Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) causes your body to mistakenly attack healthy joints and leads to widespread inflammation.
RA is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease. It causes the body to attack healthy joints and can lead to widespread inflammation. It can be very painful and uncomfortable.
While RA is well known for causing joint pain and inflammation, it can also cause other symptoms throughout the body. Read on to learn more about the possible symptoms of RA and its overall effect on the body.
RA is a progressive autoimmune disease that mainly affects your joints. According to a 2021 study,
Anyone can get RA, but it generally begins between 30 and 50 years old. It also tends to affect women nearly three times more often than men, according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR).
The exact cause of RA is unknown. Factors that may play a role include:
- genetics
- hormonal changes
- infections
- environmental factors, such as exposure to air pollution
- lifestyle choices, such as smoking
One of the first symptoms of RA is inflammation of the smaller joints in the hands and feet. Most of the time, symptoms affect both sides of the body at once.
Common symptoms include:
- pain
- swelling
- tenderness
- stiffness that is more pronounced in the morning
Morning RA pain can last for 30 minutes or more but will likely improve with a warm shower.
RA can also cause tingling or burning sensations in the joints. Symptoms may eventually come and go in flare-ups followed by a period of remission. The initial stage of symptoms can last at least 6 weeks.
The pain and discomfort can make it difficult to sleep, resulting in extreme fatigue and a lack of energy. RA inflammation can also cause fatigue.
Symptoms of RA
RA symptoms can occur in most of the body’s joints, including the:
- fingers
- wrists
- shoulders
- elbows
- hips
- knees
- ankles
- toes
RA can also result in:
As the disease progresses, it damages and destroys cartilage and bone. Eventually, it weakens the supporting tendons, ligaments, and muscles. This can lead to a limited range of motion or difficulty moving the joints properly. In the long term, joints can become misshapen. Pain may be worse when you wear closed-toe shoes.
Having RA also increases your risk of osteoporosis, a weakening of the bones. This in turn can increase your risk of bone fractures and breaks.
Chronic inflammation of the wrists can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, making it difficult to use your wrists and hands.
Weakened or damaged bones in the neck or cervical spine can cause chronic pain. RA in the cervical spine also increases your risk of spinal cord compression. This may result in pain and weakness in the arms or legs.
Your doctor may order X-rays to investigate the extent of your joint and bone damage from RA.
RA can affect the system responsible for making and transporting blood throughout your body.
A simple blood test can reveal the presence of antibodies called cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) and rheumatoid factor (RF). Not all people with these antibodies develop RA, but they’re two of the many clues healthcare professionals use to diagnose the condition. CCP antibodies usually appear before RF and are more specific to RA.
RA increases your risk of anemia. This is because the condition itself or RA medications can cause the decreased production of red blood cells. You may also have a higher risk of blocked or hardened arteries.
In rare cases, RA can lead to:
- pericarditis (inflammation of the sac around the heart)
- myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle)
- congestive heart failure
Rheumatoid vasculitis, or inflammation of the blood vessels, is another rare but serious complication of RA.
Inflamed blood vessels weaken and either expand or narrow, interfering with blood flow. This can lead to problems with the peripheral nerves, heart, and skin. Early diagnosis is important so that you can begin treatment and reduce permanent tissue damage.
Rheumatoid nodules are hard lumps that appear under the skin, usually near joints. Inflammation causes them. They can be bothersome but aren’t usually painful.
Nodules tend to develop at pressure points, such as at the elbows or the areas where your shoes rub against your heels.
In some cases, RA or RA medications can cause rashes. For example, rheumatoid vasculitis is associated with a telltale rash. Hives can also occur in RA.
The ACR states individuals with Sjögren disease can also have RA or a different autoimmune disease called lupus. “Associated Sjögren disease” is the term previously used for cases when a person with a preexisting autoimmune disease was also diagnosed with Sjögren disease.
Sjögren disease causes severe dryness, especially of the eyes. You may notice a burning or gritty feeling. Prolonged dry eyes increase your risk of eye infection or corneal damage. In rare instances, RA can also cause inflammation of the eye, such as uveitis, which affects the eye’s middle layer.
Sjögren disease can also cause a dry mouth and throat, making it difficult to eat or swallow, especially dry foods.
Chronic dry mouth can lead to:
- tooth decay, such as cavities
- gingivitis and other gum diseases
- oral infections
People with Sjögren disease may also experience:
- swollen glands in the face and neck
- dry nasal passages
- dry skin
- vaginal dryness
RA increases the risk of inflammation or scarring of the linings of the lungs (pleurisy) and damage to the lung tissue, called interstitial lung disease.
Other respiratory issues include:
- bronchiolitis obliterans (popcorn lung)
- pleural effusion (fluid in the chest)
- pulmonary arterial hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs)
- pulmonary fibrosis (scarring of the lungs)
- rheumatoid nodules on the lungs
Not everyone will have respiratory symptoms. Those who do may experience shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and chest pains.
Your immune system acts as an army, protecting you from harmful substances like viruses, bacteria, and toxins. It does this by producing antibodies to attack these invaders.
Occasionally, the immune system mistakenly identifies a healthy part of the body as a foreign invader. When that happens, antibodies attack healthy tissues.
In RA, your immune system attacks your joints. The result is intermittent or chronic inflammation throughout the body.
Autoimmune diseases are chronic, and treatment focuses on slowing progression and easing symptoms.
Did you know?In some cases, RA flare-ups can cause flu-like symptoms such as:
- short-term fever
- sweating
- lack of appetite
Early diagnosis and treatment may help slow the progression of RA. Disease-modifying medications, medications to relieve your symptoms, and lifestyle strategies can help you manage its effects and improve your overall quality of life.
Keep your healthcare professional informed of any changes in your RA symptoms. They can advise you on adjusting your treatment plan as necessary.