Rheumatoid Arthritis & Weight Loss

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS & WEIGHT LOSS

Rheumatoid Arthritis

MEDICAL MANAGEMENT

01. IMMEDIATE WEIGHT LOSS SCIENTIFICALLY.

02. CONTRAST BATH.

03. PHYSIOTHERAPY.

04. PHERMACOTHERAPY.

05. NUTRITIONAL TREATMENT.

06. INTRAMUSCULAR STRENGTHENING.

PR EQUATION PROPERLY.

KNOW MORE ABOUT R.A

About Rheumatoid Arthritis

Receiving a Diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Maybe it starts when you wake up: your feet hurt, making it difficult to walk across the floor. Buttoning your shirt takes longer to do, and your ring doesn’t fit over your swollen finger. You’re sorer than usual after your daily walk. You think perhaps you’re just getting older, but after a few months, you check with your doctor. A set of blood tests and a thorough exam reveals that it’s rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Now what?

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

RA is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes small joints to swell up and hurt. It affects an estimated 1.3 million Americans by attacking the hands, feet, and wrists. It may progress to the knees, elbows, hips, and shoulders. In severe cases, RA inflammation can form in critical body organs like the eyes, blood vessels, heart, and lungs, and may increase risk of anemia and heart attack.

RA symptoms range from slightly problematic to disabling, and can make even simple daily tasks more difficult.

What Causes Rheumatoid Arthritis?

A properly functioning immune system protects the body’s tissues from viruses and bacteria. However, immune cells mistakenly attack the body’s own tissues—namely, the smooth lining of the joints, called the synovium—in individuals with RA.

The synovium produces the fluid that lubricates and nourishes cartilage in the joint. When the immune cells attack, they cause inflammation, which gradually destroys cartilage and erodes bone. Over time, joints become deformed and permanently damaged.

Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis :-

Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis can be painful and frustrating. Joints feel swollen, stiff, and sore. During a flare-up, they ache more than usual, making it difficult to open a jar, spread butter on toast, or type on a keyboard.

RA can also cause morning stiffness, fatigue, insomnia, and flu-like symptoms. Some people don’t feel like eating and may lose weight. About 20 percent of people with RA will develop lumps or nodules under the skin.

Who’s at Risk?

Though RA can affect anyone at any time, it’s more likely to attack women than men. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that about 60 percent of people with RA are women. Risk increases with age and is highest for those between 40 and 60 years old. Scientists also believe there may be a genetic factor. People with family members who suffer from RA or another autoimmune disease may be at a higher risk for RA themselves.

Preventable Risk Factors :-

You can’t do anything about your gender, age, or genetic makeup. You can, however, avoid cigarettes, or quit smoking. According to a 2011 study published in the Annals of Rheumatic Disease, smoking was associated with an increased risk of RA. The more cigarettes participants smoked per day, the more their risk increased.

A 2012 study published in Rheumatology confirmed that smoking increased the risk of RA, and noted that obesity may be a risk factor as well.

  

 How Is RA Diagnosed?

Doctors use a variety of tests to diagnosis RA. No one test is definitive, but several tests can provide an accurate picture. Blood tests will look for specific antibodies related to the disease, as well as for markers that indicate inflammation. An ultrasound, X-ray, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows the doctor to check for damage in the joint. A sample of the synovial fluid from the joint may also show irregularities that indicate the presence of the disease.

    What Can My Sed Rate Tell Me?

Sed rate is one way to assess inflammation. Short for erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), this test measures how fast red blood cells settle in a test tube. Inflammation can make blood cells lump together, causing them to settle more quickly. A high sed rate means greater inflammation.

However, it isn’t the only test to measure inflammation, and a high sed rate doesn’t mean you have RA. But the test can signal an inflammatory disease like RA, and your doctor may use it to help diagnose and monitor the disease.

    What Are the Treatments for RA?

Unfortunately, there is no cure for RA. Treatments include a number of different approaches to help reduce symptoms, slow joint damage, support flexibility, and help individuals to maintain their independence.

Various medications, including anti-inflammatories, corticosteroids, immunosupressants, and antirheumatic drugs can help relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and slow joint damage. Physical therapy can help maintain flexibility, while devices like gripping and grabbing tools can prolong independent living. Surgery is a last result to help repair damaged joints.

    Complementary Therapies :-

In addition to traditional treatments, alternative methods for treating RA are also available. For example, applying heat to inflamed joints can help relieve pain, as can taking a hot bath or shower. Alternating hot packs with cold packs may also ease symptoms.

All types of low-impact exercise such as swimming, biking, walking, yoga, and tai chi have been shown to relieve pain and improve mobility. Fish oil supplements and acupuncture may be effective. Mind-body therapies like meditation, hypnosis, and biofeedback may help reduce stress, which may reduce perception of pain.

   

   Living with RA:-

Living with RA can present many challenges. Fortunately, research is ongoing, and the future of treatment looks promising. Find out as much as you can about your condition and don’t be afraid to talk with your doctor. Ask for help when you need it and try different treatment techniques to maintain your confidence, independence, and optimism.Living with RA can present many challenges. Fortunately, research is ongoing, and the future of treatment looks promising. Find out as much as you can about your condition and don’t be afraid to talk with your doctor. Ask for help when you need it and try different treatment techniques to maintain your confidence, independence, and optimism. 

NUTRITIONAL MANAGEMENT FOR R.A :-

You are what you eat

The foods you eat do more than fill your belly — they also give your body the nutrients it needs to thrive. What you eat can affect how you feel today as well as how you feel years from now.

Some foods can deplete your energy, impair your digestive system, and raise your risk of health problems. Other foods fuel your body’s natural disease-fighting abilities. Click through the slideshow to learn about high-vitamin foods that can help you get the nutrition you need..

Foods high in vitamin A :-

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble nutrient. It helps your body form healthy teeth, bones, soft tissues, and skin. It can also help you ward off bacterial and viral infections, prevent night blindness, and keep your hair and nails healthy.

Foods that are particularly high in vitamin A include:

carrots

sweet potatoes

winter squash

cantaloupe

apricots

spinach, kale, and collard greens

Some spices are also high in vitamin A, including paprika, red pepper, cayenne, and chili powder.

Vitamins B-6, B-12, and B-9 are essential for proper nerve function, the synthesis of DNA, and the formation of red blood cells in your body. They also help maintain your brain function, prevent anemia, and support metabolism.

Foods that are particularly high in vitamins B-6 and B-12 include:

meat, poultry, and fish

seafood, including mussels and oysters

eggs

milk

Foods that are particularly high in B-9, or folic acid, include leafy green vegetables and poultry. Some breakfast cereals, fruit juices, and other products are fortified with folic acid.

Vitamin C is also known as ascorbic acid. It’s a powerful antioxidant that helps protect the health of your cells. It improves your body’s iron absorption. It’s also important for promoting healthy teeth and gums, healing wounds, and helping you resist infection.

Foods that are particularly high in vitamin C include:

papaya

citrus fruits

strawberries

bell peppers

broccoli

Brussels sprouts

dark leafy greens, such as kale, mustard greens, and chard.

MILK /EGG

Vitamin D is a unique vitamin. On top of absorbing it from foods you eat, your body can also synthesize it from sunlight. It’s critical for the health of your bones and immune system, as well as calcium absorption. According to the National Cancer Institute, it may also help lower your risk of developing colorectal cancer.

Though sunshine is by far the richest source of vitamin D, foods that also provide vitamin D include:

    some seafood, such as salmon, herring, catfish, trout, and oysters

    milk

    eggs

    shiitake mushrooms.

ALMONDS

Foods high in vitamin E

Like vitamin C, vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant. It helps protects your cells from damage. It also helps your body use vitamin K and repair muscle cells.

Foods that are particularly high in vitamin E include:

    sunflower seeds and almonds

    spinach, Swiss chard, and turnip greens

    bell peppers

    asparagus.

Foods high in vitamin K

Leafy Vegetable

Vitamin K is critical for your body’s formation of blood clots. Without it, you could bleed to death from a simple cut. It may also help maintain bone strength in older adults.

Foods that are particularly high in vitamin K include:

    kale, spinach, collard greens, Swiss chard, turnip greens, and mustard greens

    romaine lettuce

    parsley

    Brussels sprouts

    broccoli

    asparagus.

 Stock up on vitamin-rich foods :-

It may be tempting to turn to supplements to get your fill of vitamins. But according to the Office of Dietary Supplements, popping a pill is no substitute for a well-balanced diet. To get the nutrients you need, stock up on high-vitamin foods that are known to pack a nutritious punch.

If you suspect you may be missing crucial nutrients in your diet, talk to your doctor or dietitian. They may recommend changes to your eating habits. They may also encourage you to add a supplement to your daily routine.

 Put your healthy eating plan into action :-

Vegetable

Eating a well-balanced diet can help you get the nutrients your body needs to function properly. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seafood are rich sources of many vitamins. Incorporate a variety of them into your daily diet for optimum health and wellness.