Arthritis that can lead to more than stiff joints
PEOPLE living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) might feel they have enough to contend with in the form of painful joints.
Yet the latest research shows that they are also at three times the usual risk of developing depression, while 89 per cent are affected by chronic fatigue.
And those with RA are also more likely to develop heart disease.
This is because the inflammation doesn’t just affect the joints, but also affects the blood vessels, lowers the amount of good cholesterol and makes the blood more prone to clot.
This auto-immune condition is often confused with osteoarthritis, a wear and tear disease. But it’s actually very different, as in RA the immune system attacks the joint tissue, causing inflammation, stiffness, pain and extreme fatigue.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Week, which started on Monday, is putting the spotlight on RA, to help people understand what it is like to live with this systemic condition.
The National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) particularly wants to increase awareness of early symptoms, such as stiffness, swelling and fatigue, to encourage people to seek treatment and support as early as possible.
For more information, visit nras.org.uk.