When most people think of arthritis, they tend to think about stiffness and problems with the joints. While pain and stiffness are two common symptoms of arthritis, it affects the body in many other ways. Understanding the different effects rheumatoid arthritis can have on your entire body—and knowing the early signs of arthritis—can make it easier to get treatment faster.
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Arthritis is an inflammatory condition of the joints, which usually ends up causing a lot of pain and stiffness.
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Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition as well as a systemic condition. That means while it affects the joints of the body, it also can affect other areas. In some cases, it can even cause serious organ damage.
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People with this condition who don’t receive comprehensive rheumatoid arthritis treatment may be at risk for a decreased quality of life or even a shortened lifespan.
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Rheumatoid arthritis can cause problems with your eyes and commonly causes dry eye syndrome. This happens when the thin layer of tissue covering the white area of the eye becomes inflamed. It causes irritation, redness, and pain.
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Scleritis is another eye condition often associated with arthritis. It’s much more serious than dry eye syndrome as it directly affects the white part of the eye. If it isn’t treated properly, it can lead to vision loss.
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Arthritis can also cause issues with your oral health. People with rheumatoid arthritis are more susceptible to gum infections that can lead to periodontal disease.
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The condition causes dry mouth, which makes it easier for the gums to become infected.
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If periodontal disease isn’t treated, the bacteria from the disease can actually cause other arthritis symptoms to become worse and progress faster.
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Nearly 25% of people with rheumatoid arthritis experience skin issues like nodules.1 These are areas of inflamed tissue that look like “knots” around the joints.
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Rashes and ulcers on the arms and legs are also fairly common in people whose arthritis has gone untreated for too long. The good news is that these skin conditions aren’t usually painful, but they can be quite unsightly.
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Rheumatoid arthritis does more than just cause inflammation around your joints. It can cause inflammation in other areas of the body, including your lungs. Another more serious complication of arthritis is interstitial lung disease (ILD).
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This disease causes inflammation in the tissue of the lungs, and can even cause scarring.
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When the lungs are scarred, it’s harder for oxygen from the lungs to travel throughout the bloodstream, so organs may not be getting what they need.
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It's important to know common symptoms and warning signs because so many other problems can arise.
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Some of the early symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include: ○ Weakness ○ Difficulty sleeping ○ Chest pain ○ Loss of appetite ○ Dry mouth or eyes
Arthritis affects many additional areas of the body, including the heart, hands and feet, kidneys, and even the circulatory system. Unfortunately, there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis. By working with your Primary Care Physician and/or a Rheumatologist, you can find joint pain relief and manage other symptoms. Some treatment options include medications and physiotherapy. Steroids are also sometimes given to reduce pain and slow down possible joint damage.
The skilled Rheumatologists at Crystal Run Healthcare are dedicated to making sure arthritis patients receive the best care possible by using the latest in advanced technology and treatment research. At Crystal Run Healthcare, we focus on much more than inflammation of the joints to look at the big picture of how arthritis can affect your whole body. If you’re struggling from the symptoms and side effects of rheumatoid arthritis, you can easily book an appointment with many Crystal Run Healthcare physicians through the website or contact us if you need additional assistance. Our multi-disciplinary team approach to rheumatoid arthritis treatment will provide you with several forms of care that can offer relief and comfort, and can even help to prolong your life.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2654946/