Rheumatoid Arthritis

What Are The Possible Complications Of Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis can be both a disfiguring and debilitating disease. Joint damage can make it extremely difficult, and sometimes impossible to perform daily activities. Most patients initially find that daily tasks become tiring; eventually some people cannot do them at all. Fortunately, new therapies are more effective in slowing down or halting joint damage.
Rheumatoid arthritis is often unpredictable; the patient never knows when his/her next flare up will occur. Some days are better than others. This unpredictability raises the risk of developing depression, heightened anxiety and feelings of stress.
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis have a higher risk of developing the following conditions:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome - a type of nerve damage (neuropathy) caused by compression and irritation of the median nerve in the wrist. There is a bony canal in the palm side of the wrist that provides passage for the median nerve to the hand - it is called the carpal tunnel. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition in people with rheumatoid arthritis. Typical symptoms include aching, numbness and tingling in the fingers, thumb, and part of the hand.
• Inflammation elsewhere - people with rheumatoid arthritis may have inflammation in their lungs, heart, blood vessels, eyes and other parts of the body.
• Tendon rupture - the tendons can become inflamed. In severe cases of inflammation the tendon can rupture, especially on the backs of the fingers.
• Cervical myelopathy - dislocation of the joints at the top of the spine, resulting in added pressure to the spinal cord. This condition can greatly affect the patient’s mobility. Cervical myelopathy risk grows the longer the patient has had rheumatoid arthritis.
• Vasculitis - inflammation of the blood vessels, which can lead to weakening, thickening, narrowing and scarring of blood vessels. In advanced cases blood flow to organs and tissues may be affected.
• Susceptibility to infections - a person with rheumatoid arthritis has a higher risk of catching colds, flu, pneumonia and other infections. The risk is higher if they are taking immunosuppressant medications. Patients should make sure their vaccinations, such as flu jabs, are up-to-date.