When you think of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), stiff, painful joints may come to mind. However, RA can also affect your organs, body systems, and even your emotions. Understanding why this happens and how it manifests can help manage the condition more effectively.
RA is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease, meaning that your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells, causing inflammation in various parts of the body. It primarily targets joints but can affect more than just this area, potentially damaging the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, and blood vessels.
The effects of rheumatoid arthritis on the body include impact on the skeletal system, circulatory system, skin, eyes, mouth, respiratory system, and immune system. The joints are commonly affected, with RA typically developing in the fingers, hands, and feet, often affecting the same joint on both sides of the body, such as both knees.
Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include pain, swelling, stiffness, and tenderness in more than one joint. Morning stiffness or stiffness after sitting for long periods is also common, along with fatigue. Since RA mainly attacks joints in the hands, wrists, and knees, it can significantly affect daily activities and quality of life.
Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms tend to begin slowly with minor symptoms that come and go, usually on both sides of the body, and these symptoms can progress over weeks or months. It’s crucial not to ignore RA symptoms that may be signs of more serious problems, such as broken bones, chest pain, severe dryness, or eye issues.
To understand rheumatoid arthritis more comprehensively, it is beneficial to consult credible sources like Mayo Clinic and Medical News Today, along with patient-focused information from Cleveland Clinic and educational resources provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For those noticing early signs, reading about the signs and symptoms of RA can lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment.
