Watch this video where Ola explains what Rheumatoid Arthritis is and how to recognise the condition in your feet.
What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
It’s a chronic, destructive autoimmune condition affecting the joints, mainly the small joints of the hands, wrists and feet. Symptoms are joint pain, swelling, stiffness in the joints – especially after rest – redness and heat.
Who Does Rheumatoid Arthritis Affect?
It affects 1% of the population, mainly women, usually around the age of 50 to 60.
It affects people with a family history of rheumatoid arthritis and smokers.
What Are the Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Symptoms are joint pain, swelling, stiffness in the joints – especially after rest – redness and heat. All of these are caused by inflammation and flare-ups are common.
Why Early Diagnosis Is Important
Symptoms can develop fast, not even necessarily months but sometimes weeks and even days. If you think you have the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, please get to the GP quickly.
Why Rheumatoid Arthritis Needs Treatment
Because it’s a degenerative condition it’s essential to treat it as soon as possible to stop it in its tracks (or control it) to prevent symptoms becoming worse.
Severe complications may include heart attack and strokes.
Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Treatment includes medication, physiotherapy, adapting how you do things and possibly surgery.
Rheumatoid arthritis needs to be controlled as far as possible, even if you’re in remission and not suffering symptoms currently. Basically get help, stay well and keep going at life.
If you recognise any of these symptoms in yourself, don’t suffer. Book in and I’ll help you to heal, one way or another.
