What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease which occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the joints, creating inflammation that thickens the the tissue lining the inside of the joints resulting in swelling and pain.

What is a Rheumatoid Arthritis “flare”?

A flare is referred to as a period of increased inflammation or the worsening of the arthritis symptoms. Medications normally taken to control the disease don’t seem to work as well during flares, which can be a frustrating and painful experience for rheumatoid arthritis sufferers.

Are there complications?

If inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis goes unchecked or untreated, damage to the cartilage, tissue, and even the bones themselves can occur. Joint damage cannot be reversed, and deformity of the joints may also occur as they become loose, unstable, and lose their mobility.

It is important to get an early diagnosis and to start aggressive treatment if your senior needing elder care at home is showing signs or symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Can flares be prevented?

If your senior already has been diagnosed, there are things that can be incorporated into their elder care routine at home that can help to prevent flares.

• Prevent sickness. Sometimes easier said than done, however any sort of cold or flu virus can cause a flare up of rheumatoid arthritis. Make sure your senior and anyone helping them with their elder care at home is practicing good hand washing techniques and keeping sick visitors away.
• Get enough sleep. Poor sleep is another trigger for rheumatoid arthritis flares by increasing the levels of stress hormones which can trigger an attack.
• Get their diet in check. Processed foods and a diet high in sugar can lead to a worsening immune response so its vital that your senior maintains a good diet and an appropriate body weight.
• Avoid stress. This is another tip that can be hard to control, but we know that people who are stressed all the time are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis flares. Attempt to help them manage their stress by finding quiet ways where they can respond to high stress times, such as reading, knitting, or with a daily meditation practice.
• Quit bad habits. If your senior is a smoker, encourage them to break the habit sooner rather than later. A study by the American College of Rheumatology found that smokers have a higher rate of arthritis flares than non-smokers.
• Know when to stop. Exercise and daily physical activity is so important for seniors, even those with rheumatoid arthritis. However, too much exercise is not a good thing and can lead to overexertion which is another flare trigger for sufferers of the disease.  Doctors recommend keeping activity moderate to prevent doing more damage than good.

People with Rheumatoid arthritis experience different reactions during flares, with a varying degree in intensity, frequency, and duration, but if treated right away they are usually reversible. It’s vital to seek treatment as soon as possible so encourage them to listen to their body and know what to do when a flare-up begins.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering Elder Care in Green Valley, NV,  please contact the caring staff at Compassion Crest Home Care.

source:

https://www.healthination.com/health/rheumatoid-arthritis-flare-triggers

https://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/types/rheumatoid-arthritis/what-is-rheumatoid-arthritis.php