmental elements can increase a person's likelihood of getting rheumatoid arthritis. Our Kenilworth-area arthritis doctors have seen RA show up at any age, it becomes more probable as you get older, with people in their sixties being the most vulnerable. Certain inherited traits also play a role. For instance, people who carry the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II genotypes are more likely to get rheumatoid arthritis, especially if they smoke or are overweight. Research reveals that RA is two-to-three times more common in women than men.
If the doctors at our arthritis treatment clinic in Kenilworth catch your rheumatoid arthritis early, within 6 months of the symptoms starting, is crucial. This allows for treatment to commence, slowing down or even stopping the advancement of the conditions. Rheumatologists, being experts in this field, are skilled at correctly diagnosing and treating RA, given its symptom similarities with other inflammatory diseases.
Contact CORE Medical & Wellness and our rheumatoid arthritis doctors in Kenilworth to discover how your chronic pain can be relieved!