Long-term impact of RA

There's a lot to learn about RA, and this can make you feel a bit overwhelmed. Perhaps you already know it causes joints to be stiff and painful, but you should also know that RA is progressive, which means that over time, it can cause irreversible damage to the joints. Your immune system begins to attack your joints. As time passes, joint cartilage breaks down, narrowing the joint space until there's nothing left but bone rubbing against bone. In addition, the bones can also erode.

RA may also affect other parts of your body—not just your joints. As you begin to understand the full potential impact of RA, it's important to learn as much as possible about strategies for living with RA.

Other ways RA may affect the body

People with RA may feel tired or weak. They may also have coexisting health issues such as lung disease, anemia, heart problems, and skin conditions. That's why it's important to be under the care of a rheumatologist who can identify and monitor symptoms.

Early treatment and a disease management program directed by a rheumatologist may help slow the progression of joint damage. This kind of attention to your health care is essential for treating your RA.

Coping with RA

RA can impact your ability to work and how you live your life. Your daily routine may become more difficult, but there are things you can do right now to make the disease more manageable.

Tips for living with RA

• Educate yourself. Knowing more about RA is helpful whether you are newly diagnosed or already being treated. Work with your rheumatologist to learn more about RA and ways to manage lifestyle, home, and work issues.
• Adopt a healthy lifestyle. Stretching and strengthening your muscles can increase your ability to function. Talk with a health care professional about exercises that may help reduce RA joint pain and stiffness and make you stronger and more flexible. Adequate rest, such as an afternoon nap, may reduce the fatigue that people with RA experience.
• Use coping strategies. Feelings of distress and pain due to your RA may negatively affect your social activities. Coping strategies, such as meditation or other relaxation techniques, may ease the stress and pain related to your disease.

The health information contained herein is provided for educational purpose only and is not intended to replace discussions with a health care professional. All decisions regarding patient care must be made with a health care professional, considering the unique characteristics of the patient.