RA affects around 800,000 people in the UK and once your condition has been properly diagnosed, it’s important for you to discuss an effective pain management strategy so the condition doesn’t continue to degenerate and cause you even more pain and disability.
Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by the body’s immune system turning on itself, attacking the joints and causing painful inflammation. A progressive condition that needs medical treatment, RA can affect any of your joints but the hands, wrists and feet are the most common areas for the disease to take hold. As RA is a systemic disease, it can spread to other parts of your body and many patients will report a general feeling of ill health, fatigue and flu-like symptoms all the time.
Your GP will refer you to hospital to see a rheumatoid specialist who will confirm the diagnosis through blood tests and clinical examinations, then place you on medication that will control the inflammation and prevent further damage to your joints, as well as prescribe pain relief medication. Talk frankly with your consultant about lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise that may help you manage your condition better.
There are other steps you can take as an individual. The joints affected by RA will be sore but it’s important to keep them as flexible as possible, moving them through gentle exercise that strengthens and stretches them. You will quickly know the limitations of your body and should always know when to stop if the pain becomes too much.
Proper rest is important to revive tired joints but try to get a healthy balance between rest and activity that helps your joints and your wellbeing. If you suffer a lengthy period of pain after doing certain things, cut back on those particular activities. Use ice on inflamed joints and keep your limbs elevated to reduce swelling after any strenuous activity.
It may take some perseverance to achieve a good management plan for your rheumatoid arthritis but the long-term benefits are clear to see.