We have talked in “Osteoarthritis vs. Rheumatoid Arthritis part 1” about osteoarthritis, its causes and symptoms of it.
Now, it’s the turn to know about a dangerous disease called “Rheumatoid Arthritis“.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
It is a systemic inflammatory disease, which in the primary phase affects the joint, with the possibility of expanding to other organs, like lungs, skin, or kidneys.
The aspect of joints affected by this illness is that they appear deformed and, very often, they are painful, which in time causes the loss of their use and mobility.
It is a very complex disease, which affects not only the joints, but the capsules of it, and ends up by developing fibrous tissue around them.
Swollen Joints in Hands due to Rheumatoid Arthritis |
The bone and cartilage are also damaged, and there is a danger of the disease to attack other important organs in the body.
The causes that are at the base of this disease are not fully acknowledged, although it is classified as a chronic autoimmune disease. What triggers this illness is not established for sure, but it is believed it is the response of a deficit immune system.
Half of the risk is associated with genetic background, and the other half as external factors, like excessive smoking, lack of vitamin D and calcium.
So, in order to prepare our bodies to fight against these diseases, we need to be careful about our lifestyle. Making regular physical exercises, to both increase and strengthen our muscles and mobility and to keep our body weight at normal values, will remove the stress off our joints.
Also, an excellently conceived diet, which contains a broad diversity of nutrients, vitamins and proteins, to help our body maintain a strong immune system.
We can always improve the absorption of vitamins and calcium in our bodies with the help of calcium supplements. It is hard to get all the amount we need just from daily food. Calcium supplements can be found simple, or in combination with various other minerals, like magnesium, iron or potassium.
The best choice is the one containing vitamin D3 as it helps the calcium fix faster in our bones, reducing losses due to inadequate metabolism. In combination with magnesium, these supplements are also great, because it helps the nervous system. Regardless of the way you choose to take it, calcium supplements will definitely help keep a strong bones and healthy joints.