What is Rheumatoid Arthritis
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Foot?
Living with foot pain, especially when caused by rheumatoid arthritis, can significantly hinder daily life, and leave you unable to enjoy simple tasks—taking out the trash, doing laundry, or walking around the block with family can leave you breathless from the aches, burning, numbness, or soreness. When rheumatoid arthritis seeps into the foot's tissues and begins to impede your day-to-day activities, it's best to act as quickly as possible to help minimize its impact.
What is rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system begins to defy logic and attack its own body, sending antibody cells to the lining of the joints, called the synovium. The synovium thickens as more antibodies accumulate and more protein is produced. Over time, the thickened and inflamed synovium continues to push further into the joint, causing swelling, pain, and, in some cases, eventually damaging the cartilage and bone.
Furthermore, RA can stretch the joint capsule and cause changes within the joint structure. The supporting and stabilizing ligaments, skeletal muscles, and tendons can be weakened and impaired gradually, leading to more pain and medical issues.
Beyond feet, RA can affect joints in the:
Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms in Feet:
The most common symptoms include swelling, stiffness, warmth, and tenderness to the touch of toe joints and other ligaments running through the foot. These symptoms may occur whether moving or at rest, with stiffness lasting longer than 30 minutes, usually after first waking in the morning or resting for an extended period.
More symptoms include:
Additional side effects include unpleasant moods and behaviors, greater risk of falls and injuries, diminished self-care ability, and overall worsened quality of life.
RA can also cause other medical problems beyond the joints, affecting the lungs, blood vessels, eyes, skin, nerves, or heart.
How rheumatoid arthritis can develop in feet:
The initial development of RA may be caused by a mix of genetics and exposure to environmental stressors. The cause of RA as an autoimmune disorder can begin in the immune system years prior to the surfacing of symptoms in the joints.
Risk factors of RA also include:
Ways to treat rheumatoid arthritis in the foot:
No specific cure is available for RA presently, but there are ways to significantly reduce pain, including:
If you are a patient of RA affecting your feet, don't wait until the pain is too unbearable to partake in normal daily activities. Act quickly and responsibly to manage your RA and follow along for more tips, tricks, and wellness products from aidmyplantar.com.
Living with foot pain, especially when caused by rheumatoid arthritis, can significantly hinder daily life, and leave you unable to enjoy simple tasks—taking out the trash, doing laundry, or walking around the block with family can leave you breathless from the aches, burning, numbness, or soreness. When rheumatoid arthritis seeps into the foot's tissues and begins to impede your day-to-day activities, it's best to act as quickly as possible to help minimize its impact.
What is rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system begins to defy logic and attack its own body, sending antibody cells to the lining of the joints, called the synovium. The synovium thickens as more antibodies accumulate and more protein is produced. Over time, the thickened and inflamed synovium continues to push further into the joint, causing swelling, pain, and, in some cases, eventually damaging the cartilage and bone.
Furthermore, RA can stretch the joint capsule and cause changes within the joint structure. The supporting and stabilizing ligaments, skeletal muscles, and tendons can be weakened and impaired gradually, leading to more pain and medical issues.
Beyond feet, RA can affect joints in the:
- hands
- wrist
- knees
- spine
- jaw
Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms in Feet:
The most common symptoms include swelling, stiffness, warmth, and tenderness to the touch of toe joints and other ligaments running through the foot. These symptoms may occur whether moving or at rest, with stiffness lasting longer than 30 minutes, usually after first waking in the morning or resting for an extended period.
More symptoms include:
- fatigue
- occasional fevers
- loss of appetite
Additional side effects include unpleasant moods and behaviors, greater risk of falls and injuries, diminished self-care ability, and overall worsened quality of life.
RA can also cause other medical problems beyond the joints, affecting the lungs, blood vessels, eyes, skin, nerves, or heart.
How rheumatoid arthritis can develop in feet:
The initial development of RA may be caused by a mix of genetics and exposure to environmental stressors. The cause of RA as an autoimmune disorder can begin in the immune system years prior to the surfacing of symptoms in the joints.
Risk factors of RA also include:
- Age: Although RA can affect anyone at any age, it's more typical in adults over the age of 30.
- Sex: Women are more likely to have RA than men. About two-thirds of RA patients are women, with studies indicating a link between female sex hormones such as estrogen.
- Smoking: People who smoke have higher chances of developing RA, and those who smoke also report worsened symptoms, as smoking is a significant known cause of inflammation.
- Obesity: Studies show a higher risk of RA when obese. Obesity can also worsen symptoms of RA, such as inflammation and disability compared to those at a healthy weight.
Ways to treat rheumatoid arthritis in the foot:
No specific cure is available for RA presently, but there are ways to significantly reduce pain, including:
- Prescribed medication or steroid injections from a physician
- Joint replacement surgery
- Physical therapy
- Lifestyle changes such as regular or daily exercise and avoiding smoking and alcohol
- Natural remedies, such as hot or cold packs, getting plenty of sleep, acupuncture, nutritional supplements, and much more that can help alleviate stress or pressure on the joints
If you are a patient of RA affecting your feet, don't wait until the pain is too unbearable to partake in normal daily activities. Act quickly and responsibly to manage your RA and follow along for more tips, tricks, and wellness products from aidmyplantar.com.
