With aggressive treatment, RA can go into remission (no visible signs or symptoms. Learn if it's possible to take less medication or even a drug holiday.
In a joint with RA, the lining of the joint becomes inflamed, causing damage to joint tissue. This tissue damage can cause long-lasting or chronic pain, unsteadiness (lack of balance), and deformity (misshapenness).
When you have rheumatoid arthritis, your symptoms -- including joint pain and swelling -- can come and go. The times when you feel better and your symptoms are under control are called "remission." The goal of your RA treatment is remission. It can make you feel like your RA has gone away -- at least for a while.
How long do RA flares last? The length of time an RA flare lasts can vary widely, from a few hours to several days or weeks. If a flare does not improve after 7 days, it may be a good idea to contact a physician. The doctor may suggest adjusting the person's medication.
In addition to pain, this disease causes stiffness in the affected joints. You may have difficulty getting out of bed or walking in the morning because of stiff and painful ankles, knees, or feet. This stiffness is usually worse in the mornings and can last for 45 minutes or more.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. This means your immune system (which usually fights infection) attacks the cells that line your joints by mistake, making the joints swollen, stiff and painful.
The more joints that are painful and swollen, the more severe the disease may be, says Dr. Cush. Joint pain and swelling are characteristic signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatologists consider this a very important way to measure disease severity.
The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis often develop gradually over several weeks, but some cases can progress quickly over a number of days. The symptoms vary from person to person. They may come and go, or change over time. You may experience flares when your condition deteriorates and your symptoms become worse.
Balance Rest and Activity
But try not to stay in bed for more than a day or two. Spending too much time lying on the bed or sofa will make you stiff and increase your pain. Once you start to feel a bit better, get up, stretch, go for a walk, and continue with as many of your usual activities as possible.
“Most patients describe 'flare ups' as a sudden increase in pain, stiffness, and swelling of the joints of the body,” she notes. Other common RA flare up symptoms include limited joint mobility along with severe fatigue and symptoms that mimic the flu. Note that your symptoms' frequency and severity may vary.
Vitamin D can play a role is easing some of the symptoms related to rheumatoid arthritis, but it is by no means a panacea. You still need your medication and other forms of therapy to keep the disease under control.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Or your doctor may prescribe a type called a COX-2 inhibitor, such as celecoxib or etoricoxib. These medicines can help relieve pain while also reducing inflammation in the joints, although they will not stop rheumatoid arthritis getting worse over time.
There are more than 100 types of arthritis and related diseases. Two of the most common types are rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). OA is more common than RA. Both involve inflammation in the joints, but RA causes much more inflammation.
Decades ago, pain was part and parcel for people living with RA, but thanks to advances in treatment, a growing number of treatment options, and a “treat-to-target” approach among rheumatologists, living relatively pain-free is a real possibility for many people with RA.
A person with RA may feel intense pain in their joints during flares. This may feel like sustained pressure, a burning sensation, or a sharp pain. However, people with RA may also experience periods of remission when they feel few to no symptoms. In addition to causing pain in the joints, RA can affect the whole body.
Rest and exercise
During a flare it is important to 'pace' your activities. You will need to plan your day taking into consideration your increased tiredness. Short rests in between activities may be needed but it is advisable to keep your joints moving. This will help prevent stiffness and maintain muscle tone.
It's important to try to stay physically active even during a flare, but rest is also especially important when RA is active and joints feel painful, swollen or stiff. Rest helps reduce inflammation and fatigue that can come with a flare. Taking breaks throughout the day protects joints and preserves energy.
Try to get plenty of rest during a flare-up, when your joints can be particularly painful and inflamed. Putting further strain on very swollen and painful joints can often make the pain and inflammation worse.
It's possible to live a long life with RA, but it is estimated that the disease can potentially reduce life expectancy by 3 to 10 years.
Many people can live a healthy, active life with RA. For example, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) have become an effective and widely available medication for people with RA. These drugs work by suppressing the immune system and minimizing the damage that it does to joint tissue.
Is rheumatoid arthritis considered severe? Yes, RA can be severe. That's because it is a chronic autoimmune disease that progresses as you age. Stage 3 RA is considered severe because the damage extends from the cartilage to the bones, causing increased pain, swelling, mobility loss, and deformity.
A level above 20 suggests the possibility of RA. As with rheumatoid factor, some people with positive anti-CCP antibody will not have RA, but this test is somewhat more specific for RA than the rheumatoid factor.
Overexertion, poor sleep, stress or an infection like the flu can all set off RA symptoms. With a predictable flare you'll temporarily feel worse, but your symptoms will resolve in time. Unpredictable flares have more uncertainty associated with them.