Effect of Rhematoid Arthritis on other organs

Effect of Rhematoid Arthritis on other organs:

Although rheumatoid arthritis most often affects the joints, it is a disease of the entire body. It can affect many organs and body systems besides the joints. Therefore, rheumatoid arthritis is sometimes referred to as systemic disease.

            Musculoskeletal structures: Damage to muscles surrounding joints may cause atrophy (shrinking and weakening). This is most common in the hands. Atrophy also may result from not using a muscle, usually because of pain or swelling. Damage to bones and tendons can cause deformities, especially the hands and feet. Osteoporosis and carpal tunnel syndrome are other common complications in rheumatoid arthritis.

·            Skin: Many people with rheumatoid arthritis form small nodules on or near the joint that are visible under the skin. These rheumatoid nodules are most noticeable under the skin on the bony areas that stick out when a joint is flexed. 

Dark purplish areas on the skin (purpura) are caused by bleeding into the skin from blood vessels damaged by rheumatoid arthritis. This damage to the blood vessels is called vasculitis, and these vasculitic lesions also may cause skin ulcers.

Heart: A collection of fluid around the heart from inflammation is not uncommon in rheumatoid arthritis. This usually causes only mild symptoms, if any, but it can be very severe. Rheumatoid arthritis-related inflammation can affect the heart muscle, the heart valves, or the blood vessels of the heart (coronary arteries).

Lungs: Rheumatoid arthritis' effects on the lungs may take several forms. Fluid may collect around one or both lungs and is referred to as pleuritis. Less frequently, lung tissues may become stiff or overgrown, referred to as pulmonary fibrosis. Any of these effects can have a negative effect on breathing.

Digestive tract: The digestive tract is usually not affected directly by rheumatoid arthritis. Dry mouth, related to Sjögren syndrome, is the most common symptom of gastrointestinal involvement. 

Digestive complications are much more likely to be caused by medications used to treat the condition, such as gastritis (stomach inflammation) or stomach ulcer caused by NSAID therapy. Any part of the digestive tract may become inflamed if the patient develops vasculitis, but this is uncommon. If the liver is involved (10%), it may become enlarged and cause discomfort in the abdomen.

 Kidneys: The kidneys are not usually affected directly by rheumatoid arthritis. Kidney problems in rheumatoid     arthritis are much more likely to be caused by medications used to treat the condition. 

Blood vessels: Inflammation of the blood vessels can cause problems in any organ but are most common in the skin, where they appear as purpura or skin ulcers.

Blood: Anemia or "low blood" is a common complication of rheumatoid arthritis. Anemia means that you have an abnormally low number of red blood cells and that these cells are low in hemoglobin, the substance that carries oxygen through the body. (Anemia has many different causes and is by no means unique to rheumatoid arthritis.) A low white blood cell count (leukopenia) can occur from Felty's syndrome, a complication of rheumatoid arthritis that is also characterized by enlargement of the spleen.

Nervous system: The deformity and damage to joints in rheumatoid arthritis often lead to entrapment of nerves. Carpal tunnel syndrome is one example of this. Entrapment can damage nerves and may lead to serious consequences.

Eyes: The eyes commonly become dry and/or inflamed in rheumatoid arthritis. This is called Sjögren syndrome. The severity of this condition depends on which parts of the eye are affected. There are many other eye complications of rheumatoid arthritis that often require the attention of an ophthalmologist.

       Like many autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis typically waxes and wanes. Most people with rheumatoid     arthritis experience periods when their symptoms worsen (known as flares or active disease) separated by periods in which the symptoms improve. With successful treatment, symptoms may even go away completely (remission, or inactive disease).