Table of Contents
Can you live with rheumatoid arthritis without medication?
Without proper treatment, RA can cause long-term damage to joints and serious damage to your whole body, along with persistent pain and disability, says David Pisetsky, MD, PhD, a rheumatologist and professor of medicine and immunology at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, North Carolina.
Is rheumatoid arthritis really that bad?
RA is a very serious autoimmune disease, in which your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body’s tissues and causes severe joint pain, stiffness, severe fatigue, and sometimes deformity, usually in the hands, shoulders, knees, and/or feet. It affects men, women, and children of all ages.
Can RA cripple you?
Unlike osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis can be a crippling condition that only gets worse with time. Left untreated, the disease almost always attacks at least five joints, and sometimes many more. Without treatment, the deformed joints may become increasingly difficult to move.
How long do rheumatoid arthritis patients live?
In general, it is possible for RA to reduce life expectancy by around 10 to 15 years. However, many people continue to live with their symptoms past the age of 80 or even 90 years.
What are the long term effects of rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis can cause a reduction in red blood cells. This is called anemia. Anemia may cause fatigue, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, leg cramps, and insomnia, or sleeplessness.
How to live well with arthritis?
Work. Many people with arthritis want to continue working for many reasons,including better financial security and higher self-esteem.
What is the best climate for someone with rheumatoid arthritis?
Gentle weather all year long