Rheumatoid Awareness Day 2023: Smoking, obesity are key factors for Rheumatoid Arthritis, says Dr Nidhi Dahiya – Times of India

Karnal: Smoking and obesity are key factors behind the increasing number of cases of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), said the medical experts.
Giving a statement on World Rheumatoid Awareness Day, Dr Nidhi Dahiya, Consultant Physician & Rheumatologist posted in Kalpana Chawla Medical College (KCGMC), Karnal advised people to take this disease seriously and keep himself healthy.
She said,” The RA is a chronic inflammatory disorder when the body’s immune system attacks the body’s tissue thereby damaging the joints and its linings. This tissue damage can cause long lasting chronic pains and deformity besides affecting other organs like Lungs, Heart, Eyes, Skin and Kidneys.”
Around 1.3 crore Indians suffer from this disease. In patients with advanced joint deformities surgery is recommended. Hence, it is important to recognise and treat this disease early to prevent joint deformities and other complications, Dr. Dahiya added.
Dr Nidhi said that R.A can be effectively diagnosed by a Rheumatologist based on Clinical Examination, Blood tests, Xray, MRI of Joints. Treatment is usually targeted to slow down the disease and prevent Joint deformity.
She said that Rheumatoid Arthritis usually is a genetic disease however certain factors such as smoking and obesity can also increase its risk. It can affect any age group including children, however elderly and females have greater predisposition to develop RA.
She said that daily low impact exercises and yoga can prove beneficial to avoid this disease.