Autoimmune arthritis

Last updated 24/03/2021 by The pain clinics - Interdisciplinary Health

A Great Guide to Autoimmune Arthritis

What is autoimmune arthritis? In this article you can learn more about this type of arthritis - where the body's own immune system attacks the joints.

Autoimmune arthritis is the name of a group of different diagnoses in which the body's own immune system attacks itself - and its own joints. The most famous example for us Norwegians is rheumatic arthritis. When the immune system attacks the body's own joints, inflammatory reactions will occur. This inflammation in turn can cause joint pain, stiffness and difficulty moving. There are actually over 100 different types of arthritis - of which different diagnoses can cause different symptoms. Psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the two most common examples of autoimmune arthritis.

In this article we teach you more about autoimmune arthritis. Among other things, we will go through:

• Different Varieties of Autoimmune Arthritis

• Symptoms of Autoimmune Arthritis

• Risk Factors for Developing Autoimmune Arthritis

• Diagnosis

• Treatment of Autoimmune Arthritis 

• Suggestions for Exercises and Exercise in Autoimmune Arthritis (including VIDEO)

• Long-term Complications

Different Types of Autoimmune Arthritis

Here we go through some of the most common forms of autoimmune arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis: The most common form of autoimmune joint disease. The diagnosis typically causes swelling and pain in the hands, wrists and feet, as well as the knees as the condition worsens. Research has shown that up to 75% affected by the condition are women.

Psoriatic arthritis: Psoriasis is primarily known as a skin condition, of which the skin gives a characteristic silvery appearance and flakes off. As many as between 20-40% of those with this skin disease also have an associated joint disease known as psoriatic arthritis. The latter can affect joints almost throughout the body, including the spine, knees, fingers, toes, hips and shoulders.

Reactive Arthritis: Reactive arthritis occurs only in people with a history of certain bacterial infections - such as Salmonella, Campylobacter and Chlamydia. This diagnosis can, in addition to joint pain, cause red eyes, pain when urinating and / or a rash on the underside of the feet or in the palms.

Axial Spondyloarthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis: Provides arthritis of the spine itself, which gradually merges, causing both pain and stiffness in the joints.

Juvenile Arthritis (Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis): As the name implies, this form of arthritis affects children and adolescents. The diagnosis can give typical symptoms such as joint pain, eye inflammation, fever and rash.

Palindrome arthritis: A rare version of arthritis that gives episodes or flares with arthritis which then goes away on its own. The diagnosis often affects the fingers, wrists and knees. Classic symptoms include pain, swelling, stiffness and fever.

Each of the above diagnoses we mentioned above can cause both pain and swelling of the joints.

Symptoms of Autoimmune Arthritis

The symptoms of autoimmune arthritis will vary depending on the specific arthritis diagnosis. But here we go through the more general symptoms - which include the following:

• Fever

• Joint pain

• Stiffness

• Weakness

• Exhaustion

An example of more specific symptoms is enthesitis. This is a symptom that is often present in psoriatic arthritis, which means that there are pressure-sensitive areas where ligaments and tendons attach to the bones. This may be, for example, attached to the Achilles tendon at the back of the heel or the back of the elbow (in triceps).

Risk Factors

Risk factors for autoimmune arthritis depend on the type of arthritis that the individual is affected by. However, there are factors that increase the risk of developing autoimmune arthritis - such as genetics and family history with rheumatism.

Many have also seen that epigenetics can play a central role. Among other things, the following risk factors have been identified:

• Gender

• Overweight

• smoking

• Early exposure to toxins (eg passive cigarette smoke as a child)

Women have almost three times the risk of being rheumatoid arthritis. Men, on the other hand, are at higher risk of getting ankylosing spondylitis.

Diagnosis

A rheumatologist, ie a medical specialist in rheumatology, investigates autoimmune arthritis. A rheumatological examination will first ask about its symptoms, including what makes the symptoms worse and better. You may also be asked about medical illness history. Thereafter, more tests will be conducted to find out more about the person's health and the joints that are affected.

These diagnostic tests may include:

• Imaging Diagnostics (X-ray, CT or MRI examination to examine joint health)

• Blood tests (including testing for rheumatic factor, certain antibodies and lowering)

• Tissue biopsy (can be used for psoriasis to confirm diagnosis)

Here it is important to mention that no single test can identify autoimmune arthritis. The process rather involves a form of exclusion - where one gradually finds the diagnosis with the highest probability. Such an assessment process can in many cases take a long time.

Medical treatment

Your doctor will consider several factors before setting up a drug treatment plan for autoimmune arthritis. Hen will assess your symptoms, the type of arthritis you have and general health - before deciding on the best course of action. Drug treatment is almost always combined with physical treatment and training for the best effect.

Medication

Those with milder forms of autoimmune arthritis may have a good effect of taking NSAIDS only. Such as Ibuprofen.

Others have to switch to heavier, prescription drugs called DMARDS - such as methodextrate. If DMARDS does not work, then it may be appropriate to try what is known as biological medicine. These block the immune system's communication system. It is important to remember that both DMARDS and biological medicine are immunosuppressive (they reduce the immune system's defenses, and make the person taking them more susceptible to infections and inflammation).

Other Treatment and Exercises

As mentioned earlier, one would like to combine drug treatment with physical treatment - and then also dietary modifications. This may include:

• Anti-inflammatory diet
• Treatment and Training Guidance at Authorized Health Personnel with Expertise in Muscle and Skeleton (Physiotherapist, Chiropractor or Manual Therapist).
• Compression noise (eg these compression gloves)
• Stopping smoking
• Exercise in Hot water pool

A comprehensive approach in the treatment of autoimmune arthritis is important to facilitate the best possible results. In this article here You can read more about anti-inflammatory diet. Regular exercise is also important to stimulate good functionality and blood circulation. In the video below you can see an example of an exercise program designed to combat osteoarthritis in your hands:

VIDEO: 7 Exercises Against Hand Osteoarthritis

Join our family! Subscribe for free on our youtube channel (click here) for free exercise programs and health videos.

Recommended Self-help for Arthritis

• Compression Noise (such as compression socks that contribute to increased blood circulation to sore muscles or specially adapted compression gloves og socks against rheumatic symptoms in the hands and feet)

Click on the image to read more about compression gloves.

• Toe pullers (several types of rheumatism can cause bent toes - for example hammer toes or hallux valgus (bent big toe) - toe pullers can help relieve these)
• Mini tapes (many with rheumatic and chronic pain feel that it is easier to train with custom elastics)
• Trigger point Balls (self-help to work the muscles on a daily basis)
• Arnica cream or heat conditioner (many people report some pain relief if they use, for example, arnica cream or heat conditioner)

- Many people use arnica cream for pain due to stiff joints and sore muscles. Click on the image above to read more about how arnica cream can help relieve some of your pain situation.

Long-term Complications

The long-term effects of autoimmune arthritis depend on the variant the person is afflicted with. A classic example is rheumatic arthritis that can cause characteristic deformities in the hands and feet. Among other things, our loved one's Jahn Teigen was afflicted with rheumatic arthritis, and these joint changes went well beyond his everyday function. Research has also shown that those with rheumatic arthritis are at higher risk of being affected by heart disease and diabetes (1). In rare cases, joint damage can be so severe that it requires surgery - such as a knee or hip replacement.

A person with autoimmune arthritis goes through frequent periods of pain and swelling. These can make it difficult to work or be social in the same way as before. To avoid complications, it is important to have an early diagnosis and assessment - so that the person can receive optimal medical and physical treatment.

Summary

• Early Diagnosis is Important

• Treatment should be Comprehensive and Regular (Medication, Physical Treatment, Exercise, Exercises and Diet)

• Regular use of compression noise can be useful for maintaining circulation.

• Long-Term Complications Can Go Beyond Job Satisfaction and Everyday Functioning

Questions? Feel free to post them in the comments section below. Otherwise, we recommend you to join our support group: Rheumatism and Chronic Pain - Norway: Research and News. Here you will find useful information and can search through our large database of previous questions. We hope to see you there.