10 Ways Rheumatoid Arthritis Affects the Body Although often mistaken for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that affects approximately 1.3 million Americans. by Tammy Worth Although often mistaken for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis(RA) is an autoimmune disease that affects approximately 1.3 million Americans. Along with joint pain and swelling, about four out of 10 people with RA have related problems in other body parts, says Eric Matteson, MD, a consultant rheumatologist at the Mayo Clinic, in Rochester, Minn. RA can decrease life expectancy, but “with modern therapies, we are seeing less rheumatoid disease outside of the joints, and patients are living longer,” he says. Following are ways in which RA affects the body and what you can do about it. Joints What happens: Rheumatoid arthritis often starts in the small joints of the hands and feet but can progress to other parts of the body. Pain is often worse in the morning and is sometimes symmetrical (you have it in both hands, for example). Heart What happens: People with RA have twice the risk of having a heart problem as those without it, according to Dr. Matteson. The condition creates a chronic, low-grade inflammation that damages blood vessels and increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, heart disease, and heart failure, he says. RA can also cause the pericardium, the sac-like structure around the heart, to become inflamed. This complication can produce sharp chest pain and fever, and if left untreated, can lead to thickening and scarring of the pericardium. Lungs What happens: Up to 10% of RA patients develop serious lung problems. The most common conditions are inflammation in the lungs' lining (pleurisy), which causes pain when breathing; scarring of the tissue in the lungs (pulmonary fibrosis); and an increased chance of emphysema, even in nonsmokers. What helps: The best treatments are those that reduce the underlying inflammation. Mood What happens: People with chronic diseases, including RA, are more likely to experience depression or other mood disorders—it's a common and understandable occurrence, Dr. Matteson says. Chronic inflammation is also associated with abnormalities of neurotransmitters and hormones that can affect how a person feels, he adds.
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10 Ways Rheumatoid Arthritis Affects the Body Although often mistaken for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that affects approximately 1.3 million Americans.
by Tammy Worth
Although often mistaken for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis(RA) is an autoimmune disease that
affects approximately 1.3 million Americans.
Along with joint pain and swelling, about four out of 10 people with RA have related problems in
other body parts, says Eric Matteson, MD, a consultant rheumatologist at the Mayo Clinic, in
Rochester, Minn.
RA can decrease life expectancy, but “with modern therapies, we are seeing less rheumatoid disease
outside of the joints, and patients are living longer,” he says.
Following are ways in which RA affects the body and what you can do about it.
Joints
What happens: Rheumatoid arthritis often starts in the small joints of the hands and feet but can
progress to other parts of the body. Pain is often worse in the morning and is sometimes
symmetrical (you have it in both hands, for example).
Heart
What happens: People with RA have twice the risk of having a heart problem as those without it, according to Dr. Matteson.
The condition creates a chronic, low-grade inflammation that damages blood vessels and increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, heart disease, and heart failure, he says.
RA can also cause the pericardium, the sac-like structure around the heart, to become inflamed. This complication can produce sharp chest pain and fever, and if left untreated, can lead to thickening and scarring of the pericardium.
Lungs
What happens: Up to 10% of RA patients develop serious lung problems. The most common conditions are inflammation in the lungs' lining (pleurisy), which causes pain when breathing; scarring of the tissue in the lungs (pulmonary fibrosis); and an increased chance
of emphysema, even in nonsmokers.
What helps: The best treatments are those that reduce the underlying inflammation.
Mood
What happens: People with chronic diseases, including RA, are more likely to experience depression or other mood disorders—it's a common and understandable occurrence, Dr. Matteson says.
Chronic inflammation is also associated with abnormalities of neurotransmitters and hormones that can affect how a person feels, he adds.
What helps: If people are depressed or have significant mood changes, antidepressants herbs can be used to treat the symptoms.
Blood vessels
What happens: Vasculitis occurs when blood vessels become inflamed narrowed and blood flow is reduced. Dr. Matteson says this can block blood flow in areas like the arms, legs, and nerves. Vasculitis can sometimes lead to coronary artery disease, he adds.
What helps: If blood vessels narrow significantly, patients may need to take in parsley, a cup a day will revitalise the veins and arteries
Nerves
What happens: Some RA patients get peripheral neuropathy, or nerve damage, that causes a burning and numbness in the feet and hands. Also, when blood vessels become inflamed, the nerves don't have an adequate blood supply, which can result in further nerve damage.
What helps: The best approach is to reduce the underlying inflammation.
Eyes
What happens: Inflammation can also occur in various parts of the eye—a "devastating complication that can cause blindness," Dr. Matteson says. Problems occur in the eye's iris (uveitis), the white of the eye (scleritis), and the membrane covering the white part (episcleritis). Symptoms include blurred vision, pain, redness, and light sensitivity. Inflammation can also increase the risk of glaucoma and cataracts.
What helps: marijuana is recognised as an excellent treatment for glaucoma.
Skin
What happens: If there is inflammation in the blood vessels going to the skin, it can create rashes, skin ulcers, and nodules or skin bumps, especially on the hands, feet, and elbows. Matteson says the bumps may come and go, and physicians don't know what causes them.
What helps: balms and lotions of herbal base..
Wrists
What happens: Inflammation in the joints pushes on the nerve that runs from the forearm to the wrist and causes carpal tunnel syndrome. People with carpal tunnel usually feel numbness, tingling, weakness, and eventually sharp pain in the arm.
What helps: Treating the underlying inflammation, resting or immobilizing the sore wrist with a splint, and applying cool packs.
Spleen
What happens: Some people with RA get Felty's syndrome, a condition in which the spleen becomes enlarged and the white blood cell count drops, making them more susceptible to infections. But because RA can be controlled relatively well, Dr. Matteson says this complication is unusual, affecting less than 1% of RA patients.
What helps: Treatment of the underlying RA condition, boost immune sysem, there are many herbs (garlic and ginger) that will help.
AND THEN……
Connect
Having a chronic illness can be isolating.
But being open with your family and friends about your condition so you feel comfortable asking for
help when you need it—or just having a shoulder to cry on—can make a big difference in how you
feel, both physically and mentally.
There are also online and real-life support groups where you can meet other people with RA and
share coping strategies.
Rest
One of the most important things for you to do if you have rheumatoid arthritis is not to overdo it.
When you need a rest, take it. Pushing yourself too hard can only make fatigue worse.