Content
Seropositive rheumatoid arthritis is a common disease in older people that affects small joints and internal organs.
Important! In 80% of cases in patients with this diagnosis, the presence of rheumatoid factor in the blood is recorded.
According to medical statistics, seropositive rheumatoid arthritis is more common in female patients after 40 years of age.
Drug treatment
The most important point in the fight against the development of the disease is the timely use of fast-acting drugs with a modifying and anti-inflammatory effect. Mandatory medications for seropositive rheumatoid arthritis are:
- "Diclofenac sodium";
- "Sulfasalazine";
- "Ibuprofen";
- Leflunomide.
The above remedies not only relieve pain and stop the progression of inflammation, but also make it possible to achieve remission of the disease. When it comes to innovative treatment methods, the introduction of stem cells into tissue comes first. The latter help restore joints and improve their motor function.
Description of the disease
Seropositive rheumatoid arthritis - what is it? This type of arthritis is a chronic disease that affects small joints, namely the joints of the right and left hands, fingers, feet and other symmetrical joints. In addition to their destruction, irreversible changes in cartilage and connective tissue occur in the patient’s body.
The disease in the early stages may occur without pronounced symptoms. Late stages of rheumatoid arthritis are characterized by limited joint mobility and modification.
Important! Seropositive rheumatoid arthritis can take years to develop. However, sometimes the disease progresses very quickly and leads to disability.
Symptoms
At first, arthritis does not manifest itself in any way. A person may mistake pain in various parts of the body and joints for fatigue, bruises or overload. Most often, the victim seeks medical help after 2-3 months, when the pain does not go away for a long time.
The main symptoms of the disease are the following:
- pain in the joints,
fast fatiguability,
- joint weakness
- swelling in the area of the affected joint,
- skin redness,
- stiffness in the joints in the morning, which goes away after physical activity or warm-up,
- increased temperature in the joint area, “hot joints” effect,
- limitation of mobility,
- fever, increased body temperature,
- decreased appetite and body weight,
- excessive sweating.
At the early stage of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis, the lesions are minimal, the person is able to move normally and does not lose performance. At the second stage, mobility decreases significantly, the patient loses the ability to self-care and performance. In the third stage, the joints become immobilized and the patient needs help with care.
Prerequisites for the development of the disease
The nature of rheumatoid arthritis has not been fully studied by doctors. However, it has been proven that the risk group includes patients with the following pathological conditions:
- constant stress;
- frequent infections with infectious diseases;
- hereditary predisposition;
- allergy;
- bacterial lesions;
- joint injuries;
- lifestyle (work in hazardous industries, poor environmental conditions, smoking, drinking alcohol, etc.).
Seropositive rheumatoid arthritis is most often seen in adults, so older age is another risk factor.
As a result of analyzing the medical records of patients with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis, doctors identified the following signs of the disease:
- Joint pain . Patients experience pain when moving, walking, etc. Often the joints swell and hurt in the morning or after a long period of rest.
- Fatigue and weakness.
- The appearance of rheumatoid nodules , which cause discomfort upon palpation.
In the advanced stage of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis, flat feet and joint subluxations may be observed. In such patients, the hands are deviated to the outside, the fingers acquire a hammer-like shape.
In later stages of arthritis, osteoporosis develops and joint spaces narrow. In seropositive rheumatoid arthritis, blood vessels and connective tissue are affected, which leads to the development of vasculitis. The functioning of internal organs is gradually disrupted; patients often suffer from pleurisy, renal failure, etc. In patients of the fourth stage of arthritis, complete fusion of the joint and cessation of its motor function are observed.
About
What is the danger of the disease?
The main danger of the disease is the high probability of its rapid progress. Overgrowth of joints with connective tissue causes deformation of the limbs. The result is a person's disability. In most cases, the fingers and toes are affected. However, the disease can affect larger joints, such as those in the neck and spine.
The progressive development of such a severe joint disease puts a significant strain on the heart muscle. The need to regularly take anti-inflammatory medications leads to damage to the tissues of the gastrointestinal tract.
Diagnosis and treatment
To determine seropositive rheumatoid arthritis at the initial stage, it is enough to take a blood test. In most cases, the test will show the presence of rheumatoid factor in the blood. Also, a blood test of a patient with arthritis will register a lower level of hemoglobin in the blood, an increased ESR and a higher level of C-reactive protein.
In later stages of arthritis development, it is enough for the attending physician to examine the patient. Damaged joints become deformed, and it will not be difficult for a specialist to establish the correct diagnosis. The patient additionally undergoes x-rays; based on the images, the doctor will determine the degree of damage to the joints and cartilage tissue.
Treatment of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis is aimed at stopping the destruction of joints and cartilage tissue. The following therapeutic methods help improve the patient’s condition and the progression of the disease:
- taking medications;
- physiotherapy;
- physiotherapy;
- hydrotherapy;
- massage;
- rest during an exacerbation;
- diet therapy, etc.
Patients diagnosed with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis should take their diet and lifestyle very seriously. Patients must avoid salty and fatty foods. It is recommended to eat natural vegetables, fruits, cereals, white meat, dairy products, etc.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to completely cure this type of arthritis. With an integrated approach to treatment, it is possible to achieve relief of symptoms and increase the period of remission.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapeutic procedures are of particular importance in the treatment of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis:
- UHF (ultra-high frequency therapy) effectively corrects the body's immune response to irritants.
- Phonophoresis allows you to enhance the effect of medications.
- Electrophoresis helps increase the tone of muscle tissue.
It is worth noting that when undergoing physiotherapeutic procedures during the treatment of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis, there are completely no negative effects. On the contrary, the use of medications alone is accompanied by many side effects.
Causes and mechanism of development
Experts still do not have an exact answer to the question of what seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is and what its mechanism of development is. The pathology is associated with dysfunction of the immune system, the cells of which, for unknown reasons, begin to produce antibodies to joint tissues, leading to their damage. The immunoglobulins produced in the body are called rheumatoid factor (RF).
Read also: Treatment of ankle arthritis at home
The disease is accompanied by pathological proliferation of capillaries and inflammation of the connective tissue, resulting in the degeneration of the affected cells into pannus - aggressive granulation tissue with tumor-like development. Structural changes destroy the joint, as well as the surrounding muscles, cartilage and bones. The disease can develop over a long period of time, in the absence of timely treatment, affecting the musculoskeletal system, cardiovascular system and internal organs. Most patients are diagnosed with seropositive rheumatoid polyarthritis, accompanied by simultaneous inflammation of several joints.
Possible causes of the pathology are:
- Genetic predisposition;
- Past viral diseases (hepatitis B, measles, mumps, herpes, herpes zoster, cytomegalovirus infection);
- Hormonal imbalances (dysfunction of the thyroid gland and adrenal glands, menopause);
- Tendency to allergic reactions;
- Regular hypothermia;
- History of severe intoxication;
- Lower extremity injuries and bone diseases;
- Poor nutrition leading to the accumulation of uric acid in the body;
- Stress, nervous shock.
Causes
The causes of arthritis have not yet been established. According to scientists, the pathology is of autoimmune origin. Arthritis manifests itself in the fact that antibodies-immune cells at some point begin to “bomb” the cells of their own body, the cells of the connective tissue of the joints. One of the reasons may be heredity. If this disease occurs in several generations, the predisposition may lie in genes.
Various injuries, from dislocations to fractures, can provoke the onset of arthritis. Even against the background of old injuries, pathology can develop in “weak” areas of the body.
Often arthritis is accompanied by metabolic disorders associated with diseases of the thyroid gland, liver, and age-related changes in hormonal levels.
Poor nutrition and consumption of foods containing carcinogens and other harmful substances causes malfunctions in the body.
Prolonged and intense hypothermia of the body leads to impaired blood supply to the extremities, deterioration of tissue nutrition and early degenerative changes.
Symptoms and stages
There are four stages of development of the seropositive form of arthritis:
- Initial (duration of illness less than 6 months). The lesion is localized mainly in the small joints of the upper and lower extremities. Symptoms of seropositive RA may be absent or mild. Some patients experience swelling, slight limitation of mobility and moderate pain, most often in the toes and ankles. Discomfort usually increases in the evening and goes away after a short rest;
- Second (6-12 months from the onset of the disease). Structural deformation of cartilage and bone destruction are noted, clearly visible on x-rays. Rheumatoid nodules are formed - formations in the subcutaneous tissue with a diameter of up to 3-4 cm, localized mainly on the hands and forearms. The changes that occur are accompanied by severe swelling of the soft tissues and pain. The development of grade 2 seropositive rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by damage to internal organs. Patients complain of muscle pain and tingling in the heart; cardiac dysfunction is diagnosed on the ECG;
- Expanded (12-24 months). Changes in the shape of small joints are visible to the naked eye: the fingers and toes are curved, deviated to the sides, and their mobility is significantly limited. The inflammatory process spreads to large joints (knees, hips) and the spine. As a result of pathological changes in the lower extremities, flat feet develop, and many patients lose the ability to move independently. The dysfunction of the cardiovascular system continues, arrhythmia develops;
- Late (duration of arthritis more than 2 years). Cartilaginous tissue in the affected areas disappears, bones fuse with a complete loss of limb mobility. The destruction of internal organs progresses: the spleen, liver, parts of the intestines, kidney failure develops, and the skin atrophies.
A specific symptom of seropositive RA is the symmetry of joint damage on both arms and legs. The disease is often accompanied by loss of strength, low-grade body temperature, weight loss, and increased sweating.
Physiotherapy
Regular performance of special physical exercises makes it possible to relieve discomfort in such serious joint disease. Morning time is best for this. If you develop seropositive rheumatoid arthritis, you can start gymnastics while in bed. At the same time, it is important to monitor proper breathing, taking a deep breath and exhaling through the nose.
So, therapeutic exercises involve performing the following exercises:
- the body position is assumed lying on your back with your arms located along the body;
- the fingers and toes of the feet and hands are simultaneously bent and extended;
- Circular rotations of the ankle, wrist, and knee joints are performed;
- having moved to a chair and taken a flat position of the back, the right arm and leg are alternately moved to the side, and then similar movements are performed with the left limbs;
- walking in a sitting position is simulated;
- Half squats are performed while leaning on a chair;
- the lower and upper limbs are retracted to the side in a standing position;
- Circular rotations are performed in the joints of the hands with the fingers placed on the shoulders.
In order for the treatment of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis with the help of gymnastics to produce results, it is necessary to regularly develop the body. Modeling is considered a fairly effective alternative solution. If the above exercises are performed correctly and the regimen is followed, the chances of the disease going into remission increase, which has a positive effect on the overall improvement in the quality of life.
Treatment of pathology
Complex therapy is aimed at suppressing the autoimmune reaction and inflammation, as well as alleviating pain. Drug treatment of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis includes taking the following drugs:
- Corticosteroids (Prednisolone, Dexamethasone, Betamethasone);
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Diclofenac);
- Gold preparations;
- Cytostatics and immunosuppressants (Methotrexate, Arava, Remicade).
Other treatments for seropositive arthritis include:
- Plasmapheresis (blood purification);
- Physiotherapy;
- Therapeutic exercises aimed at preventing further deformation of the limbs and maintaining their mobility;
- A diet high in calcium to prevent osteoporosis (dairy and fermented milk products, nuts).
It should be remembered that all of these treatment methods are effective at the early stage of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis. In severe cases, surgical restoration of the affected tissue and installation of implants may be required.
When the first signs of pathology appear, you must immediately contact a rheumatologist, arthrologist or immunologist. Timely initiation of therapy will prevent further development of the disease and dangerous complications.
When therapy is started at an early stage of the disease, the prognosis is favorable; in approximately 10-15% of cases, the inflammatory process is completely stopped. The later treatment is started, the higher the risk of severe consequences and disability. An unfavorable prognosis can be said in the following cases:
- Simultaneous damage to multiple joints;
- Formation of bone erosions and nodules;
- Sustained high levels of rheumatoid factor and ESR;
- Limitation of limb mobility;
- Presence of concomitant diseases.
Read also: Causes of reactive arthritis in children
The average life expectancy of patients is reduced by 5-7 years. The main causes of death are various infections, severe pathologies of the kidneys and liver, gastrointestinal bleeding, side effects due to long-term use or overdose of medications. However, strict adherence to medical recommendations allows you to avoid many negative consequences of the disease and deterioration in quality of life.
Stages of seropositive arthritis
There are four stages of the disease: latent, advanced, chronic, acute. The most dangerous stage is the advanced stage. Each stage is manifested by external changes and a malfunction of the body as a whole.
Due to inflammation in tissues that constantly occurs in the body, deformation and atrophy occur. If you do not start treatment in time and start polyarthritis at this stage of development, it will be impossible to recover.
Incorrectly chosen treatment can lead to:
- disturbances in body processes;
- severe diseases of internal organs;
- disability;
- movement disorders;
- surgical intervention.
Read also: Treatment of periarthritis
There is an international classification in the world, ICD 10, which contains all diseases. According to this classification, seropositive polyarthritis is divided into several groups. The final diagnosis is made according to the following factors: symptoms, degree of destruction in the body, duration of the disease, how many organs are affected by the inflammatory process.
ICD 10 distinguishes two types of rheumatoid polyarthritis, differing in the degree of damage to the body and the possibility of recovery. The first type is seronegative, causing minor changes in the body. The consequences are often reversible. Seropositive rheumatoid arthritis affects important internal organs, inflammation occurs externally, deep in the body.
When diagnosing seropositive polyarthritis, it is not rational to treat it with folk remedies. Doctors believe that complex treatment with traditional, folk remedies will be effective.
Seropositive rheumatoid arthritis
Seropositive rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects small joints. It consists of self-destruction, as a result of which the body’s immune bodies mistakenly act on its own inflamed joint tissues, destroying them.
The reasons that can cause the development of this pathology can be different, these include a predisposition at the genetic level, trauma received and damage caused, endocrine disorders, hypothermia, repeated stressful situations. There is an opinion that the herpes virus and mycoplasma in the body can provoke arthritis.
There are two forms of rheumatoid arthritis - seronegative and seropositive, which are similar in many ways, however, they also have some differences in their manifestation, nature and diagnostic methods. What these forms of arthritis have in common is the gradual destruction of the joints.
A characteristic feature of seropositive arthritis is the presence of rheumatoid factor in the blood. The disease has four stages, which can be determined by X-ray examination, namely:
- Synovitis is the initial, earliest stage with the appearance of primary symptoms of periarticular osteoporosis, the duration of which does not exceed six months.
- Pannus is the second stage, lasting up to one year, with osteoporosis and narrowing of the interarticular space.
- Fibrous ankylosis is the third advanced stage, manifesting itself after one year from the onset of the disease, in which erosion and joint deformation join the previous symptoms of osteoporosis and narrowing of the interarticular space.
- The fourth or late stage is considered to be bone ankylosis - the period of the disease when more than two years have passed since its onset. This period is characterized by maximum changes in the joints, such as:
- Fingers on the hands and feet bend to the side;
- The shape of the fingers changes;
- Changes appear in the bones of the foot in the form of flat feet;
- Ankylosis - the joints of the fingers are fused.
Why does the disease occur?
Seropositive rheumatoid arthritis is more often diagnosed in people over 40 years of age. The causes leading to the disease are not completely known, as is the history of the disease.
Diseases suffered in youth cause severe damage to a person’s immunity. More often this was the beginning that served to develop the disease.
There are reasons leading to arthritis:
- Frequent viral and fungal diseases;
- Extensive medical history;
- Damage to the body by bacteria;
- Previous mycoplasmosis;
- Experienced stress, nervous strain;
- Genetic predisposition;
- Allergies undermine the immune system;
- Previous joint injuries;
- Impact of harmful substances on the body;
- Hypothermia of legs and arms.
In people diagnosed with an advanced stage of the disease, joints and other internal organs are affected: heart, lungs, blood vessels, periarticular joints. During arthritis, inflammatory processes occur in the body. Treatment is carried out with the help of anti-inflammatory drugs that have a bad effect on the digestive system.
The acute stage brings changes in the functioning of the liver and spleen. Lymph nodes enlarge. The immune system undergoes changes due to arthritis. Decreased immunity contributes to changes in metabolism, leading to kidney failure. Protein appears in the urine.
A persistent form of inflammation leads to joint destruction. Pannus accumulates in the altered areas. Erosion occurs. Over time, motor activity decreases.
The history of the disease has not been fully studied; it is impossible to understand what caused the changes in the joints and inflammatory processes.
Symptoms of the disease
The main symptom of seropositive RA remains the presence of rheumatoid factor, detected in laboratory blood tests. But some manifestations of this disease can be detected before this analysis, although the initial stage of the disease is not acute and without pronounced symptoms. As a rule, patients feel pain in the joints, the nature of which directly depends on the stage of the disease and the general condition of the body. First, the pain is felt in the morning, and then, as the inflammatory process develops, the pain is also felt during movement or at rest.
Seropositive arthritis affects connective tissues and blood vessels, as a result of which the condition of the circulatory system changes in patients and circulatory disorders occur. In addition, pathological processes spread to the lungs, pleurisy, fibrosing alveolitis and interstitial fibrosis develop. Patients begin to suffer from insufficient oxygen supply, they develop severe shortness of breath and a prolonged cough.
Under the influence of the disease, important organs such as the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes enlarge, and over time, digestive disorders and kidney failure can occur. In the advanced last stage, visible disturbances in the condition of the joints appear, when their usual position changes, flat feet and immobility may occur.
Symptoms of the disease
Most people with arthritis complain of:
- difficulty moving damaged joints;
- general weakness;
- the appearance of tumors, transformation in joint tissues;
- sudden weight loss;
- increased sweat production;
- body temperature.
Seropositive rheumatoid arthritis often occurs without obvious signs; as the disease intensifies, signs indicating the disease appear. It is not difficult for doctors to make a diagnosis, regardless of the type of arthritis.
In most cases, the disease develops in the body before the first signs of the disease appear. The patient's medical history is the first document that the doctor studies before making a diagnosis. Significant symptoms appear at a certain stage of the disease.
Basically, doctors diagnose the patient with rheumatoid seropositive polyarthritis. When the disease occurs, not just one joint is affected, but several at the same time.
Diagnostics
To begin treatment for seropositive RA, it is first necessary to establish an accurate diagnosis and exclude similar diseases. For this purpose the following examinations are carried out:
- Determination of the presence of rheumatoid factor in the blood;
- Conducting general analysis;
- Conducting a study of joint fluid;
- X-ray or tomographic examination.
In the case of existing extra-articular manifestations, the condition and functioning of various organs that are susceptible to changes from the effects of the seropositive form of arthritis are assessed. Great importance is attached to the following in the final diagnosis:
- Increased levels of rheumatoid factor;
- Inflammatory processes that have spread to the joints;
- Existing rheumatoid nodules;
- Deviations in the composition of the blood;
- Stiffness of joints in the morning;
- Symmetry of lesions.
Disease research methods
To make a conclusion, it is worth taking a blood test. Laboratory assistants check the resulting material for the presence of rheumatoid factor. If such an element is present in the blood, the doctor can be confident in the diagnosis. Doctors send the patient for an X-ray examination. Asymmetrical arrangement of joints, ankylosis, erosion can be seen in the picture. The patient's hemoglobin decreases, the number of leukocytes increases, and the ESR level rises. Changes in the patient's tests indicate the presence of an inflammatory process in the body.
Moderate amounts of protein are found in the patient's urine. The lymphatic system changes, there is a decrease in T-lymphocytes, an increase in the amount of cryoglobulin and antikeratin bodies. During the study, fluid is taken from the joints for analysis. The analysis allows you to determine signs of inflammation.
Differences between seronegative and seropositive RA
Both forms of RA are considered autoimmune, when immunoglobulins are mistaken for foreign by one’s own immunity and eliminated by it. With the development of seropositive RA, antibodies affect the membranes of the joints, causing inflammation and further destruction. Patients feel unwell and rheumatoid nodules are found in the elbow joints, which is a characteristic feature of seropositive RA. In addition, this form of the disease is often manifested by point necrosis of the skin and fever. Even the initial stage of the disease is characterized by an increase in ESR, the appearance of leukocytosis and a shift in the blood count to the left.
X-rays reveal a predominance of ankylosis over erosions, disorders of the articulations of the wrist joints and deformation in the joints of the feet. According to observations, seropositive RA leads to earlier vascular damage than its seronegative form. Complications of the disease include damage to small and medium-sized vessels, which causes numbness in the fingers and the development of hypertension.
Read also: Diagnosis of spondyloarthrosis
With the development of a seronegative form of RA, rheumatoid nodules do not form or form in very rare cases, so they cannot be considered characteristic signs of the disease. In this case, the main signs are inflammation in the lymph nodes and damage to the skeletal muscles. The advanced stage of both types of rheumatoid arthritis does not differ from each other, just as the damage to their joints is not particularly different.
Since rheumatoid arthritis is a complex articular disease caused by numerous factors with the spread of the pathological process to many organs and systems of the body, therefore, when treating it, it is necessary to follow a certain direction that does not depend on seropositivity for rheumatoid factor. In both cases, anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed, and hormonal or non-steroidal drugs are used as symptomatic therapy to eliminate pain. Physical therapy, various types of massage, and physiotherapy methods are used quite successfully. Although today it is impossible to completely cure both forms of rheumatoid arthritis, with the help of modern drugs it is possible to significantly alleviate their course.
Medicines
Treatment with drugs is best carried out in the initial stage of seropositive RA, since with ankylosis, changes in the affected joints are no longer amenable to therapy. For treatment, cytostatics, glucocorticoids, drugs in the form of Methotrexate, Penicillamine, Sulfasalazine are used, and Azathioprine and Cyclosporine are rarely used. For this pathology, medications in the form of glucocorticoids, such as Nycomed or Prednisone, are often prescribed.
In the active stage of inflammation and when the ongoing course of treatment is insufficiently effective, medications containing infliximab - Remicade - are prescribed.
Treatment with folk remedies
Often the use of painkillers is contraindicated due to health conditions, so you have to turn to folk remedies. Using these techniques, you can achieve a significant effect in alleviating the symptoms of seropositive RA, provided that the recommendations are strictly followed. For example, using the following treatment:
- Treatment with leeches . The hirudotherapy method is successfully used to treat many pathological conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis. The saliva of leeches contains a lot of the substance hirudin, as well as anesthetic substances and analgesics. The use of hirudotherapy allows you to obtain an effect that is not inferior to many medications and reduce the dose of the drug.
- Use of compresses. Cold or warm compresses are used to relieve arthritis symptoms such as pain and inflammation. Cold ones are used during the period of exacerbation, when the temperature of the inflamed joint rises to 40 degrees. For this purpose, use ice or a special gel, applying them for 15 minutes up to three times a day. Warm compresses will be used during periods of remission.
- Ointments and balms . These remedies are used for inflammation of the joints; they are capable of producing a cooling effect, and also have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
Wrap at home
Paraffin wraps are considered a time-tested method of treating seropositive RA. For this procedure, paraffin heated in a water bath to 50 degrees is applied for half an hour to the sore joints and wrapped on top. Such wraps are carried out every other day, alternately with other compresses. Based on the condition of the disease, the entire course may include up to thirty procedures.
Physical therapy exercises
Experts have developed a special complex of physical therapy that can improve the condition of joints and surrounding tissues in seropositive forms of RA. With the help of dosed loads, blood circulation in the affected areas and their nutrition are improved. There are whole sets of exercises for the feet, knees and hands. The technique of execution, as well as the exercises themselves, are selected strictly individually, taking into account the general condition of the body. In case of exacerbation of the disease, in the case of the development of infectious processes, in the presence of cardiac or respiratory failure, exercise therapy is not carried out.
Only a specialist should conduct a course of therapeutic massage for seropositive rheumatoid arthritis. This type of physiotherapy is not used at high temperatures, in case of inflammation of the joint. Experts have developed special massage techniques that have a minimal traumatic effect on sore joints. A properly performed massage can improve blood circulation and joint mobility and increase the effectiveness of ointments and balms used.
Joints susceptible to disease
Rheumatoid seropositive polyarthritis often affects the joints of a person’s lower and upper extremities. These are mainly joints:
- maxillofacial;
- hip;
- ankle
Seropositive joint disease is characterized by destruction of the joints of the spine. The difference between this disease and rheumatoid disease is the severity of the disease and the transformation in the organs.
During the disease, joints and tissues are affected, and changes occur throughout the body. The main systems of the human body are subject to change. Therefore, the patient’s symptoms worsen and other diseases appear. People with seropositive arthritis experience the following diseases:
- lymph nodes increase in size;
- digestive disorders;
- the lungs are affected - pleurisy;
- vessels are affected systemically - vasculitis;
- pericardia, myocardia, endocardia, other changes in the heart muscle.
Treatment methods
There are many methods for treating seropositive arthritis: massage, exercises, compresses, ointments, decoctions, lotions, balms, baths, elixirs, wraps. Treatment of the disease only with folk remedies is ineffective and stupid. Therefore, everyone should see a doctor for a full examination.
After passing the tests and conducting the necessary studies, the doctor will diagnose the patient, which will allow him to choose the right treatment. The patient is sent for diagnostics in full of all important organs. Based on the results of the study, the doctor will determine the form and stage of polyarthritis.
Medicines will stop the development and spread of the inflammatory process throughout the body. Treatment reduces pain and slows down tissue transformation. Comprehensive correct treatment will restore the systems affected by the disease and strengthen the human immune system.
In addition to taking anti-inflammatory drugs, the patient must change his lifestyle. It is worth eating right, strengthening your immune system, avoiding exposure to harmful substances and external factors (viruses, stress, toxins), and getting more rest. The right image, comprehensive treatment of life will allow you to recover faster and be healthy.
Survey
The group of diseases associated with arthritic pathology is extensive, so a thorough medical examination is necessary to make an accurate diagnosis. Diagnosis is based on characteristic complaints, medical history, and medical examination data, which determines typical clinical symptoms.
Laboratory and cytological studies are important for determining the type of disease. Conducted:
- general blood and urine tests to confirm the presence of inflammation;
- biochemistry - reveals changes in the function of internal organs, as well as the presence or absence of specific proteins: CRP, sialic acids, seromucoid, Antistreptolysin O, fibrinogen;
- radiography or magnetic resonance imaging - determines the degree of damage to the joint and adjacent bone, the presence of osteoporosis, bone growths, abnormalities, and deformities.
Read also: Arthritis on the toes
Immunological studies can be considered the most important in the diagnosis of seropositive arthritis: determination of specific antibodies, immune complexes, and immunoglobulins in the blood or joint fluid. The detection of rheumatoid factor confirms with one hundred percent certainty that the disease is correct. Additional methods that have a high degree of probability include the latest studies such as examination for the presence of tumor necrosis factor and immunoglobulin to citrulline-containing peptide in the blood.
To identify concomitant pathologies, ultrasound scanning and electrocardiography are performed.