Rheumatoid Arthritis complications?  Yes, they may be there; the first thing that will come to mind is the stiffness, swollen and painful joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is categorized as an illness. But there is another aspect to this disease, and these are the complications of rheumatoid arthritis. The complications can be felt anywhere on the body. The process of autoimmunity of the body that causes havoc on the joints also affects the blood vessels, skin, heart, lungs, eyes and other parts. The medications for rheumatoid arthritis have some side effects too which are unwanted and some unexpected. Dealing with this illness may cause emotional stress, which for some people results to depression.

In order to manage the complications of rheumatoid arthritis, one should know the problems at their early stages and get proper medical treatment and not some bogus self-proclaimed miracle drug.

Complications of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid nodules – Some people that have rheumatoid arthritis acquire lumps of tissue that are commonly found underneath the skin, specifically on the fingers, heels, forearms or elbows. These appear gradually or suddenly may be a sign of a more serious disease developing within the body. The nodules may also appear in other areas such as the heart and lungs. Other related inflammation of vasculitis may cause some changes to skin and the tissue surrounding it which resemble ulcers. There are also other skin changes such as rashes that relates to rheumatoid arthritis. It is important to inform your doctor about this skin changes.

• Rheumatoid arthritis also affects the eyes in various ways. The thin membrane in the eye that protects the sclera, when inflamed, may be a sign of complications of rheumatoid arthritis. Commonly, the inflammation is mild although it may become painful and reddish. An eye disease known as scleritis is considered more serious which sometimes lead to loss of vision. It also put patients at risk of a disease which causes the immune system to attack lacrimal glands of the eye – glands that produce tears. The effects are dry and gritty eyes. If this is not treated, the dryness may lead to infection which is then followed by scarring of the membrane that protects the eye and the cornea. Inform your doctor or do regular check up with your eyes when you are diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.

• The blood vessels and the heart – majority of the people that are diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis have a collection of fluid between the heart and the pericardium. This is also known as pericardial effusion. This commonly develops during the heightened activity of the disease. When it is persistent it causes tightening and thickening of the membrane which interferes with the ability of the heart to function properly.

• People with rheumatoid arthritis are easily affected by infections. These may be related to the underlying illness or the medications that are used to treat the disease. Studies show that when these treatments are applied to patients, they become more prone to infection.

There are some cases too where rheumatoid arthritis affects the patient on an emotional level, which in turn affects the physical health. Hence, if you start to feel the symptoms of RA, seek the doctor’s expertise to avoid complications of rheumatoid arthritis.