Rheumatoid arthritis is inflammatory and results in hot swollen joints. It is an autoimmune disorder that causes the body’s immune system to attack the joints.
Causes
Infections are likely common triggers for this attack.
Diagnosis
The American College of Rheumatology has defined the following criteria for rheumatoid arthritis:
- Morning stiffness lasting over 1 hour
- Arthritis and soft-tissue swelling in over 3 of 14 joints or joint groups
- Arthritis of hand joints
- Symmetric arthritis
- Subcutaneous nodules
- Rheumatoid factor at a level above the 95th percentile
- Radiological changes suggestive of joint erosion
At least four of these criteria need to be met for a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, although patients are sometimes treated despite the criteria not being met.
The childhood form of this disease is called "Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis."
Treatment
The treatments discussed in the section on arthritis apply to rheumatoid arthritis as well. In addition to those, add the following:
General Diet Advice
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Anti-inflammatory diet
It is worth considering dietary changes. Diet can play a major role in inflammatory arthritis.
A recent study tested the role of diet in 60 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. 30 patients were given a standard American diet and the other 30 an anti-inflammatory diet low in meat and high in fish oil for eight months, with supplements given to supply high levels of omega 3 fish oils daily. The patients on an anti-inflammatory diet had a 28% decrease in the number of tender joints.
In addition, decreasing inflammation by giving borage seed oil (supplying 1.4 g of Gamma Linolenic Acid, or "GLA") decreased the swollen joint score by 41% in the active group vs. a 40% worsening in the placebo group.
Recommended Supplements
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Multi-Nutrient Powder
Many other nutrients, including pantothenic acid, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, boron, copper, zinc, and selenium have been found to be deficient in those with rheumatoid arthritis, and supplementation with these can be helpful in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. These can be found in a good multi-nutrient powder.
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Fish Oil
Fish oil: 2 Vectomega tablets a day, or 16 fish oil capsules, or 2-3 tsp of fish oil daily.
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Willow Bark and Boswellia
Willow Bark and Boswellia 1-2 tabs 3 times a day.
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Curcumin
Take Curamin, a highly absorbed Curcumin that contains Boswellia (1 tablet 3x day).
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MSM
MSM 3,000+ mg a day.
Medications
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Antibiotics
Long term antibiotic therapy with minocycline can be very helpful in rheumatoid arthritis.
