Symptoms of RA RA is a systemic condition, meaning that it can affect the body all over. RA occurs when the immune system attacks the lining of the joints, and this can cause pain, swelling and stiffness. However, it can also affect organs, soft tissue and cause widespread symptoms such as fatigue and flu-like symptoms. The word ‘arthritis’ means ‘inflammation of the joints’. In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, this inflammation is caused by the immune system attacking the joints, not recognising the lining of the joint as healthy tissue. The effects of this will, of course, cause swelling and pain in the joints, but RA is also a ‘systemic’ disease, meaning that it can affect the body all over, not just in the joints. Pain Pain is, unfortunately one of the most common symptoms of RA. Pain in RA can have different causes, in particular pain from active RA, caused by the inflammation in the joints, pushing on the joints and surrounding soft tissue and pain from damage caused by RA. Read more Fatigue Fatigue is one of the most common and can be one of the most debilitating symptoms of RA. It is a level of tiredness which cannot always be eased through getting a good night’s sleep and it can have a major impact on day-to-day living. Read more Sleep Getting a good night’s sleep can be tough, especially when you are suffering from the symptoms of RA. We hope that this article will help to give you some tips for getting a good night’s sleep. Read more Mental health Rheumatoid arthritis does not just affect the body physically. There are a number of ways in which RA can impact on your mental health. How you feel mentally can also have an impact on your RA symptoms. Read more Managing flares Whether it’s short-lived or so severe you can hardly get out of bed, a flare can be frustrating, bewildering and painful and it is important to find strategies to help make each flare as manageable as possible. Read more Possible complications and related conditions There are two main ways in which other health conditions can be related to rheumatoid arthritis. The first is conditions that have symptoms in common with RA. These conditions may be suspected or may need to be ruled out when someone is in the process of getting a diagnosis of RA. The second is conditions that people with RA are more susceptible to; a complication of RA. Read more NRAS in 2023 0 Helpline enquiries 0 Publications sent out 0 People reached
Pain Pain is, unfortunately one of the most common symptoms of RA. Pain in RA can have different causes, in particular pain from active RA, caused by the inflammation in the joints, pushing on the joints and surrounding soft tissue and pain from damage caused by RA. Read more
Fatigue Fatigue is one of the most common and can be one of the most debilitating symptoms of RA. It is a level of tiredness which cannot always be eased through getting a good night’s sleep and it can have a major impact on day-to-day living. Read more
Sleep Getting a good night’s sleep can be tough, especially when you are suffering from the symptoms of RA. We hope that this article will help to give you some tips for getting a good night’s sleep. Read more
Mental health Rheumatoid arthritis does not just affect the body physically. There are a number of ways in which RA can impact on your mental health. How you feel mentally can also have an impact on your RA symptoms. Read more
Managing flares Whether it’s short-lived or so severe you can hardly get out of bed, a flare can be frustrating, bewildering and painful and it is important to find strategies to help make each flare as manageable as possible. Read more
Possible complications and related conditions There are two main ways in which other health conditions can be related to rheumatoid arthritis. The first is conditions that have symptoms in common with RA. These conditions may be suspected or may need to be ruled out when someone is in the process of getting a diagnosis of RA. The second is conditions that people with RA are more susceptible to; a complication of RA. Read more