Bumping this upbumping this to the topSo many people don't realize just how rheumatoid arthritis can infect just about every part of the body. It is an autoimmune/inflamation disease. Good information to know and to watch for.
Think of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and you probably think of the stiff, painful, and inflamed joints that characterize the disease. But what you might not know is that RA complications can occur in many parts of the body. The autoimmune process that wreaks havoc on the joints can also affect the eyes, lungs, skin, heart and blood vessels, and other organs. The medications you take for RA can have unwanted side effects as well. And, dealing with a chronic disease like RA day in and day out may cause emotional distress. Many people with RA suffer from depression.
To manage the complications of rheumatoid arthritis, it's important to recognize problems early and get appropriate treatment. Here are some potential problems you should be aware of:
http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/guide/rheumatoid-arthritis-complications Yes, I AM bumping this again. From a wholly personal perspective and fully subjective point of view everyone needs to be reminded, at least on occasion. TTT