Rheumatoid Arthritis: 5 Things You May Not Have Known

23 May 2015

Jaime Allen

Rheumatoid arthritis is a very challenging and chronic disease that causes joint pain, swelling, stiffness and limited function. It affects roughly 1.3 million American adults, with the majority of these individuals being women. Many people are aware of the symptoms of RA, which include fever, energy loss, loss of appetite and dry mouth, but there are plenty of things regarding the disease that you may be less familiar with. Some of these are discussed below.

Smoking Is a Common Cause.

According to a 2014 study, smoking increases your risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis by 26 percent. If you've already been diagnosed, tobacco use can also make your symptoms worse. In addition, it can lead to your RA treatments being much less effective than they would be if you weren't smoking.

You May Find Relief with Fish.

One of the primary symptoms of RA is inflammation. Fish, like tuna and salmon, and other foods high in Omega-3 fatty acids are known to help combat inflammation, which may help you obtain some pain relief. By incorporating Omega-3s into your diet, you may be able to reduce the anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that you have to take, which will lessen the side effects associated with NSAIDs.

Obese Individuals May Suffer More.

There are certain inflammatory chemicals in your body fat that are believed to play a significant role in rheumatoid arthritis. Some of these may affect the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems. Obese individuals are at risk of their RA disease advancing much more quickly in the joints that bear the most weight.

You Don't Have to Be Old to Develop RA.

One of the most common myths related to rheumatoid arthritis is in regard to the age groups the disease affects. It is commonly believed that it only affects older individuals, but this is not necessarily true. In fact, RA will often develop in individuals between 30 and 60 years of age, although it can occur at any age, including in children.

As with any disease, it is always better to begin treatment for rheumatoid arthritis early. This increases the chances of successful treatment that can help you continue to lead an active lifestyle. If you are concerned about having RA, would like more information about RA or have recently been diagnosed and would like a second opinion, contact a doctor in your area.

The more you know about RA, the better and sooner you'll be able to catch sight of the symptoms. If you're experiencing persistent pain from your condition, a pain management specialist may be able to help. Companies like Florida Personal Injury Physicians can help you understand your treatment options.

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