Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease in which immune cells attack normal joints for no reason and cause inflammation, resulting in pain and damage to joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is so common that 1-2% of the total population is suffering. However, contrary to what is known, it is not just a 'joint disease'. Inflammation continues throughout the body, and the risk of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and cancer increases.
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The cause of rheumatoid arthritis has yet to be determined. It is known that autoimmune reactions are triggered when environmental factors such as smoking and female hormones work on people with genetic predisposition. Rheumatoid arthritis is more common in middle-aged people than in young people. This is because the probability of immune cells showing abnormalities increases with age.
There is a story that lactobacillus helps prevent and treat rheumatoid arthritis. "There is no clear basis for this," said Seo Chang-hee, a professor of rheumatology at Ajou University Hospital. "As intestinal bacteria are known to be involved in the development of rheumatoid arthritis, additional research is needed, and there is no clear study on which bacteria are helpful and bad." There is no problem taking lactobacillus for intestinal health, but it should not be used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Professor Seo Chang-hee said, "Many health supplements on the market should also be recognized that they are not effective or studied for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, and they should be prescribed proven treatments along with accurate tests."
Since rheumatoid arthritis progresses rapidly, two to three types of drugs must be administered in combination immediately after diagnosis. Steroids are sometimes used for a short period of time during acute periods. Antirheumatoid drugs are prescribed in a way that uses the maximum dose and reduces the dose when the inflammation stabilizes over time. If it is not effective against anti-leutis drugs for more than six months, biological agents should be used. Biological preparations include oral medications and injections.
Inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis should be controlled quickly and well. This is because if the joint is damaged due to inflammation, it is irreversible. Rheumatoid arthritis is not such an easy disease. Inflammation progresses rapidly, and joints can be damaged within one to two years of onset. Damage to joints interferes with daily life such as brushing, washing, and washing dishes.
Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by inflammation from small joints such as fingers, swelling and redness of joints, and "tidal stiffness." Early stiffness refers to when you wake up in the morning, when your joints are stiff, making it difficult to move, and then relieving symptoms while doing activities. The duration of early morning stiffness is longer than expected. There are many cases where there is not a brief stiffness for one to two hours in the morning, but it does not work out until the afternoon and improves little by little. In addition, unlike degenerative arthritis, there is a severe heat sensation around the joint. If you have early morning stiffness, your joints are not just stiff, but symptoms are so clear that it is difficult to brush your teeth and wash your face in the morning.
Writer: Yeyoung Jeon
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