Introduction
Rheumatoid arthritis is a common joint disorder that usually develops between the ages of 30 and 60. However, there are no specific age criteria for the onset of this disease. Young adults aged 16 to 30 may also be susceptible to it. Rheumatoid arthritis falls under the category of auto-immune diseases.
What Are Auto-Immune Diseases?
The body has its protective shield called immunity. Immunity activates when a foreign particle, bacteria, or virus enters the body. A strong immunity enables the body to fight against these foreign invasions, thus protecting it from external infections. However, in an auto-immune disease, the body cannot differentiate between its cells from those of foreign type. The immune system perceives the body's cells as a threat and attacks them by releasing inflammatory chemicals that harm the body’s structure and disturb its function. They can prove to be serious or, often, even life-threatening.
What Happens in Rheumatoid Arthritis?
The body's joints are protected by an articular capsule consisting of the articular cartilage and the synovial fluid. The articular capsule is joined in conjunction with the outer layer of the bone (the periosteum). The capsule's inner lining, the synovial lining, secretes the lubricating synovial fluid, ensuring reduced friction at the joint site.
Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the body’s immune cells attack the cells in the synovial lining, thus reducing its function and damaging the joint capsule structure. The symptoms that appear followed by this include:
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A red, inflamed joint that is tender to touch.
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Reduced mobility of the joint due to pain and stiffness.
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Symmetrical, bilateral involvement of the joints affected (joints of wrist and hand are affected first).
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One may develop a fever due to the inflammatory response.
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Pain generally occurs in bouts that last for up to weeks or months.
What Causes Rheumatoid Arthritis?
The auto-immunity is solely responsible for the occurrence of rheumatoid arthritis. However, what triggers the body to act in this way still needs to be clarified. Studies have reported various causes :
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Genetic Factors: A family history of rheumatoid arthritis makes one likely to have it, too, if the gene carrying the trait gets triggered or activated for unknown reasons.
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Hormonal Factors: Certain hormones like estrogen, when produced in a low amount, tend to increase the development of rheumatoid arthritis.
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Environmental Factors: External factors like smoking, infection, and physical or emotional stressors play a significant role in the rising cases of rheumatoid arthritis. This article provides a detailed picture of how environmental factors contribute to this debilitating disease.
What Types of Environmental Factors Influence Rheumatoid Arthritis?
When taken literally, environmental factors define external factors like the air quality index, water quality standards, atmospheric conditions where one resides, and one's geographic location on the earth. But when looked at more deeply, environmental factors also refer to the immediate environment, maybe one’s friend circle, family members, spouse, daily habits (like smoking and drinking), and last but not least, one’s internal thoughts.
One can think about where this article is going since none of these factors directly correlate with rheumatoid arthritis. But, according to reports, people who have suffered from traumatic incidents in their childhood have shown a hundred percent probability of developing rheumatoid arthritis in their adulthood. The data has been collected and surveyed from many case studies involving arthritis patients and a control group (people without arthritis). The result displayed a fifty percent increased incidence of arthritic changes in adults who suffered from childhood psychological distress and adverse childhood experiences at least two or more times.
What Are Adverse Childhood Experiences?
The traumatic experiences one encounters during their childhood are cumulatively referred to as adverse childhood experiences. They are called adverse due to their abnormal nature, as no child should be subjected to such unfortunate events. The psychological impact of such bad experiences on one’s brain may stay with them for the entirety of their life.
These experiences vary in range from verbal or mental abuse to straight-up violent mishandling of the child. Some scenarios do not involve the child directly but put them as a witness in the center of all the family arguments, fights, and mentally disturbed households. The upbringing of a child in a toxic environment has proven to be a significant challenge in a child’s brain development and ability to respond to external or internal stressors that they might encounter in their life.
Does Rheumatic Arthritis Occur More In One Gender?
Data has shown the incidence of rheumatoid arthritis to be more inclined towards women as compared to men. The exact etiology of this gender-specific association is not yet clear. One can blame the hormonal imbalance found predominantly in women to be a causative factor for its high prevalence.
What Is the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Symptomatic treatment of rheumatoid arthritis involves improving the swelling and making joint movement as pain-free as possible. The health care provider prescribes various medications that are efficient in bringing about these changes.
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Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs).
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Corticosteroids.
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Disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).
These drugs can be prescribed in combination or as a single drug therapy, although combination administration has shown to be more effective.
Apart from medications, lifestyle changes also greatly improve joint health and mobility. Making the necessary dietary changes and including movement in one’s daily routine is one of the most reliable treatments for this disease. Severely damaged joints may require surgical intervention to restore their function and structure.
Conclusion
Although an unconventional approach, consulting a mental health therapist or counselor to confirm the root source of rheumatoid arthritis can also be included in one of the approaches for its treatment. Childhood psychological trauma plays a huge role in shaping one as a person, and beginning the journey of mental healing is said to reflect on one’s physical well-being as well.
