The longer you live, the more of life you are able to experience. Unfortunately, not all of your experiences are going to be positive or helpful. In fact, there are countless health ailments that can come about due to your age. For many people, rheumatoid arthritis can develop and become a huge hindrance to daily life. In order for you to know what to expect from RA, it can be helpful to understand a few basic points in advance. Learn more about this type of arthritis and see how you can make the most of living with this condition.
What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
First, it can be helpful to understand what this exact ailment entails. Essentially, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder. The body sends signals that perceive internal tissue as a threat, which causes the immune system to attack these parts of the body. This, in turn, leads to chronic inflammation that can impact everything from the joints to the heart. Dealing with tissues that are constantly inflamed can be painful in and of itself, but there is a lot more that can occur when this condition is left to run rampant.
The worse that rheumatoid arthritis gets, the more likely it is to have an impact on your mobility. Though many areas are impacted by RA, the lining of your joints are typically the most affected area. The condition causes joints to swell and, over the course of time, it can also lead to joints becoming deformed. In some cases, bone erosion can also occur due to the ailment worsening.
What Are the Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis?
There are several key ways to tell that you are experiencing the onset of rheumatoid arthritis. On average, the smaller joints are usually the first to be impacted by the condition. For example, you may notice a swelling or a tenderness in your fingers or toes. You may also notice that the joints are stiff and difficult to move after you have been involved in vigorous physical activity. Many people also report that it is most difficult to move these joints in the morning. As the condition progresses, people express feelings of fatigue, as well as a loss of appetite.
While RA predominantly impacts the joints, there are actually many people who express other symptoms before the joints are ever sore or swollen. If you notice pain or swelling in or around your eyes, salivary glands, or blood vessels, it could be a strong indication of arthritis taking hold. Other areas that tend to be impacted include the lungs, heart, kidneys, and bones.
What Other Impact Does Rheumatoid Arthritis Have on the Body?
As with any condition, living with rheumatoid arthritis can easily have a profound effect on other aspects of your life before long. When your joints are swollen or cause pain to move, it can lead you to be less active. The more sedentary your lifestyle becomes, the easier it is for you to see unwanted weight gain and other repercussions. Learning more about the correlation between rheumatoid arthritis and belly fat can provide you with greater insight into what your options are and how you can combat these symptoms of the ailment.
What Causes Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Unlike other diseases and conditions, it is not always easy to trace the origins of rheumatoid arthritis in an individual. However, some experts believe that the development of RA comes down to a very specific genetic marker. The gene does not cause the arthritis. Instead, RA is triggered by those who possess this gene after having a bad reaction to a virus or particular strain of bacteria. As the immune system fights the foreign bodies, it causes the onset of rheumatoid arthritis. Naturally, there are a few factors that seem to increase a person’s risk for the condition.
Though all people can experience RA, it seems to disproportionately impact women. Additionally, it is most likely to develop this type of arthritis after middle age, though it is possible that younger individuals experience the symptoms of RA. If members of your family have experienced rheumatoid arthritis, it greatly increases the odds that you may also develop the condition. Experts also point out that smokers are more likely to develop arthritis, especially in those who have a family history of the condition.
How To Protect Yourself
Though there is little to be done to stop rheumatoid arthritis from developing, there are countless ways to treat the condition. Take time to speak with a medical professional and gain more insight into how you can do what’s best for your health.
