Women’s Insights into Rheumatoid Arthritis features the stories of 12 inspiring Australian women with this painful condition – a condition which can have such a devastating effect on quality of life. The book was launched this month as a lead up to National Arthritis Awareness Week (21-27 March).
Arthritis is Australia’s major cause of pain and disability. Nearly four million people are affected and it costs our economy almost $24 billion each year.
Arthritis is often thought of as a single disease, but it’s really an umbrella term used to describe more than 100 medical conditions that involve our bones and muscles and particularly the joints where two or more bones meet. After osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the next most common form (OA, RA and gout together account for more than 95% of arthritis cases in Australia).
While OA affects mainly the weight-bearing joints – the legs, the shoulders, the knees and the lower spine – RA symptoms are much more widespread and potentially disabling.
Joint pain, stiffness and tenderness are common to both major forms of arthritis, but with RA significant inflammation and swelling of the joints is likely; small (usually painless) lumps or nodules occur beneath the skin and there is general muscle weakness and fatigue.
RA is not just a function of getting old; it’s not a wear-and-tear disease as OA is sometimes described. RA is an autoimmune disease; that is our immune system starts to attack our own healthy tissues. In military terms, it’s the body coming under “friendly fire” – the good guys attacking the good guys.
In RA, the immune system targets the lining of the joints (the synovial membrane). The joints most likely to be affected first are the joints in the hands and feet – the row of knuckles closest to the wrist, the middle joints on the fingers, the wrist itself and the row of joints at the base of the toes. However, larger joints such as the hips or the knees can also be affected.
As well, parts of the body other than the joints can be affected – diverse areas of the body like the tear glands, salivary glands, blood vessels and heart and lung tissue.
In fact, RA which is not effectively treated can result in shortened life expectancy with increased deaths due to heart and blood vessel disease, infection and cancer.
Clearly, early diagnosis is essential so that appropriate treatment to prevent disease progression and serious joint damage can be initiated. Symptoms suggestive of RA should be assessed as soon as possible.
The cause of RA is not known. However, there appears to be a genetic pre-disposition to the condition; more women are affected than men; and possible trigger factors include pregnancy, infection and especially smoking. Some studies have shown smokers are six times more likely to develop RA.
Not surprisingly, being overweight or obese can put more strain on already damaged joints; so lifestyle factors are important in both prevention and management.
Effective management usually involves the use of potent medicines; some with potentially serious side effects. It is important, therefore, to check with your doctor and pharmacist as to what to expect from your treatment.
Generally complementary therapies have not proven to be effective. Fish oil has the best credentials; but adequate doses taken regularly, often for many months will usually be required for any benefit.
The “Rheumatoid Arthritis” fact card, which is available from pharmacies distributing the Pharmaceutical Society’s Self Care health information, provides helpful advice on the identification and management of RA. For the nearest location of a “Self Care” pharmacy check out the Pharmaceutical Society website at www.psa.org.au or phone 1300 369 772. The “Women’s Insights” book can be downloaded from the Arthritis Australia website: www.arthritisaustralia.com.au.
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