There are myths about rheumatoid arthritis, according to which rheumatoid arthritis affects one percent of the world's population, but it is a cruel and widespread disease still causes many disputes. There are many misunderstandings and inconsistencies on the topic of rheumatoid arthritis, scientists say.
What is Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis - is predominantly a disease of the joints. But the disease and medications used in the treatment can have effects on the skin and create problems such as sensitivity to sun, rash, and seal tissues, called nodules.
Arthritis - a fairly common disease and rheumatoid arthritis
Arthritis - a variety of forms and complications
It is often confused with other forms of arthritis. In addition, rheumatoid arthritis is poorly understood. Research and new drugs are constantly changing picture of the disease. Even the experts still have a long time to study rheumatoid arthritis. There are several myths about this widespread disease and unusual.
Myth №1: Rheumatoid Arthritis - Arthritis is a regular
Reality: Rheumatoid Arthritis - Arthritis is not normal. What we consider a conventional arthritis - osteoarthritis is caused by damaged or worn joints. Osteoarthritis affects people of middle and old age.
By comparison, rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis - when the sore joints
- A chronic and progressive disease. In response to the unknown impulses our body produces antibodies and affects the body's own tissues. This action affects the joints, and can also affect other parts of the body. The impact of the disease and inflammation periodically or permanently hurt people.
Significant confusion occurs between concepts such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. And even more confusing it is when a person suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis ill.
Myth №2: Rheumatoid arthritis suffer in old age
The reality is that most people suffer from rheumatoid arthritis at the age of thirty to fifty-five years.
This basic age group, according to doctors, but anyone can get sick with rheumatoid arthritis, even a teenager. At the same time, old age rheumatoid arthritis carry heavy because it is progressive in nature, and can last for a long time.
Myth №3: Rheumatoid Arthritis is not a serious disease
Reality: Rheumatoid Arthritis threatens your health and life, especially at the wrong treatment.
Many people treat rheumatoid arthritis as rheumatism
Rheumatic fever - are possible complications of heart
And they are very much mistaken. They lay their visit to the doctor often for months or years, and during this time may occur irreversible changes.
Rheumatoid arthritis should be diagnosed and prescribe adequate treatment. This can greatly affect your ability to live. Rheumatoid arthritis may increase the risk of other diseases, such as cardiovascular, or pulmonary infectious diseases, and they often occur in people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.
Myth №4: Rheumatoid arthritis leads to a wheelchair or nursing home
Reality: rheumatoid arthritis develops in each person in different ways, but most people continue their normal life.
The progressive rheumatoid arthritis can lead to disability. Most research in this area has been conducted over the past thirty years. This happened in a different era, before doctors started practicing treatment with methotrexate and before, new biological agents. Medicine has made a huge step in the treatment of this disease. Today, the vast majority of people with the appropriate treatment of coping well with rheumatoid arthritis, as evidenced by their mobility and normal life.
This is confirmed by recent research: Ninety percent of the people, about ten years with rheumatoid arthritis, lead a normal life.
Myth №5: Most people with rheumatoid arthritis incapacitated
Reality: the usual working life will have to change due to the disease rheumatoid arthritis, but that does not mean disability.
This myth may have been true in the past, mainly due to the treatment. Of course, many people will be needed in the relief work, or restrictions on the activities during an exacerbation. But the majority of people with rheumatoid arthritis continues to operate normally.
Studies do show that people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis for more than ten years, reduced their working capacity.
Myth №6: Drugs for rheumatoid arthritis can be toxic, so it is best to wait until the disease progresses
This must be the most dangerous myth, as experts warn. There is evidence that treatment of rheumatoid arthritis at an early stage can prevent joint damage and disability. Ideally, treatment should begin as soon as possible after diagnosis. If you delay treatment, it can lead to the worst consequences.
Numerous studies have given rise to speculation that the early stages of treatment can prevent the development of rheumatoid arthritis in many people. It is true that the medicines used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, can have side effects. But rarely side effects cause greater harm than the refusal to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Simple blood tests and a visit to the doctor can help detect those side effects, which create a cure for rheumatoid arthritis.
Myth №7: Most people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis are prone to cancer
Reality: People who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, a little more at risk of developing lymphoma (a blood cancer), but the risk is very low. Even with the increased risk of quite a small number of people with rheumatoid arthritis is subject to the emergence of lymphoma.
For example, one study of more than two thousand people with rheumatoid arthritis for eight years showed that only eleven of them became ill with lymphoma. The known data, from three to eight people not suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, a disease lymphoma undergone the same period of time.
Increasing the number of cases associated with inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis, as well as in connection with medication, experts say. However, most people with rheumatoid arthritis do not suffer from cancer.
Methotrexate may increase the risk. Despite this, rheumatologists stand up for the drug, believing that it is necessary to weigh the risk and benefits. Failure to treat rheumatoid arthritis often leads to disastrous consequences, although lymphoma is not the most common of these are usually progresses slowly and well treated.
It's nice to know that the risk of colon cancer
Colon cancer: creeps imperceptibly
decreased forty percent of the people with rheumatoid arthritis. One theory claims that the frequent use of medications such as aspirin, Motrin and ibuprofen, patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, to help prevent colon cancer.
Myth number 8: painful joints forces to carry out the major part of the day in idleness
Reality: on the contrary, the joints of those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, in need of stretching and exercises.
Doctors recommend that people stay mobile, taking medication, and encourage the implementation of exercise and physical activity. Sometimes rest is needed, but most people with rheumatoid arthritis should move more and exercise. Immobility may be helpful for some people with rheumatoid arthritis. When joints are painful and stressful, quite naturally avoid movements. However, a fixed way of life - a vicious circle. The muscles around the joint effect on his condition. All muscles need regular activity to maintain normal mobility, otherwise we will lose it.
- Anyone who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, must be held exercise.
- Stretching exercises require minimal stress and help keep joints mobile.
- Aerobic exercise improves the condition of the joints, as well as physical and mental health.
- Too strenuous exercise should be avoided.
