Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): Symptoms, Risk Factors, Diagnosis, & Complications

Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease, which means that your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body by mistake, causing inflammation (painful swelling) in the affected parts of the body.

SYMPTOMS OF RA:
With RA, there are times when symptoms get worse, known as FLARES, and times when symptoms get better, known as REMISSION.

• Pain or aching in more than one joint
• Stiffness in more than one joint
• Tenderness and swelling in more than one joint
• The same symptoms on both sides of the body (such as in both hands or both knees)
• Weight loss
• Fever
• Fatigue or tiredness
• Weakness

RISK FACTORS FOR RA:

• Age: RA can begin at any age but the onset of RA is highest among adults in their sixties.
• Gender: RA is typically two-to-three times more common in women.
• Genetics/inherited traits: People born with specific genes are more likely to develop RA. Also, If a member of your family has rheumatoid arthritis, you may have an increased risk of the disease.
• Smoking: Cigarette smoking increases a person’s risk of developing RA and can make the disease worse.
• Obesity: Being obese can increase the risk of developing RA.

DIAGNOSIS OF RA:
Rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed by reviewing symptoms, conducting a physical examination, and doing X-rays and lab tests.
The lab tests include primarily 2 tests:
Anti-CCP (cyclic citrullinated peptide) antibody
Rheumatoid factor

COMPLICATIONS OF RA:

Since Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, it can have complications relating to many different organ systems. RA increases your risk of developing:

• Osteoporosis
• Rheumatoid nodules (can form anywhere in the body, including the heart and lungs)
• Dry eyes and mouth
• Abnormal body composition (The proportion of fat to lean mass is often higher in people who have RA, even in those who have a normal BMI.)
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Heart problems
• Lung disease
Joint pains should not be ignored