Many adults have experienced the tell-tale signs of aging – sore joints, muscle soreness, and subtle changes in the way our body functions. Have you ever wondered if something else is at play with your aches and pains? Many times, we dismiss important clues that may indicate the presence of an autoimmune disorder such as Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
1. What is Rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a debilitating autoimmune disease characterized by swollen, painful joints and tissues that continue for long stretches of time. The areas most affected are bony parts of the body like the hands and knees.
The causes of RA aren’t fully understood, but experts suspect genetics and hormones may trigger the immune system to attack itself. Research indicates most RA diagnosis occurs between the ages of 50-59 and is more likely to affect women.
2. What Is The Link Between Inflammation and RA?
Inflammation is the underlying problem of RA, and the common link to all the symptoms we’ll discuss here. Inflammation is the byproduct of a cytokine imbalance. Cytokines are signaling proteins that helps the body fight off germs, viruses, and infections.
Normally, there is balance within the cells, but in the case of RA, there is an unknown trigger that causes the body to overproduce cytokines. The result is that the cells become irregular in their ability to function and can compromise health quite profoundly if left untreated.
Read more of 11 unusual RA signs you should not ignore:
1: Overwhelming Fatigue
Many people may attribute mild fatigue to just getting older and slowing down, but in some cases, ongoing tiredness may signal something more serious.
Because RA is hallmarked by inflammation, the body becomes overworked resulting in overwhelming fatigue. The lack of energy may continue for prolonged periods despite getting adequate rest and nutrition.
2: Cognitive and Emotional Changes
Feeling the ebbs and flows of life is quite normal so it may be a little tricky to notice subtle differences in behavior. Functional medicine doctors recognize an overlap with other undiagnosed conditions but can uncover certain signs that help confirm the presence of RA.
Many RA patients experience neurological-type changes that are thought to be the result of long-term inflammation. The physical neurological changes may also coincide with the obvious psychological toll that comes from trying to cope with feeling unwell. For example, common symptoms may include:
3: Depression
It may seem odd that RA can lead to depression and anxiety but studies state that patients with RA are more likely to develop depressive episodes because of having RA. We believe that widespread inflammation can lead to changes in brain chemistry. These changes in emotional outlook may appear to come unexpectedly, meaning that is not normal for you to feel this way for long periods of time.
4: Brain Fog, Poor Memory and/or Understanding
Some people may find they lack the ability to focus for extended periods of time or on certain tasks they once found easy. The lack of blood flow alters the way the brain receives and transmits information because it is starved of oxygen and nutrients. Memory lapses, inability to understand, and even problems with speech can be the result of narrowed arteries. Spouses or those close to you may also voice concern, signaling that it may be time to visit your physician.
5: Low Grade Fevers
Running a slight temperature is a clue that something is amiss in your body. Inflammation draws blood flow to injured or diseased tissues which then causes your entire body to feel the negative effect. When your body is overly stressed in this way, it can make you vulnerable to infections and viral attacks resulting in a low-grade fever in otherwise healthy adults.
6: Raynaud’s Disease
Considered to be strongly correlated to Rheumatoid Arthritis, Raynaud’s Disease, (sometimes referred to as Raynaud’s Phenomenon), involves an attack on the more sensitive parts of the body i.e., nose, hands, fingers, toes, knees, nipples, and ears.
The attacks are called vasospasms and occur when the arteries narrow to the point that blood flow is restricted. Vasospasms can be triggered by stressful circumstances and cold temperatures producing sensations like pins and needles in the extremities, numbness, and burning that can last for several hours.
7: Skin Problems
A: Increased Sun Sensitivity
Sun sensitivity occurs not as a direct result of having RA, but from the medications used to treat joint related issues. The sunlight can create photosensitivity and lead to sunburn, rashes, and eye discomfort. Patients should take precautions to protect their skin from prolonged sun exposure.
B: Bruising
You may notice unusual bruises on your skin that were not the cause of an injury. The bruises are the result of low blood platelets and narrowed arteries.
C: Sores and Slow Healing Wounds
A lack of blood blow creates irritated tissues that become tender and swollen and lead to painful sores and ulcers. Open sores may take a long time to heal and can also bleed, making you more prone to infection.
D: Nodules
The nodules that stem from RA are firm, but pliable flesh-colored bumps that arise in bony areas of the body like the knuckles, knees, wrists, and elbows. They can range from a pea size nodule to that of a small tangerine or lemon.
8: Sjogren’s (SHOW-grins) syndrome
Sjogren’s syndrome or disease, is also an autoimmune disorder that affects the glandular tissues and produces dry eyes, pain in the joints with or without swelling, dry skin, and swollen lymph nodes.
9: Digestive Issues
The inflammatory cascade experienced over extended periods of time can wreak havoc on the tissues within the digestive tract. Common digestive issues can include irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerations, weight loss, stomach pain, and heartburn.
10: Breathing Issues
Shortness of breath is a commonly overlooked symptom of RA. This happens because the walls of the lungs are very susceptible to inflammation-related damage. The lungs have small airways that can quickly become overwhelmed with mucous leading to bronchial complications such as dry coughing, infections, and trouble breathing. Without treatment, the condition can worsen and result in life-threatening pneumonia or COPD. Lung scarring can also occur, which can be the result of lung term inflammation, leading to ILD (Interstitial lung disease).
11: Neck Pain
RA inflammation can lead to a condition called Synovitis. This describes a condition that describes the swelling of connective tissue between the vertebrae’s located at the base of the neck (C1 and C2). Somewhere between 43 and 88% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) suffer from cervical spine involvement (synovitis) and experience stiffness in the neck, pain, and restricted movement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1: Who is more likely to develop RA?
Research indicates most RA diagnosis occurs between the ages of 50-59 and is more likely to affect women.
2: What are the uncommon symptoms of RA?
Some of the more uncommon symptoms include rashes, loss of hearing or tinnitus, sleep problems, oral health issues, and problems with vision.
3: What are the unusual side effects of RA?
The inflammation that is associated with the damaging of blood vessels can create a myriad of unusual side affects that may include:
- Weight loss or changes in taste and appetite
- Sleep apnea
- Chest pain stemming from lung damage
- Skin problems, nodules, sores, and ulcerations
- Gastrointestinal problems
4: What is the life expectancy of someone living with RA?
If treated, people living with RA can live long lives with minor impact to their daily lives. Untreated patients may experience bone deformities or cartilage damage, or sequelae related to the damage of blood vessels.
5: What else could it be if it is not RA responsible for your symptoms?
There are several autoimmune diseases that share similar symptoms to Rheumatoid Arthritis in addition to a myriad of health conditions. These could be an undiagnosed bacterial or viral infection or medication-induced side effects.
It’s important to consult a medical professional early on. A functional medicine doctor can help you find the diagnosis along with an appropriate treatment plan.
Summary
While a diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis can be understandably frightening, seeking medical advice and treatment is crucial to manage the condition and improve your quality of life. Integrative medicine doctors in Charlotte, NC are experts in obtaining a detailed history of symptoms and performing specialized testing to determine if RA is the cause. Once a diagnosis of RA is made, a comprehensive approach entails evaluating the root cause and controlling the inflammation driving the condition. This will lead to an improvement in symptoms as well as quality of life.
