Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that primarily targets the joints of the arms or legs or both at once. As an autoimmune disease, RA turns your immune system against your body, causing it to attack healthy cells in your body and develop inflammation in the affected areas.
Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by inflammation and extreme pain in the joints of the affected parts of the body. If left unchecked, this disease can ultimately destroy the joint cartilage and cause long-lasting pain, unsteadiness, and deformity. RA also affects other parts of the body, including the eyes, mouths, and lungs.
It is crucial to diagnose and begin treating rheumatoid arthritis at its early stages to slow or stop its progression and reduce the damaging effects of the disease.
Detecting rheumatoid arthritis symptoms within six months of its onset can help ensure you receive the best treatment necessary to manage the inflammation. Here are some of the early symptoms of RA you don’t want to ignore.
You’ll discover together the signs that your body gives when you have Rheumatoid Arthritis.
1. Struggling Breathing
One of the organs rheumatoid arthritis (RA) primarily affects when it worsens is the lungs. As the condition progresses, the body attacks the lung cells, leading to lung scarring – damaged lung tissues. That eventually causes difficulty in breathing, chronic dry cough, Fatigue, general body weakness, lack of appetite, and unplanned weight loss.
Oxygen therapy is one of the recommended treatments for lung scarring, and in the worst-case scenario, you may be advised to have a lung transplant. Therefore, you must consult a doctor early in the condition to prevent it from progressing
2. Vision Problems
Contrary to popular opinion, rheumatoid arthritis does not only affect the joints, the inflammation also damages the eyes. While a rare occurrence, arthritis can cause the development of infections in the eyes and vision problems. This condition is known as Scleritis and affects the sclera (white part of the eye) and the cornea, leading to redness, pains, and vision changes.
If you experience persistent vision problems – redness and severe pain –, immediately book an appointment with your doctor.
3. Numbness and Tingling
Numbness and tingling are symptoms that may develop as rheumatoid arthritis progresses. When swelling occurs within the carpal tunnel – which made of the carpal bones and ligaments – it leads to compression of the nerves. That is what causes numbness and tingling in the hand and fingers. This condition is known as carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).
The only way you can treat rheumatoid arthritis-induced CTS is by treating the underlying disease. Once you notice this symptom, you should contact your doctor to discuss treatment options.
4. Hearing Problems
While there is no definite link between rheumatoid arthritis and hearing loss, several studies have confirmed that people with RA are more likely to have sensorineural hearing loss. This form of hearing loss is sometimes caused by a combination of autoimmune inner ear disease (AIED) and RA. As it develops over time, the condition leads to symptoms such as dizziness and ringing in the ears.
Immediately reach out to your doctor if you start experiencing ringing ears and difficulty in hearing.
5. Having Dry Eyes or A Dry Mouth
Dry eyes and dry mouth are symptoms of Sjogren’s syndrome, a condition induced by rheumatoid arthritis. When you develop Sjogren’s syndrome, your body mistakenly attacks your cells and tissues, targeting your tears and saliva gland. These eventually lead to itching or burning eyes, difficulty in swallowing or speaking, mouth sores, and chronic cough.
Dry eyes can also be caused by keratoconjunctivitis sicca, a condition caused by RA inflammation in the eyes. It reduces fluid secretion in the tear glands, leading to eye redness, poor vision, and a debris sensation in the eye.
Several treatments are available for dry eyes and dry mouth from RA. However, you must report the condition at its early stages.
6. Emotions and Mood Changes
There are many ways in which rheumatoid arthritis can lead to mental health problems. The pains and symptoms of RA can cause negative changes in your lifestyle, leading to mood changes and depression. Also, studies have shown that inflammation due to rheumatoid arthritis increases the levels of C-reactive protein and cytokines, causing depressive symptoms.
Living with daily pain from RA can also put severe stress on your emotions, causing changes in your mood, thinking, and behavior.
You may experience emotional changes and mood swings in your personality. The patient can experience anxiety and depression. Emotional and mood changes could take troll over you.
If you are suffering from RA and are concerned about your mental health, consider talking to your doctor for treatment and therapy options.
7. Chest Pain and Discomfort
Rheumatoid arthritis can cause lung inflammation and heart inflammation. These inflammations can lead to conditions such as pleurisy, pulmonary fibrosis, and pericarditis, which results in chest pain, a persistent cough, and shortness of breath.
RA can also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, which may lead to heart attack and stroke, with symptoms like chest pain. If you experience constant chest pains, reach out to your doctor.
8. Digestive and stomach Issues
The digestive system is another part of the body that is affected by rheumatoid arthritis. Studies have revealed a strong connection between RA and gastrointestinal problems. The inflammation from RA can lead to stomach ulcers, bleeding, esophagitis, perforations, bowel inflammation, and infections in your gastrointestinal system. It can also cause abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and difficulty in swallowing.
Changing your eating habits and lifestyle can alleviate the gastrointestinal symptoms of RA. Most importantly, consult your doctor to review your treatment options.
9. Morning stiffness
Morning stiffness is one of the most common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. It occurs around joints that are affected by the disease and may last longer than 30 minutes. This kind of stiffness happens after a period of inactivity, like napping or sitting.
Morning stiffness can become more severe if left untreated. Hence, it’s essential you contact your doctor in the early stages.
10. Fever
Inflammation from rheumatoid arthritis can cause an increase in metabolic rate, which in turn leads to low-grade fever. This condition is characterized by a temperature below 101 degrees Fahrenheit.
However, to ensure the fever is due to RA, your doctor needs to confirm if you have no flu, bacterial infection, and other diseases such as cancer.