The city of Sarasota is renowned for its medical innovations, which have enabled many locals to live healthy, secure lives free from health issues. Along with that, numerous health organizations are identifying treatments for various uncommon illnesses and battling symptoms before they become serious health risks, and the same applies to rheumatoid arthritis.
Unfortunately, 71 out of every 100,000 people are diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis yearly. That makes the rheumatologist in Port Charlotte, FL, a necessity for the residents of Sarasota.
So, this article will tell you everything you need to know about rheumatoid arthritis.
What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition that causes chronic inflammation and affects many joints, including the hands and feet. The body’s immune system attacks its parts, including joints and tissues, in rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, internal organs are attacked in severe cases.
Joint linings are impacted by rheumatoid arthritis, which results in painful swelling. In addition, Rheumatoid arthritis-related inflammation can also result in joint deformity and bone erosion over an extended period. Meanwhile, the condition has no known treatment, but physiotherapy and medication can slow the disease’s progression.
The Cause of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Due to the immune system’s attack on healthy body tissue, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, but the cause of this is not yet understood. But, many rheumatologists are still figuring out ways to understand
So in order to fight infection, your immune system typically produces antibodies that target viruses and bacteria. And your immune system inadvertently sends antibodies to the lining of your joints if you have rheumatoid arthritis, where they attack the tissue surrounding the joint. As such, your joints’ synovium, a thin layer of cells covering them, becomes painful and inflamed; as a result, chemicals released harm the area around it, which includes:
- The flexible connective tissue between bones called the cartilage.
- Bones
- The tissue that connects bone to a muscle called a tendon.
- The ligaments, which are connective tissue between bone and cartilage.
Factors That Increase the Chance of Rheumatoid Arthritis
A number of factors may increase the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, and some of them are:
- Hormones: Oestrogen may impact rheumatoid arthritis in women more than in men, although this association has not been established.
- Genetics: According to some evidence, rheumatoid arthritis may run in families, but the likelihood of inheriting the condition is thought to be low because genes are thought to only have a minor influence on the disease.
- Smoking: According to some data, people who smoke are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis.
Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Joint pain, swelling, and stiffness are the primary signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Additionally, it might result in inflammation in other body regions and more widespread symptoms.
Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms frequently appear gradually over a period of weeks, but in some cases, they can appear suddenly for days. Meanwhile, each individual experiences different symptoms, and they could change over time or come and go. And when your condition worsens, and your symptoms worsen, you might experience flares.
The joints are primarily impacted by rheumatoid arthritis. And although it can affect any joint in the body, the hands and feet’s small joints are frequently the first to experience problems.
The Sarasota medical community is working to find treatments that might slow the progression of rheumatoid arthritis. As such, you can easily find a rheumatologist in Port Charlotte, FL, who specializes in this area and develops various treatments. So, if you are affected by this condition, you don’t have to worry since you can consult a rheumatologist.