How to manage Rheumatoid Arthritis along with Medications?

What are the possible risk factors for R.A.?

• Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmunity disorder. Autoimmunity is caused by exposing the bodies to heavy metal toxins of the environment such as Cadmium, Mercury and Lead which can potentially make your body prone to ill factors of environment like infections, virus or bacterial attacks
• Inflammations
• Women are highly likely to develop R.A. than men biggest reason from my experience is nutritional deficiency (less self-care)
• Obesity
• Genetics : Familial links to R.A. can also increase the possibility of the same in your body
• Nutritional Deficiency
• Hypothyroidism

What are the signs and symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis?

• Swollen joints
• Joint’s stiffness especially in the morning or after being inactive
• Excessive pain of joints
• Fever, loss of appetite and extreme fatigue
• Unable to do basic daily activities because of extreme pain

Other complications due to R.A.

• Heart diseases which can cause inflammation
• Lung problems resulting in shortness of breathing
• Eyes and skin infection
• Celiac Disease
• Diabetic type 2
• Kidney failure
• GUT Dysbiosis and several GUT disease
• Gout
• Osteoporosis

Diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis:

The diagnosis of R.A. cannot be done using one test. There are several blood tests associated which check for inflammatory markers.

1. C-reactive Protein
2. RF Factor
3. Erythrocytes Sedimentation (ESR)
4. Anticardiolipin antibodiies (IgG, IgM IgA)
5. Beta-2 glycoprotein (IgG IgM, IgA)
6. Protein C-Actiivity
7. Protein S Activity
8. Stool Ova and parasites
9. H.Pylori stool antigen
10. Stool culture and Microbiome test
11. Cytokines test (IL-6, IL-10)

Diet in Rheumatoid Arthritis:

A proper diet can help fight against this deadly disease. The diet can work as an anti-inflammatory for the body. The proper intake of food can help in strengthening the Gut health. Immune system is associated with the Gut of the body.

• Anti-inflammatory plant based seasonal diet
• Probiotic enriched food like kombucha, kefir, sauerkraut, yogurt, fermented pickle etc
• Omega 3 (ALA) rich foods like flax seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, walnuts
• Soaked nuts and seeds like Almonds, walnuts, Brazilian nuts, pumpkin seeds, melon seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seed,
• Gluten free and contaminated grains free diet
• Dairy free
• Balance diet of healthy complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, protein and fibre, variety of vegetables and fibre
• Herbal tea such as dandelion root tea, milk thistle tea, Arjuna bark tea, clove tea, green tea, digestive tea (Fennel, cumin, carom seeds ) to support liver, kidney and intestine
• Magnesium rich foods
• Cooked cruciferous vegetables
• Daily intake of microgreen like broccoli because being rich in sulforaphane, a powerful antioxidant.
• Home made yoghurt in coconut milk with strain Lactobacillus Gasseri, Lactobacillus Reuteri, Bacillius Coagulans, Lactobacillus helveticus and Bifidobacterium longum 
• No refined flours and refined oils, best oil in moderation are organic A2 ghee, olive oil, sesame oil, groundout oil, mustard oil
• No processed foods, white sugar
• Eating papayas before each meal can help in reducing inflammation and oxidative stress because of presence of high antioxidants called carotenoids.

The best ways to reduce Inflammation which is the major cause of R.A. :

1. Acupuncture during R.A.

The traditional Chinese method in which soft and tender pressure is exerted to various parts of body to cure diseases and pain associated with the diseases. Acupuncture during R.A. is an important cure as it does the following:

• Reduces high inflammation
• Relaxes the body
• Increases the blood flow in the body

2. Resistance Training

Resistance or strength training is efficient during R.A. as it supports and protects the joints which are affected.

• It improves the strength of muscles
• It increases the flexibility of the joints
• Active body can reduce the inflammation
• Enhances circulation

3. Adaptogenic Herbs

Adaptogens are certain herbs or spices, roots, mushrooms that can reduce any inflammation of body or joints during Rheumatoid Arthritis. For better understanding of the same click on “Adaptogens”.

4. Adrenal Support

During R.A., a natural occurring stress hormone, Cortisol made by the adrenal glands increases. To balance out, man made cortisol steroids like prednisolone are used for the treatment of R.A. The steroids are very effective at reducing inflammation.

5. Quality Sleep

Excessive pain makes it too difficult to provide rest to the body, hence, an adequate amount of sleep support is necessary during R.A.

6. Qigong

The technique of cultivating healing energy within the body with the help of breathing, postures, meditation, martial arts and many other crucial techniques.

7. Tapping

It is like a psychological acupressure technique. The technique that can create positive energy inside the body to cure and cope up with pain.

8. Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent Fasting is the best way of dieting as it helps in reducing inflammation or any inflammation of joints. It is safe for most of the people but is not for all. Pregnant women and children should not start intermittent fasting without the advice of medical practitioners.

Medications for R.A. (Under consultation of Rheumatologist)

• Steroids such as prednisone can relieve inflammation and excessive pain
• NSAIDs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can reduce the joint pain
• methotrexate, leflunomide, hydroxychloroquine
• Biologics to reduce IL-6
• Conventional DMARDs likewise methotrexate, leflunomide, hydroxychloroquine

“Good health, good diet and physical activity are the new-normal.”

Supplements or medication guidance:

• Probiotics such as lactobacillus casei, lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus gasseri, B Coagulans help in reducing inflammation in joints. Can also take multi-strain (> 12) 50-100 billions CFU’s to keep healing GUT
• Selenium (Soaked Brazilian nuts), iodine 150 mcg daily
• B12, B6, B9 bioactive form
• Vitamin D3 high dosage 10,000 IU daily to prevent Osteoporosis, have better mood
• Lactobacillus Reuteri to build collagen and muscle
• Lactobacillus helveticus and Bifidobacterium longum for better sleep and to reduce anxiety
• Turmeric along with bioperne
• Vitamin C and zinc
• Adaptogenic herbs like Ashwagandha for better sleep and energy
• Magnesium for calcium absorption, sleep, muscle relaxation, energy
• Alpha Lipoic acid to support adrenal fatigue
• DHEA or melatonin small dosage if needed for Adrenal fatigue and sleep respectively
• L-Glutamine to heal leaky GUT because of medicine side effects
• Pure CBD oil oral sublingual intake for reduction of pain and better sleep
• External oil application to joints and muscle such as CBD oil, coconut oil and pure camphor, coconut oil and nutmeg powder to reduce pain

Kindly check with your medical practitioners for dosage on supplementation if you are suffering from higher risks of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

References:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23109051/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6422329/