Possible Complications of Rheumatoid Arthritis

The Mayo Clinic reports that RA may cause joint damage to such an extent that disfigurement is possible. However, modern medical treatments have proven very effective in limiting or even halting this from happening.

Kidney
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesic drugs used to treat RA may rarely cause damage to kidney function.

Heart Disease
HealthCentral.com reports that recent studies show connections between heart disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Some of these studies show that RA patients are between thirty and fifty percent more likely to experience artery blockages and sixty to seventy percent more likely to die as a result.

Lungs
Rheumatoid Arthritis causes pleurisy, or an inflammation of the lining in the lungs. Pleurisy causes pain when breathing. Additionally, pleurisy may result in fluid accumulating around the lungs, causing shortness of breath.

The connective tissues of the lungs are also at risk for scarring in RA patients. When this occurs, patients experience a chronic cough, shortness of breath, fatigue and weight loss.

Eyes
Several issues involving the eyes may be associated with RA. For example, a condition known as Sjogren's syndrome, which causes dry eyes. Uvelitis, which causes pain, light sensitivity, and redness in the eyes, is another example. Treatment options for these conditions are available and may include lubrication, corticosteroid drops, or anti-inflammatory medications.

RA patients may have more likelihood to experience glaucoma or cataracts.

Cancer
RA patients are four times more likely to develop certain cancers, such as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Studies have dismissed the theory that the medication used to treat RA was the culprit in causing the cancer.

Disfiguration

The Mayo Clinic reports that RA may cause joint damage to such an extent that disfigurement is possible. However, modern medical treatments have proven very effective in limiting or even halting this from happening.

Kidney

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesic drugs used to treat RA may rarely cause damage to kidney function.

Heart Disease

HealthCentral.com reports that recent studies show connections between heart disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Some of these studies show that RA patients are between thirty and fifty percent more likely to experience artery blockages and sixty to seventy percent more likely to die as a result.

Lungs

Rheumatoid Arthritis causes pleurisy, or an inflammation of the lining in the lungs. Pleurisy causes pain when breathing. Additionally, pleurisy may result in fluid accumulating around the lungs, causing shortness of breath.

The connective tissues of the lungs are also at risk for scarring in RA patients. When this occurs, patients experience a chronic cough, shortness of breath, fatigue and weight loss.

Eyes

Several issues involving the eyes may be associated with RA. For example, a condition known as Sjogren's syndrome, which causes dry eyes. Uvelitis, which causes pain, light sensitivity, and redness in the eyes, is another example. Treatment options for these conditions are available and may include lubrication, corticosteroid drops, or anti-inflammatory medications.

RA patients may have more likelihood to experience glaucoma or cataracts.

Cancer

RA patients are four times more likely to develop certain cancers, such as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Studies have dismissed the theory that the medication used to treat RA was the culprit in causing the cancer.

Conclusion:

While the list of possible side effects seems long and frightening, with proper treatment they are not inevitable. The majority of rheumatoid arthritis sufferers will never develop any of these related conditions. Despite this fact, patients need regular monitoring and treatment from a qualified doctor who specializes in this condition to control the condition as much as possible. Rheumatologists are the physician of choice for many RA patients.