What Are The Symptoms Of Rheumatoid Arthritis
The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include the following:
- Stiffness, especially in the morning or after sitting for long periods
- Fatigue
Rheumatoid arthritis affects each person differently. In most people, joint symptoms may develop gradually over several years. In other people, rheumatoid arthritis may proceed rapidly. A few people may have rheumatoid arthritis for a limited period of time and then go into remission .
Cartilage normally acts as a shock absorber between the joints. Uncontrolled inflammation causes the destruction and wearing down of the cartilage, which leads to joint deformities. Eventually, the bone itself erodes, potentially leading to fusion of the joint . This process is aided by specific cells and substances of the immune system, which are produced in the joints but also circulate and cause symptoms throughout the body.
What Are The Complications Of Ra
Rheumatoid arthritis 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. To prevent people with RA from developing heart disease, treatment of RA also focuses on reducing heart disease risk factors. For example, doctors will advise patients with RA to stop smoking and lose weight.
- Obesity. People with RA who are obese have an increased risk of developing heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Being obese also increases risk of developing chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. Finally, people with RA who are obese experience fewer benefits from their medical treatment compared with those with RA who are not obese.
- Employment. RA can make work difficult. Adults with RA are less likely to be employed than those who do not have RA. As the disease gets worse, many people with RA find they cannot do as much as they used to. Work loss among people with RA is highest among people whose jobs are physically demanding. Work loss is lower among those in jobs with few physical demands, or in jobs where they have influence over the job pace and activities.
When To Get Medical Advice
See a GP if you think you have symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, so they can try to identify the underlying cause.
Diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis quickly is important, because early treatment can prevent it getting worse and reduce the risk of joint damage.
Find out more about diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis.
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Learn More About Raynaud’s Disease
If you have Raynaud’s or you just want to read more about it, the two sources I used for this article, from The Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins, have even more detailed information on their websites . There are other great sources online too, of course.
Most of the time, I forget that I even have Raynaud’s disease, except when it decides to randomly attack my fingers and toes. And now that it’s been happening again lately, I wonder: Who else with RA has this condition? I’m curious to know! What’s yours like? Mild, moderate, severe? Do you get what I mean when I mention the “ghostly toes” and the strange, numb feeling?
If you are struggling with this irritating cold-weather condition, hang in there, because I’m dealing with it too. You’re not alone. And make sure that you stock up on plenty of gloves and warm socks this winter!
Factors That Determine Rheumatoid Arthritis Prognosis
As previously stated, many factors can influence disease progression and prognosis. Some of these factors include:
- Positive or negative blood tests for markers of the disease such as rheumatoid factor or anti-CCP.
- Patients age at diagnosis
- How early treatment was initiated after the appearance of symptoms
- Patients lifestyle including diet, exercise, and smoking habits
- The presence or absence of complications during the course of the disease
- Patients personalized treatment plan
- Patients response to treatment
- How active the condition has been including the frequency of flare-ups and remission periods
As a rule of thumb, patients who areseropositive, meaning theyve tested positive forrheumatoid factorand/oranti-CCP, may experience more severe and aggressive symptoms. Adult patients who are diagnosed at a younger age may also experience a more serious disease course as well. This does not include patients withjuvenile rheumatoid arthritis, who can have a differentprognosis altogether.
Meanwhile, patients with healthy lifestyles like abstaining from smoking can also manage their symptoms better. It is thought that there is a direct link between smoking and rheumatoid arthritis symptoms in patients.
Over time, rheumatoid arthritis symptoms can affect bone health and cause erosions and even deformity of the joints. They can also impact the health of other organs such as the lungs and heart which could be fatal.
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Can You Have Both Ra And Oa
Yes, its possible to have both RA and OA.
While OA usually develops after years of wear and tear on cartilage, people with RA may have it earlier in life due to causes such as sports injuries that result in damage to the cartilage, joints, or ligaments.
People with RA may also develop OA as they get older.
People older than 65 who may have OA can also develop a condition called . Unlike RA, EORA more frequently affects large joints.
What Is The Role Of Diet In Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment
Patients can also control their own gut microbiome by altering their diets. Because there is not enough hard data and because different individuals react differently to a given food, the American College of Rheumatology doesnt promote any diet, Dr. Chi said, other than a heart healthy diet, due to the damage rheumatoid arthritis can wreak on the bodys cardiovascular system. In general, Omega 3 fatty acids that are found in fatty fish like salmon are thought to have anti-inflammatory effects, and there is plenty of anecdotal evidence for turmeric, vegan diets, and eliminating fast food, processed food, dairy or gluten.
Dr. Chi stated that while she doesnt recommend any diet, she doesnt deter her patients from experimenting with diets and supplements as long as patients get the nutrients they need. I dont discourage patients from trying different kinds of diets. And people ask me about supplements all the time. As long as its from a reputable source and not potentially tainted with something, its fine to try, she said. However, it should be noted that supplements are not regulated by the FDA or any other governing body, so safety cannot be guaranteed.
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Does Rheumatoid Arthritis Contribute To Dry Eyes
Q) I’ve suffered from dry eyes for a long time. I suffer from rheumatoid arthritis and had a hip replacement in 2000. I’ve tried all the remedies the NHS has to offer and have been on sulfasalazine and methotrexate for three years. Does rheumatoid arthritis contribute to dry eyes? Can you suggest a cure or anything to relieve the symptoms?
Gordon, Shetland – 2010
A) Dry eyes are a recognised feature of rheumatoid arthritis. The rheumatoid process can cause damage to the cells that produce the moisture for the eyes and mouth. This is called Sjögrens syndrome . At its most severe, this condition can lead to damage of the surface of the eye and visual impairment, so it’s important to seek help. Mostly, lubricant eye drops are used, but sometimes surgical solutions are necessary. These include putting a plug in the duct that drains the tears away. Lubricants can also be used for the mouth and a tablet called pilocarpine may help both eyes and mouth.
This answer was provided by Dr Philip Helliwell in 2010, and was correct at the time of publication.
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis : Does Jra Ever Go Away
Children can develop many of the same types of arthritis that adults do. Around 300,000 minors have been diagnosed with an arthritic disease. However, unlike adults with similar diagnoses, children with appropropriate treatment can live long and active lives. Like adult rheumatoid arthritis , Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis is caused by the bodys immune system attacking its own healthy tissue. Researchers believe that children, just like adults, have the same genetic tendencies that can be triggered to develop arthritic diseases. Research has not provided any conclusive solution to preventing arthritic diseases in children because the cause of the initiation of immune malfunction is still widely unknown.
In the United States, JRA is the most common term to encompass all of the types of arthritic diseases that children can be diagnosed with, but there are several other terms that exist. Juvenile chronic arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis are terms that are interchangeable with JRA.
The symptoms of JRA are similar to those of adult RA:
- Persistent joint pain
- Rashes that appear with fevers
- Stiffness
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Can Arthritis Turn To Rheumatoid Arthritis
No. There are many different forms of Arthritis. . Most of which get their name as a result of their effect on joints. However rheumatoid arthritis RA is a form of arthritis which is an autoimmune disease and a disease in its own right. It must be noted however that the cause for Rheumatoid arthritis is as yet not known and that flareups in the disease can often coincide with infection or injury in seemingly unassociated situations.
Ra Medicines And Manipulating The Gut Microbiome
One reason that a medicine may work for one patient and not another may have to do with what bacteria make up each individuals gut microbiome, according to researchers at New York Universitys Microbiome Center for Rheumatology and Autoimmunity. For example, certain bacteria help patients with RA to convert dietary fibers into short-chain fatty acids that team with regulatory T-cells to suppress the inflammatory response. However, other bacteria hinder drug absorption. For example, a recent study found that certain bacteria metabolize methotrexate so quickly that the body cant absorb the drug for itself. Figuring out the commonalities of the gut microbiomes of drug non-responders as well as analyzing the intestinal dysbiosis of patients experiencing flares helps researchers figure out how they can manipulate the microbiome as a treatment.
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Can You Have Both Palindromic Arthritis And Rheumatoid Arthritis
Q) I was very interested in the article about palindromic rheumatism and felt that after 25 years of pain, disability and frustration I was finally reading something which explained my symptoms.
I had two years of flare-ups in my joints before getting a positive rheumatoid arthritis blood test. Over the years I’ve had longer term swelling in joints which have led to damage. However, the pain and pattern is totally different to the original flare-ups.
Over the years I’ve continued to suffer the flare-ups regularly while blood tests show the rheumatoid arthritis to be largely under control with methotrexate. I spoke to my nurse about a diagnosis of palindromic rheumatism, but she told me that you can’t have both.
I understand that the treatments are the same, but I’ve become frustrated with the rheumatologist describing these flare-ups as if they’re nothing more than moans about normal everyday pains suffered by the general population. Can you have both? Does palindromic rheumatism continue alongside rheumatoid arthritis or morph into it?
Susan, via email – 2015
A) Really interesting question, thank you. Palindromic rheumatism is a challenging condition to live with and to diagnose. But from what you describe in your email it does sound as though you currently have rheumatoid arthritis with flare-ups, rather than palindromic rheumatism.
One of the big differences between the two conditions is that you don’t usually see joint damage in palindromic rheumatism.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Of The Cervical Spine
When you wake up to stiff joints compliments of rheumatoid arthritis , one becomes gallingly aware of each place the body bendsknuckle, knee, wrist and anklebut when the stiffness affects the atlantoaxial and atlanto-occipital joints in your upper neck, the cervical spine, the disease can turn dangerous. These joints, which pivot your head to look up, down, right and left, share neck space with the spinal cord and lie just below the brain stem. It is important to seek quick treatment to prevent swelling in this area and damage to these joints.
Rheumatoid arthritis can affect the neck joints causing stiffness and pain when moving your head up, down and/or side to side. Photo Source: 123RF.com. Understanding your rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis and treatment options can help you comprehend your doctors game plans. Gaining knowledge about what can be done to manage the disease can also dissolve feelings of depression or isolation.
Patients who fare best make peace with the fact that RA is a lifelong condition that will alternately flare up and go into remission, says Wendy Chi, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Rheumatology at Mount Sinai in New York City.
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Imaging Tests Used In Prognosis
Severalimaging tests like X-rays, MRIs, and ultrasound, can help doctors detect the degree of inflammation and joint deterioration in patients. While these dont conclusively give a prognosis, they assist in monitoring symptoms and adjusting treatments along the way to ensure the best possible outcome.
What Is Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Arthritis doesn’t affect young people as much as it does adults, but lots of teens still get it. Arthritis is an of the synovial membrane, which lines the joints . When it becomes inflamed, fluid is produced. The joints can become stiff, swollen, painful, and warm to the touch. Over time, inflammation in a joint can damage the cartilage and bone.
“Idiopathic” is a medical word that doctors use to describe a disease that has no known cause. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is the most common kind of arthritis among kids and teens. Kids usually find out they have this disease between the ages of 6 months and 16 years.
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Hand Pain And Rheumatoid Arthritis
Inflammation, swelling, and stiffness in the knuckles and wrists can be the first signs of RA.
This article reviews how RA affects hand function, the joints most typically affected, and how RA inflammation develops in the joint tissues of the hands, potentially causing conditions such as tenosynovitis and carpal tunnel syndrome. The hallmark signs and symptoms of hand RA, potential hand deformities, and treatment options are also discussed.
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Know Your Risk Factors
Despite extensive research, scientists have yet to fully understand who will get PsA and who wont. There is a genetic component to the disease: About 40% of people with PsA have at least one relative with either PsO or PsA.
In addition, certain factors make the progression of PsO to PsA more likely. We know that people with scalp, intergluteal, and nail psoriasis have a higher chance of developing psoriatic arthritis, says Dr. Orbai. For example, people with scalp psoriasiswhich commonly affects the back of the head, the front of the hairline, and behind the earshave up to four times higher risk of psoriatic arthritis than people with other forms of the disease.
And while only 40% of people with psoriasis have the nail form of the disease , the condition appears in 80% of people with the PsA, making nail psoriasis one of the leading risk factors for psoriatic arthritis.
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Neck Joints Are Not Spared Ra Joint Pain And Damage
- The Neck Someone with RA can also experience inflammation and pain in the neck. This can cause stiffness, weakness, and loss of motion. If not treated, severe inflammation in the neck can lead to instability of the cervical spine.
- The Throat Although rare, the cricoarytenoid joint near the windpipe may also swell from the disease, affecting breathing.
Other Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment Options
Patients can also relieve joint stiffness with like swimming, walking or cycling, Dr. Chi said. I generally prefer low impact, Dr. Chi stated. The more force you apply to the joints, the more damage you could do to the cartilage.
Spinal surgery may be a treatment as well. The most important indications for when rheumatoid arthritis is involved are resistant pain, neurologic deficits and/or a need to stabilize the upper cervical spine to prevent spinal cord damage.
References1. Freeman J. RA Facts: What are the Latest Statistics on Rheumatoid Arthritis? Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Network. October 27, 2018. https://www.rheumatoidarthritis.org/ra/facts-and-statistics/. Accessed June 27, 2019.
2. Duarie-Garcia A. Rheumatoid Arthritis. How is rheumatoid arthritis treated? Updated March 2019. https://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Diseases-Conditions/Rheumatoid-Arthritis. Accessed June 25, 2019.
Scher JU, Malik F, Manasson J. Using the Microbiome to Aid Psoriatic & Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnostics & Therapeutics. Rheumatology 2018 Year in Review. https://nyulangone.org/news/using-microbiome-aid-psoriatic-rheumatoid-arthritis-diagnostics-therapeutics. Accessed June 27, 2019.
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What Can I Take Other Than Leflunomide For Rheumatoid Arthritis
Q) As a patient with rheumatoid arthritis I found leflunomide very effective but unfortunately I do have history of bronchiesctasis. It had been stable for more than 40 years but leflunomide has changed that. The lung infections are under control again but I can l no longer use that drug. Which leaves a problem: what do I take?
Mr S W, Kempston, Bedford, Beds – 2013
A) You ask an impossible question. What you take next for your rheumatoid arthritis depends very much on what you have already taken, the state of your arthritis and the other medical problems you have, such as bronchiectasis. Unfortunately, bronchiectasis is more common in people with rheumatoid arthritis. Bronchiectasis is a condition where the lungs are damaged. In the past measles was a common cause of this condition. It leads to repeated lung infections and progressive breathlessness. Treatment with immunosuppressive drugs can make the infections more frequent, and with bronchiectasis, finding the right treatment can be a challenge. I have used rituximab without causing the lungs to deteriorate but this does not mean it will be the right drug for you. Everyone is different.
This answer was provided by Dr Philip Helliwell in 2013, and was correct at the time of publication.