The autoimmune illness known as rheumatoid arthritis may, in some instances, be managed medically. In some cases, the treatment involves taking medication to suppress the immune system or having surgery to remove fluid that surrounds the lungs. In other cases, the treatment involves both of these approaches. If you have rheumatoid arthritis and are experiencing problems breathing for no obvious cause, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible to schedule an appointment.
RA & The Lungs
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by an inflammatory process that manifests itself not only in the joints but also in other organs and systems of the body, including the lungs, skin, eyes, digestive system, heart, and blood vessels.
RA-related lung complications are the most common extra-articular ("outside of the joints") symptoms of RA. They include pulmonary nodules (small growths in the lungs), pleural effusion (a buildup of fluid between the lung and chest wall), bronchiectasis (damage to the airways), and interstitial lung disease (ILD). Other RA-related lung complications include pleural effusion (a fluid buildup between the lung and chest wall), which can (ILD).
In point of fact, it is anticipated that one in ten people who have rheumatoid arthritis will acquire ILD throughout the course of their illness, making it just as lethal for patients with RA as congestive heart failure is for the general population.
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What Is the Condition Known as Interstitial Lung Disease? The term "interstitial lung disease" describes a collection of lung conditions characterized by inflammation and scarring of the lung tissue.
Scarring occurs as a result of an overactive immune system attacking the lungs in patients who have RA-associated interstitial lung disease (ILD). Scarring that forms over time makes it harder for patients to breathe, and in order for them to restore function, they may need lung transplants.
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4 Ways RA Affects The Lungs
Rheumatoid arthritis has been associated with a variety of lung conditions, the most common of which include the following:
Scarring Within The Lungs
The development of scar tissue as a result of chronic inflammation (interstitial lung disease) may result in symptoms such as difficulty breathing, a persistent dry cough, weariness, weakness, and loss of appetite.
Lung Nodules
Rheumatoid nodules are a kind of small mass that may develop in several regions of the body, including the lungs.
In most cases, lung nodules are asymptomatic and do not put a person at increased risk for developing lung cancer. On the other hand, a nodule may burst under certain circumstances, leading to a collapsed lung.
Pleural Disease
Inflammation may occur in the pleura, which is the tissue that surrounds the lungs and has the pronunciation "PLOOR-uh."
Inflammation of the pleura is often accompanied by fluid accumulation in the space between the two layers of the pleura (pleural effusion). There are occasions when the fluid will resolve itself on its own.
Having a big pleural effusion, on the other hand, might make it difficult to breathe. In addition, fever and discomfort with breathing might be symptoms of pleural illness.
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Small Airway Obstruction
Bronchiectasis is a condition in which the walls of the tiny airways of the lungs become thicker as a result of persistent inflammation and infection.
Inflammation or injury may also cause this condition (bronchiolitis). This may result in a buildup of mucus in the lungs, as well as symptoms such as shortness of breath, a persistent dry cough, exhaustion, and a general feeling of weakness.
