1 out of 100 people suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis in Rajasthan: Dr Rahul Jain

Sikar: The number of Rheumatoid Arthritis patients has increased in Rajasthan over the past few years, but the people are not seeking medical attention on time due to superstitions and the lack of awareness. One in every 100 people is suffering from this dreadful disease in the state, according to Rheumatoid Arthritis specialist Dr Rahul Jain. Dr. Jain highlighted the prevalence of RA in Rajasthan while addressing a seminar – ‘Gathiya Jagrukta Abhiyan and Sanwad Karyakram’.

He said that most people in Rajasthan believe RA is incurable. It’s a myth. There are many advanced methods of treatment available these days, he said adding that RA is completely curable if the patient gets medical treatment on time.

Most RA patients believe they have developed deformity in their jobs due to some kind of ‘divine wrath’. They get conned by witch doctors and unqualified medical practitioners who prescribe them ‘pain killers’ and steroids in form of prasad. These things provide temporary relief and the patients believe that they are being cured, but the condition deteriorates over a long period of time.

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder in which the patient suffers from Joint pain, stiffness, tenderness and swelling mainly in arms and feet. This disease can also affect other parts of the body including shoulders and back.  Around one percent of world’s population is suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). The disease can affect anyone irrespective of their age and gender but often it happens in an age between 30 and 50 years. RA is more prevalent among women.

Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

The symptoms of the common Arthritis are inflammation, swelling, pain, stiffness and decreased range of motion in joints. The intensity of the pain could be low, moderate or severe. However, the symptoms of the disease vary in different individuals.

According to the Dr Jain, moderate pain in small joints of legs and arms can be considered as a first symptom of RA. The pain is worse in morning, winter and after the long hours of inactivity.

Some of the other symptoms of RA includes fever, tiredness, dryness in eyes and mouth, problem in breathing, loss of appetite and fatigue.

Some daily life measures to prevent Rheumatoid Arthritis:

• Don’t engage yourself in active or passive smoking.
• Take healthy and balanced diet
• Less usage of sugar in your diet.
• Consume more fruits and salads
• Avoid fried and oily food items
• Daily exercise, walk and Yoga will lead to more movement in muscles which in turn will reduce the chances of Rheumatoid Arthritis.
• Give proper rest to your joints and avoid pressure and stress on the joints.
• Avoid lifting heavy things which can do damage to any of your body part or joint.

What to do if you are already suffering from RA:

• Consult a specialized doctor and apply cold and hot water pack to your joints from time to time
• Therapies including acupuncture, massages and other could be used.
• Usage of Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), which is a category of otherwise unrelated drugs defined by their use in rheumatoid arthritis to slow down disease progression.
• DMARDs should be used after consulting the doctor.