What is Reactive arthritis?
Reactive arthritis (ReA) is a type of inflammatory arthritis that occurs in response to an infection in another part of the body. It is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues, resulting in inflammation in the joints, eyes, skin, and urogenital tract. ReA can be difficult to diagnose, as there are no specific diagnostic tests for it and symptoms may vary from person to person. To diagnose ReA, a doctor may take a detailed medical history and perform a physical exam.
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| Reactive arthritis |
Medical terms
Reactive arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that can develop after exposure to certain bacteria or viruses. It is characterized by inflammation of the joints, urethra, eyes and mouth. Some of the most common symptoms of reactive arthritis are pain and swelling of the joints, redness and swelling of the eyes, and painful or difficult urination. This condition can be quite debilitating and can have a major impact on quality of life.
Reactive arthritis, also known formally as Reiter's Syndrome, is an uncommon condition that is caused by infection or injury. It is a type of inflammatory arthritis that affects the joints, eyes, and urinary tract. Symptoms of reactive arthritis can include pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints as well as inflammation of the eyes, urethra, or cervix. It is more commonly found in men than women and usually occurs within 3-6 weeks after an infection or injury.
Symptoms Reactive arthritis
Reactive arthritis is your frame’s response to a bacterial infection. Reactive arthritis symptoms broaden about 10 days after your bacterial infection.
The symptoms and signs and symptoms of reactive arthritis generally begin 1 to four weeks after exposure to a triggering contamination. They would possibly consist of:
Pain and stiffness. The joint pain associated with reactive arthritis maximum normally occurs within the knees, ankles and feet. Pain may arise within the heels, low lower back or buttocks.
Eye inflammation. Many human beings who have reactive arthritis additionally develop eye infection (conjunctivitis).
Urinary issues. Increased frequency and soreness for the duration of urination may arise, as can irritation of the prostate gland or cervix.
Inflammation of tendons and ligaments wherein they attach to bone (enthesitis). This takes place most customarily inside the heels and the sole of the feet.
Swollen toes or hands. In some cases, toes or fingers may end up so swollen that they appear to be sausages.
Skin troubles. Reactive arthritis can affect skin in a ramification of approaches, including mouth sores and a rash on the soles of the toes and palms of the fingers.
Low again pain. The ache has a tendency to be worse at night or in the morning.
When to peer a doctor
If you increase joint ache inside a month of getting diarrhea or a genital infection, contact your fitness care issuer.
Causes Reactive arthritis
Researchers think reactive arthritis is an autoimmune sickness. Autoimmune disorders happen while your body sets out to assault bacteria or viruses and hits healthful tissue with the aid of mistakes.
Reactive arthritis develops in response to an infection in your body, often on your intestines, genitals or urinary tract. You won't be privy to the triggering infection if it causes mild signs or none at all.
Numerous bacteria can reason reactive arthritis. Some are transmitted sexually, and others are foodborne. The most not unusual ones include:
Campylobacter
Chlamydia
Clostridium difficile
Escherichia coli
Salmonella
Shigella
Yersinia
Reactive arthritis is not contagious. However, the microorganism that causes it is able to be transmitted sexually or in contaminated food. Only a number of the folks that are uncovered to those bacteria broaden reactive arthritis.
Risk Reactive arthritis
Certain elements growth your hazard of reactive arthritis:
Age. Reactive arthritis takes place maximum regularly in adults among the a while of 20 and forty.
Sex. Women and men are similarly possibly to develop reactive arthritis in response to foodborne infections. However, men are much more likely than are ladies to expand reactive arthritis in response to sexually transmitted microorganisms.
Hereditary elements. A precise genetic marker has been linked to reactive arthritis. But the majority who have this marker by no means expand the condition.
Prevention Reactive arthritis
Genetic elements appear to play a role in whether or not you are probably to develop reactive arthritis. Though you can not change your genetic makeup, you can lessen your publicity to the microorganism that can cause reactive arthritis.
Store your meals at the right temperatures and prepare dinner nicely. Doing this stuff assists you keep away from the numerous foodborne microorganisms that could motivate reactive arthritis, consisting of salmonella, shigella, yersinia and campylobacter. Some sexually transmitted infections can trigger reactive arthritis. Use condoms to help decrease your risk.
What's the difference between arthritis and reactive arthritis?
Arthritis is a term used to describe a group of conditions that affect the joints and surrounding tissues. Generally, arthritis involves joint swelling, pain, and stiffness, although there are many different forms. Reactive arthritis is a type of inflammatory arthritis that is caused by an infection in another part of the body. It is different from other types of arthritis in that it is triggered by an infection and not due to wear and tear or other conditions.
Arthritis is a broadly used term that covers a variety of different conditions involving joint pain and stiffness. The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which is caused by the gradual wear and tear of joint cartilage. Reactive arthritis, on the other hand, is an inflammation of the joints caused by an infection, usually from bacteria or a virus. While the symptoms of both may seem similar, reactive arthritis is usually more acute and can be accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, rash, and eye inflammation.
Diagnosis Reactive arthritis
During the bodily examination, your health practitioner is likely to test your joints for swelling, warmth and tenderness, and check the variety of motion in your backbone and affected joints. Your physician may also take a look at your eyes for irritation and your pores and skin for rashes.
Your company might use the subsequent tests:
Joint aspiration (arthrocentesis).
Treatment Reactive arthritis
The aim of remedy is to manage your signs and symptoms and deal with an infection that would nevertheless be a gift.
Medications
If your reactive arthritis was precipitated through a bacterial contamination, your physician might prescribe an antibiotic if there's evidence of continual contamination. Which antibiotic you take relies upon the micro organism which can be a gift.
Signs and symptoms of reactive arthritis can be eased with:
Nonsteroidal anti inflammatory capsules (NSAIDs). Prescription NSAIDs, consisting of indomethacin (Indocin), can relieve the infection and ache of reactive arthritis.
Steroids. A steroid injection into affected joints can reduce infection and permit you to return to your traditional pastime level. Steroid eye drops may be used for eye signs and symptoms, and steroid lotions are probably used for pores and skin rashes.
Rheumatoid arthritis capsules. Limited evidence indicates that medications which include sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), methotrexate (Trexall) or etanercept (Enbrel) can relieve ache and stiffness for a few human beings with reactive arthritis.
Physical remedy
A bodily therapist can provide you with targeted exercises in your joints and muscles. Strengthening physical games increases the joint's help through developing the muscle mass around the affected joints. Range-of-movement physical games can boom your joints' flexibility and decrease stiffness.
Preparing in your appointment
You'll in all likelihood begin by way of seeing your number one care issuer, who might refer you to a doctor who focuses on arthritis (rheumatologist) for in addition evaluation.
What you can do
When you are making the appointment, ask if there's anything you want to do in advance, consisting of fasting before having a selection to take a look at. Make a listing of:
Your signs and symptoms, inclusive of any that seem unrelated to the cause for your appointment
Key private facts, including your clinical history and your own family's scientific history
All medications, vitamins or other dietary supplements you take, including doses
Questions to invite the doctor
Take a member of the family or buddy alongside, if possible, that will help you remember the facts you're given. For reactive arthritis, simple questions to ask your health practitioner consist of:
What is likely to inflict my signs or circumstance?
What are other possible reasons?
What checks do I need?
What treatment approach do you advise?
How soon do you anticipate my signs to enhance with remedy?
Is there something I can do now to help relieve my joint ache?
Am I liable to lengthy-time period headaches from this situation?
I even have these other fitness situations. How can I exceptionally manage them collectively?
Don't hesitate to ask other questions.
What to anticipate out of your medical doctor
Your medical doctor is probably to invite you a number of questions, together with:
When did your symptoms start?
Have they been continuous or occasional?
How extreme are your signs?
What, if whatever, appears to improve your symptoms?
What, if whatever, seems to worsen your signs and symptoms?
Have you had a current infection?
General summary
Arthritis and reactive arthritis differ in their causes, symptoms, and treatments. Arthritis is a general term that refers to inflammation or damage to a joint, while reactive arthritis is a type of arthritis that is caused by an infection in another part of the body. The symptoms of arthritis often include pain and stiffness in the joints, while reactive arthritis can cause joint pain and other symptoms such as eye irritation and discomfort in the urinary tract. Treatment for arthritis usually involves medications and lifestyle changes, while reactive arthritis may be treated with antibiotics to fight the underlying infection, as well as anti-inflammatory medications.
Arthritis is an umbrella term for many different joint diseases and conditions that cause pain, stiffness, and swelling. Reactive arthritis is a type of arthritis that is caused by an infection in the body. The infection triggers a reaction in the joints, which leads to inflammation and pain. The symptoms of reactive arthritis can range from mild to severe, and in some cases, may even last for several months or years.