What is helpful with RA, and what is rheumatoid arthritis actually? A brief overview
Today, we’re focusing on what is rheumatoid arthritis, what is best to eat, and what can help when suffering from RA.
The term rheumatoid arthritis has become more common lately. This is also due to the fact that this disease is becoming increasingly common (Bach, 2002).
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease of the joints that affects around 1.3 million people in the United States.
You can find out what it means, how to recognize it, diagnose it, what helps against it and which diet is particularly recommended, below.
What does rheumatoid arthritis mean?
Rheumatoid arthritis, one of many known autoimmune diseases, is one of the rheumatic diseases. Rheumatism is an umbrella term for diseases of the joints and connective tissue. Rheumatism and rheumatoid arthritis are, therefore, not the same.
About 54 million people in North America have arthritis (about as many as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis). From these, 24 million suffer from associated movement impairment, and 1.3 million deal with the physical burden of rheumatoid arthritis.
Arthritis is the medical term for inflammation of the joints. And this is what happens with rheumatoid arthritis:
What exactly is RA? – A simple explanation
The immune system is usually there to protect us from pathogens and toxins and to clear dead cells from the body. That is vital. In autoimmune diseases, this distinction between friend and foe is lost. Immune cells suddenly attack the body’s own healthy cells.
In rheumatoid arthritis, cells in the inner skin of the joints are the target of the attack. The joints get severely damaged as a result of the disease. They ignite, swell, hurt, deform and increasingly lose their function.
You can read about the course of the disease and the prognosis here:
What causes rheumatoid arthritis?
The question of why comes directly after the rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis. Why me? What could I have done to prevent it? Am I to blame or is it just “bad luck”?
Autoimmune diseases have increased rapidly for years. The population in the US is constant, as is our genetics. Therefore, the causes of the disease are based on our lifestyle:
Too little nutrients, too many toxins, too unhealthy nutrition, too little nature, too much stress. The list goes on. But the further we move away from nature in our lifestyle, the higher the likelihood of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
You can read about the causes that can scientifically describe the development of the disease here (causes of rheumatoid arthritis).
How do you recognize rheumatoid arthritis?
Since it is one of the rheumatic diseases, there are a few characteristic symptoms that we can easily identify: morning stiffness, swelling of the joints, tenderness of the joints, nodules under the skin and in the joints, mild fever and night sweats.
You can find a complete list of symptoms here (rheumatoid arthritis symptoms). If you or someone close to you suffer from these symptoms, you should consult a doctor immediately.
If the disease is present, a diagnosis should be made as soon as possible to initiate rheumatoid arthritis therapy and a change in diet (see rheumatoid arthritis diet).
Initially, however, increased attention and the detection of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms are important.
How to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis
Based on the symptoms, you then go to a family doctor, internist or rheumatologist. Using various criteria, the doctor can then use various building blocks to diagnose a rheumatic disease and use the blood count and characteristic antibodies to make the rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis.
Only about 60% of all those affected also have rheumatoid factor, i.e. antibodies characteristic of rheumatic diseases, as well as antinuclear antibodies.
Due to the numerous diagnostic criteria, a diagnosis is possible without any problems even without the antibodies.
A timely diagnosis is also necessary in order to start therapy and change of diet as quickly as possible in order to slow the progression of the disease.
What helps with rheumatoid arthritis?
Based on the diagnosis, drug therapy should be started as soon as possible. Depending on the severity of the disease, various pain relievers, glucocorticoids, biopharmaceuticals and special anti-rheumatic drugs reduce the symptoms and the autoimmune process.
How exactly this works and which medications are important, you can read here (rheumatoid arthritis therapy).
In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, drug therapy is life-saving. It can significantly slow the progression of the disease.
Immediately afterward, however, a change in diet and lifestyle changes should occur. Because drugs only work half as well if the diet is not adapted to the disease.
What to eat with rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis causes largely stem from the way you lead your lifestyle – consciously or unconsciously.
While the medication gives you valuable time and suppresses the rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, you should tackle the causes of the disease with a change in diet and a healthy way of living.
I recommend a largely vegan diet (with the exception of fish and poultry broth) with lots of fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds – and without cereals and legumes.
In addition to nutrition and nutrient therapy I, furthermore, advise the use of aiding herbs. You should count on all the help you can get for this serious illness.
Nutrient therapy and herbs have been established for thousands of years and will optimally support you as a supplement to medication and nutrition.
When you combine medication, nutrition, nutrients, herbal extracts, a healthy lifestyle and a positive mindset, you are also bound to get better.
So supplement the medication with these factors. You can find out exactly how to do this here (rheumatoid arthritis diet).
Conclusion – everything about rheumatoid arthritis
What is rheumatoid arthritis? Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease of the joints in which immune cells attack and severely damage the joints of those affected.
In order to stop this process as soon as possible and for the joints to continue to function properly, timely drug therapy in combination with a healthy diet, nutrient therapy and other natural supplementation is recommended.
Because you hold a large part of your illness, in spite of all adversities, in your own hands. So take the prescribed medication as directed and supplement this therapy with a healthy and adapted diet and lifestyle.
Then you have the best chance of recovery, and with your restored health, you hold more in your hand than you can weigh in gold!
Let us know of any questions, concerns or things you’d like to add in a comment below. We are always happy to read from you.