Sambhavna Seth talks about rheumatoid arthritis struggles; know its symptoms

New Delhi: Bhojpuri fame and TV actress Sambhavna Seth who also appeared on Bigg Boss recently opened up about her struggle with the autoimmune disorder rheumatoid arthritis. The condition targets the wrists, heels, hands, and knees – while talking about it in an interview, she spoke of struggling with stiffness, and extreme pain in the fingers and elbows. Although she was diagnosed with the condition years ago, it took a long time for her to finally come out of it, and now, when she is taking an IVF treatment, the actress believes that the RA factor in her blood might be activated once again.

What is rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune disease wherein the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues mistakenly. This condition is daunting as it targets several joints at the same time and may take a toll on the knees, wrists, and hands altogether.

RA-related inflammation affects the lining of the joints thereby causing joint deformity, damage, and painful swelling. Besides the joints, this condition can affect other organs as well – such as the blood vessels, eyes, skin, heart, and lungs.

What are the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis has no cure – however, with a timely diagnosis, one can manage the symptoms and even slow down its progression over time. Sometimes, the symptoms may get worse, but with the right approach and steps, they can be curbed as well. Although 40 per cent of patients experience discomfort in the eyes, heart, skin, or lungs, the early symptoms of the condition appear mainly in the shoulders, knees, elbows, and ankles.

Other signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include:

1. Unexplained weight loss
2. Weakness
3. Fatigue
4. Exhaustion
5. Pain and swelling in several joints
6. Joint stiffness that gets worse in the morning due to inactivity.

Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.