“Many people with RA experience swelling, changes in the shape of their hands and feet, weight gain or loss, and difficulty walking. These body changes can affect how a person views herself and her body,” says Helen L.
Arthritis can cause painful, swollen knees or fingers that are impossible to ignore. But other parts of the body, including the skin, eyes and lungs can also be affected.
Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lifespan
People with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may appear to age faster than those who don't have the disease, but in reality, this may just be a reflection of the fact people with RA have shorter life expectancies, according to one study in Arthritis & Rheumatology.
Signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis may include: Tender, warm, swollen joints. Joint stiffness that is usually worse in the mornings and after inactivity. Fatigue, fever and loss of appetite.
Rheumatoid vasculitis is an unusual complication of long-standing severe rheumatoid arthritis, typically involving small to medium sized vessels in any organ of the body. In the skin, rheumatoid vasculitis can present as palpable purpura, nailfold infarcts, digital necrosis, ulcers, and urticarial vasculitis.
The most common eye-related symptom of rheumatoid arthritis is dryness. Dry eyes are prone to infection, and if untreated, severe dry eyes can cause damage to the cornea, the clear, dome-shaped surface of the eye that helps your eye focus.
The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis often develop gradually over several weeks, but some cases can progress quickly over a number of days. The symptoms vary from person to person. They may come and go, or change over time. You may experience flares when your condition deteriorates and your symptoms become worse.
No blood test can definitively prove or rule out a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, but several tests can show indications of the condition. Some of the main blood tests used include: erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) – which can help assess levels of inflammation in the body.
RA can result in weight loss or gain, depending on a person's symptoms, medications, and overall health. While maintaining a moderate weight can be challenging, being underweight can potentially cause harm. If a person loses weight as a result of their medications or symptoms, they should talk with their doctor.
What's the age of onset for rheumatoid arthritis? RA usually starts to develop between the ages of 30 and 60. But anyone can develop rheumatoid arthritis. In children and young adults — usually between the ages of 16 and 40 — it's called young-onset rheumatoid arthritis (YORA).
Answer: Being underweight can certainly be a problem for people with RA. The same pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF, that damage the joint tissue in people with RA can also lead to weight loss, muscle wasting and weakness.
Ulceration in RA is usually a sign of vasculitis, which involves inflammation of the blood vessels. If ulcers develop, this could indicate that the person has more active disease affecting their whole system. RA can also cause: thin, wrinkled skin that bruises easily.
If you have rheumatoid arthritis, you're at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD is a general term that describes conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels, and it includes life-threatening problems such as heart attack and stroke.
A lot of people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) report having trouble with memory, attention, and mental focus. They forget names and appointments, struggle to find the right words and have trouble making and carrying out plans.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has many physical and social consequences and can lower quality of life. It can cause pain, disability, and premature death. Premature heart disease. People with RA are also at a higher risk for developing other chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.
Heart disease should be considered a serious cause for concern among people with RA, even those who've yet to reach middle age.
Take Your Medication
Medications to treat RA include: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen. Corticosteroids, such as prednisone. Conventional DMARDs, which can slow RA progression and possibly save the joints from permanent damage.
Lupus and Scleroderma
The autoimmune diseases systemic lupus erythematosus and scleroderma are two separate conditions but often present with joint involvement that mimics rheumatoid arthritis.
People describe it as being overwhelming and uncontrollable. They feel worn out and drained of energy, and sometimes even lose all interest in anything. It can increase the need for sleep and make it hard to concentrate or do anything.
Two of the most common types are rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). OA is more common than RA. Both involve inflammation in the joints, but RA causes much more inflammation.
Pain from these autoimmune diseases can make it difficult for some people to brush or floss their teeth. A study conducted at the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center found that gum disease and tooth loss are more prevalent in people who have rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Your optometrist can detect rheumatoid arthritis. This can be detected if you have dry eyes or if you experience painful inflammation at least twice a year. The optometrist can also recommend further test in order to confirm this health problem.
RA can cause inflammation of both the iris and the uvea, resulting in conditions known as iritis and uveitis. Symptoms can range from dark floaters and blurry vision, to eye pain, light sensitivity and redness.