Yes, RA can increase your risk of developing osteoporosis and bone fractures. Osteoporosis is a disease of the bones that results in “thinner,” weaker bones that are more prone to fractures. It is a silent...
Most people with RA do not develop eye problems because of their RA, although approximately 25% of patients with RA will complain of some eye symptoms. The majority of these eye complaints is mild and...
I have a bump on my elbow that my doctor says is a rheumatoid nodule. What is a rheumatoid nodule? A rheumatoid nodule is a bump in the skin that is found in approximately 25%...
Depression occurs frequently in the general population and even more frequently in individuals with chronic diseases such as RA. The pain and disability associated with RA has a detrimental effect on the person's lifestyle and...
Some patients with RA may develop dry eyes and a dry mouth, but these are not unusual symptoms linked only with this disease. Indeed, nearly one third of all elderly people—with or without RA—will report...
An exceedingly rare complication of prolonged, untreated RA is an inflammation of the arteries in the brain. People who experience this problem can present with symptoms similar to a stroke, such as weakness or numbness...
RA can affect the lungs and the lining of the lungs, a complication referred to as rheumatoid lung disease. Rheumatoid lung disease occurs in approximately 25% of all patients with RA. Although RA occurs more...
Fatigue is a common feature of RA and occurs in most patients. As individuals with RA know all too well, fatigue is different from drowsiness. Fatigue is a feeling of weariness, tiredness, or lack of...
My doctor has suggested that I see a vocational counselor. Why would I need to have a vocational counselor for my rheumatoid arthritis? RA is a serious, progressive, and sometimes debilitating disease. By the time...
People with RA may suffer significant physical, personal, familial, social, and vocational consequences from this disease. The limitations caused by RA, for example, may make performing even routine tasks more difficult. The occupational therapist's goal...
My doctor suggested that I see a physical therapist. What is a physical therapist, and why do I need one? Physical therapy is the treatment of injuries or disorders using physical methods, such as exercise,...
Most people with RA are treated by either a medical internist or a rheumatologist. Which one a patient chooses as his or her treating physician depends on many factors: The physician's training and experience in...
It may be helpful to understand what it means to be an internist and a rheumatologist before you choose a physician to help you with your RA. An internist is a person who has completed...
Most people with RA are treated by either an internist or a rheumatologist. Who you choose to be your treating physician depends on many factors: Most people with RA are treated by either an internist...
In the early part of the twentieth century, many people believed that RA was caused by dental infections. Infections of the teeth and gums were thought to spread to the joints, causing inflammation and other...
The results of several large studies conducted in the past two decades support the association between cigarette smoking and the development of RA. In one study, researchers in Finland studied 512 patients with RA. They...
Rheumatoid arthritis is affected by genes, but this disease is not controlled by a single gene. As a result, RA generally does not run in families. Instead, scientists believe that RA develops as a result...
It is impossible to predict the course of RA for a particular person, so it is equally difficult to tell if someone with RA will become disabled. However, the pattern of disease can influence the...
Untreated RA can cause severe damage to the hips, knees, and feet. However, with current treatments, RA shouldn't progress to the point that you cannot walk. You and your doctor can work together to limit...
Rheumatoid arthritis may begin at any age, but the most common age range during which onset begins is the twenties to fifties. Morning stiffness is a hallmark symptom of RA. People with RA often report...
Despite years of research and study, the precise cause of RA is not known. Physicians have determined that the pain, stiffness, and inflammation associated with this disease result from a disorder in the body's immune...
Yes, RA is a serious disease. While some people suffer only mild discomfort and minimal disability, medical studies have demonstrated that one third of patients are unable to work five years after they are diagnosed....
More than 200 types of arthritis have been identified. One way that physicians distinguish one type of arthritis from another is by its characteristic location, physical findings, laboratory tests, and x-rays. Early on in the...
The ancient Greeks were aware that joint and muscle aches were sometimes associated with colds. The word rheuma in Greek means “flow” or “discharge,” where this “flow” refers to the watery discharge from the eyes...