Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, inflammatory disease that causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function in various joints of the body. RA can vary greatly from person to person. It can vary from a mild disease which lasts a few months to two years and causes little to no damage to mild to moderate disease with periods of worsening symptoms called ‘flares’, to severe disease that is active most of the time and which lasts many years and leads to serious joint damage and disability.

How Common Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

It is estimated that about 2.1 million Americans, or 1% of the US adult population, have RA. About 2 to 3 times as many women as men have the disease.

What Causes Rheumatoid Arthritis?

The cause of rheumatoid arthritis is not currently known. Several factors may play a role in the development of RA.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, which means that a your immune system attacks your own body tissues.

• Genetic factors. Certain genes have been identified that play a role in the immune system and which are associated with a tendency to develop RA.
• Environmental factors. There may be an as-yet-unidentified viral or bacterial agent which triggers the disease process. In autoimmune diseases this often occurs because the antibody which attacks the virus or bacteria “cross-reacts” with a part of the body, in this case the joints. However, rheumatoid arthritis is not contagious.
• Other factors. Other factors are known or suspected to play a role in the development of autoimmune disease. These include:
  • Food allergies. Numerous studies have demonstrated improvement in RA symptoms with identification and removal of allergenic foods.
  • Abnormal bowel permeability. Individuals with RA have increased intestinal permeability to dietary and bacterial antigens. Increased bowel permeability can lead to absorption of antigens (proteins) which contributes to increased levels of circulating endotoxins and immune complexes characteristic of RA. Food allergies may contribute greatly to the increased intestinal permeability. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs may also play a role.
  • Altered bacterial flora and small bowel overgrowth are common in people with RA and the degree of imbalance is associated with severity of symptoms and disease activity.
  • Decreased DHEA (an adrenal hormone) levels. Defective androgen synthesis has been proposed as a possible factor in the development of rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Low cortisol levels. Cortisol is the body’s natural anti-inflammatory hormone. It is produced by the adrenal glands and its production may be decreased by chronic stress or use of steroid medications.
  • Heavy metal toxicity with metals such as mercury, cadmium and lead have been associated with rheumatoid arthritis. These metals may interfere with collagen synthesis.
  • Chronic stress affects the immune system and is linked to disease onset and worsening in people with RA.

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What Are the Risk Factors for Rheumatoid Arthritis?

• Female gender
• Genetic factors
• Heavy metal exposures
• Food allergies and intolerances
• Altered gut flora which can be due to chronic use of antibiotics or acid blocking medications
• High stress levels
• Family history of rheumatoid arthritis or other autoimmune conditions
• Cigarette Smoking

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Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms

• Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis may vary from person to person.
• Tender, warm, swollen joints
• Symmetrical pattern of joint involvement (example: both knees affected)
• Joint pain and stiffness lasting more than 30 minutes upon arising or after rest
• Commonly affected joints include:
  • Wrist
  • Finger joints
  • Neck
  • Shoulders
  • Elbows
  • Hips
  • Knees
  • Ankles
  • Feet
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Low Grade Fever
• Malaise (generally not feeling well)
• Anorexia (lack of appetite)

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How Is Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosed?

• There is no single test for the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. Your doctor may use some or all of the following tests in diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis, depending on your specific presentation and symptoms.
• Medical history and family history
• Physical examination
• Laboratory tests
  • Complete Blood Count (CBC), transferrin saturation and ferritin.
    • Anemia is quite common with RA.
    • Hemochromatosis (iron overload) can have symptoms similar to RA.
  • Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
  • C Reactive Protein (CRP)
  • Rheumatoid factor (RF). This test is positive in about 80% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and can be positive in other autoimmune diseases also.
  • Antinuclear antibodies (ANA). Found in 20-60% of patients with RA.
  • Synovial fluid analysis
  • DHEA-S levels
  • Cortisol levels
  • Urine heavy metal analysis
  • Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis to evaluate beneficial and pathogenic flora balance.
  • Serum IgG Food Allergy Testing
• X-rays. Used to examine joint destruction.

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What Is the Best Treatment?

Conventional Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Natural Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis

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What Should You Do Next?

The doctors at The Connecticut Center for Health are very experienced in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. If you have (or suspect you have) symptoms and want to learn more about natural treatments for this condition, we recommend that you contact one of our clinics for a free consultation about rheumatoid arthritis or an appointment.