Arthritis 4 Page

Will My Rheumatoid Arthritis Affect My Eyes?

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...

What Is A Rheumatoid Nodule?

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%...

Is Depression A Problem With Rheumatic Arthritis?

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...

Can Rheumatoid Arthritis Affect My Brain?

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...

Can Rheumatoid Arthritis Affect My Lungs?

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...

What Is A Physical Therapist, And Why Do I Need One?

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,...

Can Gum Disease Cause Rheumatoid Arthritis?

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...

Is Rheumatoid Arthritis Caused By Cigarette Smoking?

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...

Is Rheumatoid Arthritis A Genetic Disease?

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...

Will I Become Disabled And Unable To Work?

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...

Will I Lose The Ability To Walk?

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...

What Is The Course Of Rheumatoid Arthritis?

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...

What Causes Rheumatoid Arthritis?

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...

Is Rheumatoid Arthritis Serious?

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....

What Are The Symptoms Of Rheumatoid Arthritis?

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...

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

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...