Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis, or “RA,” is a disease that causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints.
RA is one of many different types of arthritis. It is an autoimmune disorder. “Autoimmune” means a person’s infection-fighting system, called the immune system, “attacks” their body. In RA, the immune system attacks the joints. It can also attack other parts of the body, such as the heart, lungs, or eyes.
Symptoms of RA
The main symptom is joint pain and swelling. Other types of arthritis can cause similar symptoms. But there are some things that are unique to RA. For example:
- People with RA have joint stiffness for the first few hours of the day. This usually gets better in the afternoon. Other types of arthritis tend to make people feel stiff all day. They can also make people stiffer toward the end of the day.
- RA usually starts by affecting the small joints in the fingers, the balls of the feet, and the wrists. It usually affects both the left and the right side at the same time.
Some people with RA have other symptoms, too. These might include:
- Muscles ache
- Feeling very tired
- Feeling depressed
- Losing weight without trying
These symptoms can also be caused by other conditions besides RA.
Which Types of Activity Are Best for RA?
- An occupational therapist – They can help you figure out how to keep doing your normal everyday tasks. They can also make you a special splint if certain joints are very painful.
- A dietitian (food expert) – Losing weight helps some people with RA feel better. Carrying excess weight puts extra strain on your joints. If your doctor agrees, a dietitian can help you make changes to your diet to help you lose weight.Some people with RA do not feel as hungry as usual. If this happens, a dietitian can help make sure that you get the nutrients you need.
- A cardiologist (heart doctor) – People with RA have a higher chance of having heart problems, such as a heart attack. A cardiologist can help monitor your heart to make sure that it is healthy.
What Can I Do on My Own?
You can:
- Get support – It is normal to be sad, upset, or worried when you find out that you have RA. Many people find it helpful to talk with others who are going through similar things. Support groups can happen in person or online. Sometimes, these feelings can be overwhelming. Feeling worried or upset most of the day can be a sign of depression or anxiety. Your doctor or nurse can talk to you about treatments that can help. This might include talking to a counselor, taking medicine, or both.
- Stay active – This is very important. You might want to avoid physical activity because you are in pain. But that can make things worse. It will make your muscles weak and your joints stiffer than they already are. Staying active can help you feel less tired and have less pain. It also might help you sleep better. Walking and swimming can be good activities that are easy on your joints.
- Eat a healthy diet – People with RA are at risk for heart disease, so avoid fatty foods. Instead, eat lots of fruits and vegetables.
- Quit smoking – Smoking further increases your risk for heart disease.
- Go to all your doctor’s appointments – It’s also important to get all of the vaccines your doctor recommends.
- Use ice or heat – This can help if your joints hurt or are stiff.
- Put a cold gel pack, bag of ice, or bag of frozen vegetables on the area that hurts every 1 to 2 hours, for 15 minutes each time, as needed. Put a thin towel between the ice (or other cold object) and your skin.
- Put a heating pad on the painful area for no more than 20 minutes at a time. Do not go to sleep with a heating pad. This can cause burns.
What If a Patient Wants to Get Pregnant?
It is possible to have a safe, healthy pregnancy with RA. But talk to your doctor before you start trying to get pregnant. This is because:
- Some of the medicines used to treat RA are not safe for a developing fetus. You might need to switch medicines before you get pregnant.
- There are things you should do to help prevent problems during pregnancy.
The symptoms of RA often get a lot better during pregnancy. But they can get worse again after giving birth.