X
theAsianparent Logo
theAsianparent Logo
Product GuideSign in
  • Awards
    • Parents' Choice Awards 2023
  • Pregnancy
    • Due date calculator
    • I'm pregnant
    • Trying To Conceive
    • Labour
    • After birth
    • Baby loss
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Child
    • Newborn
    • Baby
    • Toddler
    • Pre-Schooler
    • Kid
    • Pre-Teen & Teen
  • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diseases-Injuries
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Meal Planner
    • Health
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Pre-School
    • Primary School
    • Secondary School
    • Primary School Directory
  • Lifestyle
    • Money
    • Travel & Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Fitness
    • Contests & promotions
  • News
    • International
    • Health
    • Celebrity
    • Singapore
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Press Releases
  • Project Sidekicks
  • Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Become A Contributor
  • VIP

Stiffness, Pain, Swelling? Your Immune System Might Be Attacking Your Body

3 min read
Stiffness, Pain, Swelling? Your Immune System Might Be Attacking Your Body

Around 300 million people worldwide are affected by some form of autoimmune or autoinflammatory arthritis.

Around 300 million people worldwide are affected by some form of autoimmune or autoinflammatory arthritis. In this article, we’ll break down what autoimmune arthritis is.

What is Autoimmune Arthritis?

Autoimmune arthritis refers to the type of inflammation-driven arthritis caused by certain autoimmune diseases. These autoimmune diseases cause the body’s immune system to mistakenly attack normal cells. While ‘arthritis’ mainly relates to the joints and joint lining, the inflammation travels through the bloodstream and affects the entire body, including other organs and tissues.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common type of autoimmune arthritis. In fact, RA is the most common chronic inflammatory arthritis in Singapore, affecting around 1% of our population. The cause of RA is largely unknown and differs between individuals. It involves some combination of genetic and external triggers. Certain infectious agents in the environment trigger an inflammatory response in the body, causing the immune system to attack organs like the lungs and eyes.

rheumatoid arthritis symptoms

Image source: iStock

Symptoms of Autoimmune Arthritis

Symptoms are usually gradually progressive, more subtle, and often come and go. As a result, it could be hard to detect them in the early stages. According to the International Foundation for Autoimmune & Autoinflammatory Arthritis, these are the symptoms patients in the early stages of an autoimmune disease experienced:

  • Unusual and severe fatigue, not due to lack of rest or caffeine. 
  • Malaise – muscle weakness, and general discomfort.
  • Skin rashes- some skin rashes are associated with autoimmune conditions.
  • Fever, which could be low or high-spiking depending on the condition.

If you’re experiencing these symptoms of arthritis (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis), consult your doctor immediately to get diagnosed and treated as soon as possible:

  • Unusual stiffness or pain in the joints, especially after a period of inactivity (such as when waking up in the morning). Cold weather can also make arthritic joints stiffer, but thankfully, we live in a tropical climate that will not aggravate your condition.
  • Reduced range of motion, such as difficulty turning a faucet, gripping utensils, or even writing.
  • Swelling around the joints. Arthritis usually affects smaller joints like the wrist, hands, and feet.

Treatment for Autoimmune Arthritis

Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all solution for autoimmune arthritis. Treatment can involve a combination of medication, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, immunosuppressant drugs and more. Physical therapy can also help to strengthen the joints, reduce pain, and improve flexibility. In severe cases, surgery might be needed to replace badly damaged joints.

Stiffness, Pain, Swelling? Your Immune System Might Be Attacking Your Body

If you are experiencing rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, it is advised to consult your doctor immediately. | Image source: iStock

How Speedoc Can Help

Displaying some of the above-mentioned symptoms and worried that you might have developed autoimmune arthritis? Get connected with a Speedoc doctor within minutes with our telemedicine service to get your queries answered. Prefer a face-to-face consultation with a doctor? Speedoc’s on-demand doctors and nurses are available to make a house visit any time of the day.

If you have already been diagnosed with arthritis, Speedoc can refer you to a rheumatologist from our network of specialists, who will be able to help you devise a personalised care plan. For simple medicine refills, Speedoc can help arrange for medicine delivery to your door as well.

Learn more about Speedoc and how it can help you get professional healthcare whenever you need it, wherever you are. Visit their website at: https://speedoc.com/sg/

This article was first published in Speedoc and republished on theAsianparent with permission.

Lead image source: iStock

Partner Stories
4 Good Toilet Hygiene Habits for Kids to Have Early in Life
4 Good Toilet Hygiene Habits for Kids to Have Early in Life
Flu in Singapore: Is Your Family Protected?
Flu in Singapore: Is Your Family Protected?
6 Top Ways to Prevent Diaper Rash
6 Top Ways to Prevent Diaper Rash
Experiencing Mood Swings, Irregular Periods and Weight Gain Among Other Things? Here’s What You Need to Know About Hormonal Imbalance
Experiencing Mood Swings, Irregular Periods and Weight Gain Among Other Things? Here’s What You Need to Know About Hormonal Imbalance

ALSO READ: 

Mum shares son’s struggle with juvenile arthritis in Singapore

Flatfoot in children: How to identify and correct it

Stiffness, Pain, Swelling? Your Immune System Might Be Attacking Your Body

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

SPEEDOC

  • Home
  • /
  • Health
  • /
  • Stiffness, Pain, Swelling? Your Immune System Might Be Attacking Your Body
Share:
  • Severe gum disease might cause rheumatoid arthritis

    Severe gum disease might cause rheumatoid arthritis

  • Mum Shares Son's Struggle With Juvenile Arthritis in Singapore

    Mum Shares Son's Struggle With Juvenile Arthritis in Singapore

  • 'Family is Priceless': Malaysian Man in Singapore Rents 2 Buses So He and 60 Other Strangers Can Join Their Families for CNY

    'Family is Priceless': Malaysian Man in Singapore Rents 2 Buses So He and 60 Other Strangers Can Join Their Families for CNY

  • I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

    I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

  • Severe gum disease might cause rheumatoid arthritis

    Severe gum disease might cause rheumatoid arthritis

  • Mum Shares Son's Struggle With Juvenile Arthritis in Singapore

    Mum Shares Son's Struggle With Juvenile Arthritis in Singapore

  • 'Family is Priceless': Malaysian Man in Singapore Rents 2 Buses So He and 60 Other Strangers Can Join Their Families for CNY

    'Family is Priceless': Malaysian Man in Singapore Rents 2 Buses So He and 60 Other Strangers Can Join Their Families for CNY

  • I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

    I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Education
    • Events
    • Allergies & Conditions
  • Family Occasions
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Child Safety
    • Health
    • Diseases-Injuries
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Money
    • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diet & Weightloss
  • Normal Delivery
    • Cesarean Delivery
    • Behaviour
    • Secondary School
    • Formula Feeding
  • Ages & Stages
    • Latching & Concerns
    • Festivals & Holidays
    • Education
    • Pre-teen & Teen
  • More
    • TAP Community
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright theAsianparent 2023. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

theAsianparent heart icon
We’d like to send you notifications for the latest news and updates on baby care and health.