Rheumatoid arthritis describes an autoimmune disorder which leads to an inflammation of the joints (arthritis). The cause is still unknown but can be related to genes and the environment. Lifestyle changes and medication can help to alleviate the symptoms. In severe cases surgery of affected joints may be needed.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune inflammatory disease of the joints. It causes swelling, pain, stiffness and even total destruction with loss of function in the joints. Generally, it can affect any joint but is most common in the fingers and in the wrist. It is an autoimmune disease, which means that the inflammation results from the immune system attacking the body's own tissues.
The exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unclear. But as far as it is known, it is a disease resulting from the attack of the own immune system against the synovial, a structure of the joint. This can lead to an inflammation of every joint in the body. However, there is a typical pattern of distribution of joint inflammations. It is most commonly present in the base and middle joints of the fingers, the wrist, the base joint of the toes, the shoulder, knee and ankle. Besides genes, environmental factors, such as viruses and bacteria, are thought to play a role in causing rheumatoid arthritis. Most common the rheumatoid arthritis proceeds relapsing and chronic, which means it will never heal completely. However, some people have this disease for only a short time. The symptoms are swelling, pain, redness and stiffness in the joints. But sometimes it may also affects other organs such as the tendons, the bursae, the skin (rheumatoid nodule), the conjunctiva or even the heart and lungs. Severe forms of the disease can lead to total joint destruction. People with rheumatoid arthritis may also feel fatigued and sick. Sometimes they can develop light fever.
The treatments are aimed at relieving the pain, reducing swelling, halting joint damage, and helping patients feel better and remain active. Treatments may include: 1) lifestyle changes: keeping a good balance between rest and exercise, avoiding strain on the joints, lowering stress levels and following a healthy diet, 2) medication: This involves pain relievers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids and so called biologica, which aim to reduce the autoimmune response, 3) surgery: In cases of sever joint destruction, only surgery, such as joint stiffening and artificial joint implantation, can help to reduce pain and enable sufferers to lead a more active life. Patients should visit their doctor regularly to make sure their condition is under control.
Several years of work in academia, medical practice and finally commercialization make it possible to provide an end-to-end process to help users to “find the appropriate medical help based on their present symptoms”. Below you will find a short explanation, showing you which part of the platform will help you best in finding the appropriate medical support.
Proceed as follows to enter your current symptoms.
Click on the appropriate body part on the picture. Select one/multiple symptoms corresponding to your complaint.
You can also add symptoms by typing your medical complaint in the search box and selecting the best matching suggestion.
Note: Your information will be kept anonymously.
Once you have selected all applicable symptoms, click the “analyze disease pattern”-button.
Accordingly, you will get a list of possible diseases and matching doctor categories who can further help you.
You can inform yourself about the possible diseases by reading the related information. But you can also return to the previous step and add more symptoms or delete already added ones to further narrow down your disease pattern.
Click on the desired doctor category to find a doctor who can help you.
If you are logged in with your profile, you will be displayed the appropriate doctors in your area. Otherwise you can enter an address in the “address” field and you will be displayed a doctor’s list around that specified address.
You will receive further information about the displayed doctors when you press on “details”.
Online bookable doctors in your area will be indicated with the notation “Book appointment” or “Book externally”, additionally they will be displayed on top of the list for your convenience.
Click on “Book appointment” to start the online appointment booking process with the desired doctor.
Please select an available appointment. “Green“ appointments are booked directly. “Red“ appointments need to be confirmed by the doctor.
Enter your general personal and health information.
Enter your present medical symptoms.
Enter your mobile phone number to identify yourself and you can finalize the appointment booking.
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