If you have rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you're probably used to experiencing pain, swelling and stiffness in your joints. However, because rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease, it can also affect your whole body and even lead to the damage of some of your major organs as well as a shorter life span.
So which parts of the body can RA affect? Keep reading to find out.
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1. Eyes
Due to inflammation, people with rheumatoid arthritis are prone to experience dry eye syndrome or episcleritis, a redness in the white part of the eye.
If you experience this, over-the-counter or prescription drops can offer you some relief.
RA also puts you at risk of developing a more serious eye condition called scleritis, which if left untreated, can lead to vision loss.
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Whatsmore, about 15 percent of people with RA develop another autoimmune disease, Sjögren’s syndrome (SS). This disease affects tear glands (as well as salivary glands), causing very dry eyes and other symptoms.
Because people with RA are at a higher risk for eye diseases, it is wise to get regular eye exams. Early detection is critical, so if you haven't booked your appointment, now's the time to do so.
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2. Mouth
According to research, people who have rheumatoid arthritis may be more likely to develop periodontal disease.
Having RA also puts you at a higher risk of developing dry mouth, which can lead to tooth decay.
If you haven't had your yearly dental appointment, it's time to book it. Poor oral health can worsen your arthritis symptoms, however, your dentist can catch minor issues before they become a major problem.
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3. Hands and feet
This one probably doesn't come as much of a shock, however, RA can do more than cause pain. RA can also cause other distortions and deformities if it is not treated as early as possible with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). These deformities include locking joints, ulnar drift (weakening of tendons and ligaments that cause fingers to curve toward the pinkie), swan neck deformities (distortions of the joints causing unusual bending and straightening), and even ruptured tendons. All of these can make it difficult to write, hold objects, and unscrew lids.
Effects of RA on your feet may include hammertoes (abnormal bending of the toes), bunion (a bony nodule on the outside edge of the big toe), pes planus (loosening of the arch joint in the middle of the foot), and valgus hind foot (loosening of the joint below the ankle, causing the foot to bend forward).
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Your rheumatologist and podiatrist can help you learn ways of moving that are less painful and that strengthen your muscles.
4. Skin
Skin rash and ulcers are common among people living with rheumatoid arthritis, especially if the disease has gone untreated.
In fact, up to 30 percent of people with RA develop rheumatoid nodules — knots of inflammatory tissue just under the skin near a joint, according to research published in the journal Autoimmunity Reviews. These typically appear on the elbows, hands, and feet. These can be treated with a steroid injection. DMARD medications can also resolve your skin problems.
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5. Heart
Higher levels of inflammation that are caused by RA can increase your risk of heart disease, especially heart attacks and strokes.
The good news is that with a few lifestyle changes, you can lower your risk of developing heart disease. You can start by getting your RA under control and reducing your heart risk factors, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. You can successfully do this through a healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, not smoking, not drinking, etc.
6. Lungs
Interstitial lung disease (ILD), is a condition that causes inflammation and scarring of the lung tissue. Although hard to detect, this illness occurs when lung tissue becomes inflamed and eventually scarred. This condition can cause breathlessness and coughing but can also be asymptomatic. When untreated, it may progress to pulmonary fibrosis (permanently scarred tissues).
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD (also known as emphysema or chronic bronchitis), pleurisy and nodules on your lungs can also develop as a result of RA.
The best way to combat this is to be proactive about your RA treatment and minimize your risk for lung problems. Additionally, if you smoke, you should quit.
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7. Circulatory system
If you've noticed that RA has caused you to feel more fatigued lately, you are not alone. Rheumatoid arthritis can cause anemia and depression, both of which can cause you to feel fatigued.
Because RA may interfere with your body’s ability to use iron, using iron supplementation can help with the anemia. However, the best solution is to keep inflammation under control with DMARD medication.
8. Kidneys
Suppose you are in the later stages of RA and not in control of your medication. In that case, you are at risk of developing amyloidosis (a condition caused by the abnormal buildup of certain proteins that can impair kidney function).
You can maintain healthy kidneys by not overusing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen and naproxen, which can damage your kidneys.
9. Brain
Understandably, the fear of living with a chronic condition can take a toll on your emotional wellness and lead to depression. If you are feeling depressed, help is available in the form of therapy and medication.
10. Bones
RA can increase your risk of osteoporosis, a disease in which bones become less dense and more fragile. This increases the likelihood that your bones will break.
The best way to protect your bones is through lifestyle changes. Not sure where to start? Try eating calcium-rich and vitamin D–rich foods like eggs and fish, as well as D-fortified foods. Exercise is also good for your bones. Try weight-bearing exercises such as walking and stair-stepping, with your doctor's approval of course. Lastly, if you smoke, quit.
You can also get a bone mineral density test, which will help your doctor determine whether you need medication.
Although rheumatoid arthritis can affect your body in several ways, most of these conditions can be prevented by keeping your RA under control and keeping up with your yearly physicals and exams.
