Kochi: On World Arthritis Day which falls on Thursday, rheumatologists have blamed lack of awareness for the surge in cases of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the country.
The chronic disease, which begins as a normal pain in smaller joints, gradually affects rest of the body if not treated early. According to Dr. George Kallarakkal, consultant rheumatologist, Medical Trust Hospital, Kochi, “rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system mistakenly starts attacking the body and healthy joints causing inflammation of the tissue that protects them. That results in swelling, pain as well as discomfort.”
“If there is pain and inflammation in small joints is persisting for a few weeks and if it is associated with morning stiffness lasting over 30 minutes to one hour, there is a high probability that the patient is harbouring rheumatoid arthritis,” he said.
According to Dr. Vishad Viswanathan, Consultant Rheumatologist, IRIS Centre for Arthritis and Rheumatology, Thiruvananthapuram, “If not diagnosed in time, deformities like crooked fingers, weakening of muscles of hands which causes inability to pick and grasp things, weakening of joints like elbows and shoulders makes lifting difficult for the affected and the person can be bed-bound if the lower extremities are affected.” RA is not just an illness of the joints; it can affect other organs of the body including lungs and blood vessels, he said.
“Though rheumatoid arthritis is not curable it can be effectively controlled and managed like we do with any other chronic disease, diabetes for instance. Experts say it is advisable to not resort to pain killers for relief. There are specific medicines to manage rheumatoid arthritis. But if this disease is left to worsen for long, treatment gets increasingly difficult, so catching this disease young is the right way to avert this situation.
“Mutated genes may make you more susceptible to the disease. You can be more prone to rheumatoid arthritis if you are a woman. Family history, cold temperatures, humidity, or certain foods such as meat and foods containing saturated fat can all trigger the disease,” said Dr. George Kallarakkal.
