Immune System Supplements Help with Rheumatoid Arthritis

The manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) emerges differently for each individual; therefore, the identification of typical stages of the disease can prove difficult. Some patients report that RA continues for a couple of years and then becomes dormant, while others go through bouts of inflammation or flares and then go through periods of remission. In critical cases, the disease remains persistent for years and results in severe joint damage and disability. For many RA sufferers immune system supplements have proven helpful in remediating some of the symptoms.

Any joint can suffer an attack by RA. Most of the time the onset proves apparent on the smaller joints of the hands, and it usually equally affects both sides of the body. RA symptoms include inflammation, joint pain, fatigue, sporadic fevers, and a general condition of overall malaise or feeling sick. To help with inflammation one of the best immune system supplements on the market is serrapeptase. Serrapeptase works directly on inflammation issues.

RA starts when the immune system assails the cells of the synovium, or the tissues that line the joints of the body. White blood cells mass in this synovial tissue, causing inflammation when synovial cells abnormally multiply. White blood cells manufacture cytokines substances responsible for transmitting messages between cells. Cytokines cause inflammation as a result of infection in healthy cells. Immune system supplements can help balance out the abnormal activity of the immune system.

However, in RA researchers have found cytokines overproduce, resulting in having such abnormal cells plague and damage the cartilage and bones that make up the joint as the disease develops. This condition eventually weakens the muscles, tendons and ligaments in the area and may fuse together as the joint wears away. This will result in pain, loss of joint function and deformities. Organic forms of immune system supplements such as glucosamine can help support healthy cartilage.

Untreated RA can cause permanent destruction of tissues and bones. It also alters the alignment of bones, which in turn leads to difficulty doing simple tasks. Medical practitioners believe the damage RA causes starts early; therefore, you should commence treatment immediately. Doctors should administer potent drugs as soon as possible rather than waiting for the disease to progress.

However, the long term use of prescription drugs for the treatment of RA can be just as bad as the RA itself. Certain immune system supplements such as quality aloe vera may help cut down on the need to take so many prescriptions.

Joint problems that may also arise due to RA being left untreated include the following:

• ·         Ulnar drift, or the enlargement of the joints. Tendons and ligaments move out of position, resulting in the fingers beginning to curve toward the little finger;
• ·         Swan-neck deformities, or alterations of the tissues around the finger joints. This causes abnormal twisting and straightening of the fingers;
• ·         Mallet finger, or the curling of the fingertip which the sufferer cannot straighten;
• ·         Tendon loosening or breakage;
• ·         Movement problems;
• ·         Locked joints;
• ·         Hammer toes, or the abnormal twisting of the toes;
• ·         Bunions, or the bending of the big toe toward the little toe;
• ·         Pes planus, or the release of the arch joint in the middle of the foot that results in a flat foot;
• ·         Valgus hind foot, or a condition in which the foot bends outward.