Rheumatoid arthritis is an immunity disorder where immunity system of the body gets stimulated and starts attacking healthy body tissues. This disorder causes chronic inflammation around the joints as well as around other parts and organs of the body. Rheumatoid arthritis is also referred as systemic illness.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease which principally attacks synovial joints but it can affect other organs of the body too and in some rare cases cause tissue death. Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis can come and go. When disease is active, swelling of joints, warmth in the joints and immovability of joints particularly in the morning or after a period of inactivity are general symptoms of the disease. Rashes on the joints, fatigue, loss of appetite, low energy levels, mild fever and pain in the muscles are few other symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
The pain, stiffness, swelling and aches in the joints are symmetrical in rheumatoid arthritis which means that it affects the joints on both sides of the body, initially it affects smaller joints like finger or wrist but it can affect larger joints like shoulder and knee too. It can restrict a person from carrying simple tasks like knotting a shirt button or opening a jar by reducing the movement of finger and wrist joints. Voice turning hoarse is also a symptom of this disease though it is very rare.
The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis subside either by treatment or on its own but only for some duration and later reoccur after sometime. This disease may take months or years to cure. The effects of this disease may cause joint deformity, weakening of muscles and bones, loss of cartilage and loss of joint movement completely.
Apart from joints, symptoms of Rheumatoid arthritis can be seen in other parts of the body. It can cause inflammation of the glands of mouth and eyes, inflammation in the lungs to cause chest pain while breathing, inflammation of the tissue around heart, anemia and lumps on the skin around elbows and fingers.
Exact and specific causes of rheumatoid arthritis are yet to be proven though scientists suspect many different reasons as causes for this disease. Few types of viral and bacterial infections are suspected as triggers for this disease. Genetics and life style are also considered as possible causes for this disease. This disease is three times more common in women than in men, which means that psychological factors might also have part to play in the initiation of this immunity disorder in human body. Environmental factors, eating habits and use of insecticides and pesticides are also looked upon as possible causes for this disease. However finding the exact cause for rheumatoid arthritis is one of the biggest points of research in medical science all over the world.
Though causes for rheumatoid arthritis may not be known but alleviation of its symptoms is possible by the massage of herbal oils on the affected parts. The powerful herbs rich in anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties can relieve the pain and swelling of the joints effectively. The herbs are blended to reach deep in the skin to give quick and effective treatment. Better blood flow, relaxed muscles and reduction in swelling in the affected parts helps a lot in dealing with the problems caused by rheumatoid arthritis.
