How serious is rheumatoid arthritis?

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.

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Is rheumatoid arthritis a big deal?

RA is a very serious autoimmune disease, in which your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body's tissues and causes severe joint pain, stiffness, severe fatigue, and sometimes deformity, usually in the hands, shoulders, knees, and/or feet.

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Is rheumatoid arthritis a terminal illness?

RA is a chronic condition with no known cure. People do not die from RA. However, it can lead to serious complications that can compromise overall health. A person with RA may have a reduced life expectancy.

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Can you live a long normal life with rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes pain and swelling in different joints in the body and can also affect the internal organs. It's possible to live a long life with RA, but it is estimated that the disease can potentially reduce life expectancy by 3 to 10 years.

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How fast does rheumatoid arthritis progress?

Erosions of bone and destruction of cartilage, occur rapidly and may be seen within the first 2 years of the disease, but continue to develop over time (See picture below).

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Rheumatoid Arthritis - It is more serious than you think!

35 related questions found

What should you not do if you have rheumatoid arthritis?

What triggers your RA? Tip it forward and let other with RA know how you avoid those triggers.
  1. Leading a Sedentary Lifestyle. ...
  2. Eating a Pro-Inflammatory Diet. ...
  3. Overdoing Activities. ...
  4. Smoking. ...
  5. Stressing Out. ...
  6. Focusing on Negativity and Pessimism. ...
  7. Becoming Dehydrated. ...
  8. Forgetting to Protect Your Joints.

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How do you know if your rheumatoid arthritis is severe?

The more joints that are painful and swollen, the more severe the disease may be, says Dr. Cush. Joint pain and swelling are characteristic signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatologists consider this a very important way to measure disease severity.

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Does rheumatoid arthritis qualify for disability?

Is Arthritis a Disability? Simply being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis does not qualify you for disability. However, if your ability to work is greatly affected or impaired by your condition, then with the proper documentation, you may be entitled to SSA disability benefits.

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What is the average age of someone with rheumatoid arthritis?

Most people have symptoms of RA between ages 30 and 60, but men are unlikely to be diagnosed under age 45. 2 Across both men and women, the median age of onset is 58. RA can be categorized as young-onset rheumatoid arthritis (YORA) and later-onset rheumatoid arthritis (LORA).

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Can I drive with rheumatoid arthritis?

Never drive tired, when your joints may naturally be more sore. Try to keep your driving to an hour maximum, and plan rest breaks on long journeys to avoid stiffness. Discuss your medication with your doctor and ensure you're safe to drive when taking it.

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How did I get rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition, which means it's caused by the immune system attacking healthy body tissue. However, it's not yet known what triggers this. Your immune system normally makes antibodies that attack bacteria and viruses, helping to fight infection.

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Will rheumatoid arthritis cripple you?

RA leads to joint damage, too. That can cause disability, and some people end up needing serious medical treatments like joint replacement surgery. It can hurt other parts of the body, too, like the eyes, heart, and lungs.

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What aggravates rheumatoid arthritis?

Overexertion, poor sleep, stress or an infection like the flu can all set off RA symptoms. With a predictable flare you'll temporarily feel worse, but your symptoms will resolve in time. Unpredictable flares have more uncertainty associated with them.

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What organs does rheumatoid arthritis affect?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can affect more than just your joints. In some people, the condition can damage a wide variety of body systems, including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart and blood vessels.

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How painful is rheumatoid arthritis?

If you have RA, joint pain can range from mild to moderate or severe. Sometimes it can feel like a sprain or broken bone. Some areas of your body may even be painful to the touch.

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What is life like with rheumatoid arthritis?

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.

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What is the life expectancy of a woman with rheumatoid arthritis?

RA can shorten your life expectancy by an average of 10 years compared to people who don't have the disease. But people with RA are living longer than ever before. Though the disease may still affect life expectancy, it doesn't have as much impact as it did in the past.

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How does RA affect the brain?

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.

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How do you slow down rheumatoid arthritis?

Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) If you've been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, you'll usually be offered a combination of DMARD tablets as part of your initial treatment. These medicines ease the symptoms of the condition and slow down its progression.

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When should you stop working with rheumatoid arthritis?

The simple answer for when to stop working with rheumatoid arthritis is that if you cannot physically perform your job functions because of it. If you believe that your rheumatoid arthritis will make it impossible for you to work for at least a year, then you may want to apply for Social Security disability benefits.

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Is rheumatoid arthritis considered a disability in Australia?

If you suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis, it is covered under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and you may be eligible for their funding to utilise our support services. The eligibility and level of funding will depend on the severity of your functional disability and needs.

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Does rheumatoid arthritis show up on xray?

For decades, X-rays were used to help detect rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and monitor for worsening bone damage. In the early stages of RA, however, X-rays may appear normal although the disease is active, making the films useful as a baseline but not much help in getting a timely diagnosis and treatment.

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How can you prevent rheumatoid arthritis from getting worse?

Take these steps to improve your odds of avoiding long-term trouble.
  1. Get treated early. Much of the damage that eventually becomes serious starts soon after you learn you have RA. ...
  2. See your doctor often. ...
  3. Exercise. ...
  4. Rest when you need to. ...
  5. Use a cane in the hand opposite a painful hip or knee. ...
  6. If you smoke, quit.

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Is rheumatoid arthritis worse than arthritis?

There are more than 100 types of arthritis and related diseases. 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.

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What are the 3 stages of rheumatoid arthritis?

The four stages of rheumatoid arthritis are known as synovitis, pannus, fibrous ankylosis, and bony ankylosis.
  • Stage I: Synovitis. During stage I, you may start having mild symptoms, including joint pain and joint stiffness. ...
  • Stage II: Pannus. ...
  • Stage III: Fibrous Ankylosis. ...
  • Stage IV: Bony Ankylosis.

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