Explain RA. Tell them that it's a long-term health condition that affects your joints and other parts of your body. You also may want to mention that it can happen because of genetics and environmental factors. Talk about your symptoms. Tell your friends and family how RA may limit what you can do.
Rheumatoid arthritis causes joint pain and swelling, reduced mobility and physical weakness. General tiredness, trouble sleeping and exhaustion are other common symptoms. All of these symptoms can greatly affect your everyday life and overall wellbeing. Living with rheumatoid arthritis isn't always easy.
The difficult nature of rheumatoid arthritis can mean some people develop depression or feelings of stress and anxiety. Sometimes these feelings can be related to poorly controlled pain or fatigue. Living with a long-term condition makes you more likely to have emotions such as frustration, fear, anger and resentment.
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.
Rheumatoid arthritis is considered a qualifying disability under SSDI, but it must be advanced to meet the requirements. This means your rheumatoid arthritis must be severe enough to prevent you from working for at least 12 months.
The joint pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis is usually a throbbing and aching pain. It is often worse in the mornings and after a period of inactivity.
In the study, the median survival rate for healthy adults was approximately 82 years while the median survival rate for people with RA was approximately 77 years.
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.
The typical case of rheumatoid arthritis begins insidiously, with the slow development of signs and symptoms over weeks to months. Often the patient first notices stiffness in one or more joints, usually accompanied by pain on movement and by tenderness in the joint.
Methotrexate is usually the first medicine given for rheumatoid arthritis, often with another DMARD and a short course of steroids (corticosteroids) to relieve any pain. These may be combined with biological treatments.
Just as the effects of weather vary, the best climate may not be the same for all people. But based on research, it appears that for most people with arthritis, a warmer, drier climate may be optimal, such as that in parts of Texas, Arizona, Nevada and the Eastern Sierra region of California.
RA flare-ups are caused by one or more triggers, including diet, stress, illness, weather changes, smoking, and overexertion. The most common signs of RA are joint pain and swelling, fatigue, and joint stiffness, especially in the morning and after sitting for long periods.
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.
The joints most often affected by RA are in the hands, wrists, feet, ankles, knees, shoulders, and elbows. Symptoms may include joint pain, stiffness, and swelling; decreased and painful movement; bumps over small joints; and fatigue or fever.
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.
But exercise is one of the key treatments to help reduce the disability often associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Regular exercise can boost strength and flexibility in people who have rheumatoid arthritis. Stronger muscles can better support your joints, while improved flexibility can aid joint function.
Elevate Your Legs and Find the Right Position
It can be helpful to slide a pillow under your knees, if you sleep on your back, to alleviate pressure on knee joints, hips, and back while you sleep. If you're a side sleeper, place a pillow or two between your knees, advises the Arthritis Foundation.
Walking really is like medicine. It eases RA pain and strengthens the muscles that support your joints. It can boost your mood, help you sleep better, and make you fit enough to keep doing the things you love to do. It lowers your blood pressure and could help you live longer, too.
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.
People with RA are almost twice as likely to develop heart disease as those without the condition. Having RA makes you more likely to experience a serious cardiovascular event like a heart attack or stroke. But just because your joints are inflamed, that doesn't mean you're destined to have heart troubles.
If rheumatoid arthritis is not treated early or is not well controlled, the inflammation in your joints could lead to significant and permanent damage. Problems that can affect the joints include: damage to nearby bone and cartilage (a tough, flexible material that covers the surface of joints)