| Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition that causes chronic | | | | blood vessels is another common complication that |
| inflammation of the joints such as knees, hips, ankles | | | | could also prove to be of a serious nature. |
| and hands. It is accompanied by high levels of pain | | | | The effects of rheumatoid arthritis can also extend |
| and can cause severe disability issues. More likely to | | | | to blood cells. It can affect the body by lowering |
| strike women than men, the condition is commonly | | | | levels of red blood cells, causing a condition known as |
| occurring in those over the age of 40 although it also | | | | anemia, which in turn causes fatigue, accelerated |
| affects much younger people. It affects about 1% | | | | heart beat, dizziness and insomnia. Lung problems are |
| of the population and can be dependent on a host of | | | | yet another way in which we can witness the |
| factors that include weight, environment, smoking | | | | effects of rheumatoid arthritis on the body. |
| and genetics. | | | | Inflammation of the lungs that can be attributed to |
| Contrary to common belief, the affects of | | | | the condition may cause pleuritis and fluid collection. |
| rheumatoid arthritis go beyond merely affecting joints | | | | Some complications that may arise as a result include |
| and causing restrictions on a person's mobility. In fact | | | | collapsed lungs, infections and coughing up of blood. |
| the condition can have significant and widespread | | | | What is worse is the tendency for some rheumatoid |
| effects on the whole body. One such effect can be | | | | arthritis medication to cause lung problems that could |
| seen on skin with the development of rheumatoid | | | | result in shortness of breath, cough and fever. |
| nodules. These are lumps of tissues that can occur, | | | | Most medication available for its treatment tends to |
| usually under the skin in areas such as the fingers, | | | | suppress the immune system and this could in turn |
| forearms, elbows and heels. They can even occur in | | | | cause complications by increased disease and illness |
| the lungs and heart or appear as ulcers. | | | | arising from a suppressed immune system. |
| Rheumatoid arthritis's effects on the body can be | | | | Life can be difficult at best for those living with this |
| detected in the eyes as well. Inflammations in the | | | | condition. The constant pain coupled with the inability |
| eyes, especially in the white area, can turn the eye | | | | to move about freely and enjoy life as well as the |
| red and cause pain. Vision loss and an increase risk of | | | | pain and difficulty in getting the most basic chores |
| Sjogren's syndrome are some of the other ways the | | | | done without pain or restrictions can, and often does, |
| disease can take its toll on the eyes. The heart and | | | | lead to high levels of depression in a significant |
| blood vessels are yet another set of organs that | | | | percentage of people living with this condition. Thus |
| could be affected by this condition and thereby place | | | | rheumatoid arthritis doesn't only take a toll on a |
| people under heightened risk of cardiovascular | | | | person's body; it also takes a toll on a person's |
| diseases, heart attacks and stroke. Inflammation of | | | | mental health. |