World Rheumatoid Arthritis Day is celebrated every year on 2 February to raise awareness about rheumatoid arthritis, an inflammatory disease that affects the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), another name for rheumatoid disease, is an autoimmune disease in which the body attacks the lining of the joints and damages it, mistaking it for foreign material. This causes pain and swelling. Although it can affect people of any age, gender, race or ethnicity, women are more likely to be affected (2.5 times more likely than men). The most common age group is between 20 and 50. As we look at this opportunity, let’s understand its signs and symptoms. (Also read: Rheumatoid Arthritis in Young Adults: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment ,
History of Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Day
Alfred B. Garrod first used the term “rheumatoid arthritis” to describe the disease in 1858. It was previously confused with osteoarthritis. Garrod defined the term and distinguished between the two. There used to be traditional treatments like blood letting and lye. Medicines containing heavy metals began to show some promise. Until 1949, painkillers were not widely available.
The first methotrexate treatment became available in 1988. However, some patients experience relapse after a few months or weeks of remission. Later, in 2011, a group of patients founded the Rheumatoid Patient Foundation. The goal of the organization is to increase public awareness of the disease and available treatments. In 2013, the charity launched Rheumatoid Awareness Day to raise awareness and dispel some of the common misconceptions about the disease.
Importance of Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Day
Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Day is an important day to raise awareness about this chronic autoimmune disease that affects millions of people around the world. The day serves as a platform to educate the public, advocate for early diagnosis and treatment, and support people living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). By raising awareness, encouraging research initiatives and promoting access to care, the day plays an important role in improving the quality of life of people affected by RA and furthering efforts to find a cure. It also provides solidarity and encouragement to patients, caregivers and health care professionals in the journey of managing this complex disease.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Signs and Symptoms
“A common type of arthritis with unique characteristics is rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It typically affects small joints, particularly in the wrists, fingers, and feet. Accurate diagnosis and successful treatment of rheumatoid arthritis depends on an understanding of its distinctive characteristics. Depends. In rheumatoid arthritis the immune system breaks down, causing white blood cells to attack the joint lining. The inflammation caused by this autoimmune response causes discomfort and edema in the joints. Appropriate treatment regimens and strategies are tailored. It is essential to understand the immunological foundations of RA,” says Dr. Girish Kakde, Consultant – Rheumatologist, Sahyadri Super Specialty Hospital, Deccan Gymkhana, Pune.
He further shared with HT Digital, “When it comes to the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, it is essential to consider a range of indicators. Patients typically experience joint swelling, which usually occurs in the hands, fingers. , affects the feet and knees. It may manifest as pain, tenderness, swelling, warmth, redness, and stiffness. Some additional symptoms include joint stiffness that is usually worse in the morning and after inactivity, and morning stiffness that lasts 30 minutes or longer.
“Additional signs and symptoms may include weakness and swelling in the joints, tiredness, fever, and loss of appetite. It is also important to remember that multiple joints are usually affected, including small joints such as the wrists and specific joints of the hands and feet. Joints are often affected. They are the first to be affected. Apart from the joints, RA can affect various organs of the body in the long run, such as the eyes, lungs, blood vessels, heart and kidneys. Timely diagnosis and proper treatment of RA. Can prevent these complications,” says Dr Girish.
He revealed, “Young people are more likely to develop RA, which can have a significant impact on the wrists, fingers and feet. The typical symptoms of RA, such as fatigue, stiffness in the morning and chronic pain, are partly caused by The immune system’s mistaken attack on the joint lining in the body. It’s important to remember that rheumatoid arthritis isn’t just for the elderly.”
“Since different types of arthritis can appear in people as young as 50 or 60, it is important to take into account the broad age range when diagnosing and treating these disorders. Accurate diagnosis and treatment of arthritis disorders requires unique patterns of can be facilitated by understanding the joint involvement and immune system function in rheumatoid arthritis,” Dr. Girish concluded.
