In one study of rheumatoid arthritis sufferers, participants were asked directly if weather affected their condition. And, perhaps not surprisingly, many said that yes, in fact, it does. "A lot of people perceive weather as having an effect on their condition," says Ruthberg.
Some people with RA notice that their symptoms get worse during certain times of the year. Seasonal weather changes may trigger RA flares during the winter, spring, or summer months.
Just as the effects of weather vary, the best climate may not be the same for all people. But based on research, it appears that for most people with arthritis, a warmer, drier climate may be optimal, such as that in parts of Texas, Arizona, Nevada and the Eastern Sierra region of California.
For many people, arthritis symptoms seem to get worse in the summer months, and there's a good reason for that.
Certain foods and additives are believed to increase inflammation in the body, such as sugar, saturated fats, trans fats, omega-6 fatty acids, refined carbohydrates, monosodium glutamate (MSG), gluten, aspartame, and alcohol.
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.
The joint pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis is usually a throbbing and aching pain. It is often worse in the mornings and after a period of inactivity.
People describe it as being overwhelming and uncontrollable. They feel worn out and drained of energy, and sometimes even lose all interest in anything. It can increase the need for sleep and make it hard to concentrate or do anything.
Rheumatoid arthritis can be one of the most painful types of arthritis; it affects joints as well as other surrounding tissues, including organs. This inflammatory, autoimmune disease attacks healthy cells by mistake, causing painful swelling in the joints, like hands, wrists and knees.
Sun helps the body synthesize vitamin D, which is essential for bone health and a well-functioning immune system; vitamin D deficiency has been linked to autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Plus, sunshine boosts mood by raising levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain.
“If you notice that you cannot move your joints as much or as easily as before, even if you don't have swelling or pain, your RA may be getting worse,” says Dr. Ghosh. Changes in the way joints look or function, which do not improve with changes in RA treatment, can be a sign of disease progression, says Dr. Wallace.
Heredity and RA
"RA, like many autoimmune diseases, is quite heritable and unfortunately tends to cluster in families," says Hu. "Many genetic studies have gone into identifying genes that predispose individuals to the risk of RA."
People with RA have up to a 70 percent higher risk of any type of infection and as much as an 83 percent higher risk of an infection that requires hospitalization than their peers who don't have this autoimmune disease, suggests research published in Arthritis & Rheumatology.
Temperature plays a large role in the pain relief cycle, thus the use of air conditioning can in fact help elevate some of the symptoms of arthritis.
No blood test can definitively prove or rule out a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, but several tests can show indications of the condition. Some of the main blood tests used include: erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) – which can help assess levels of inflammation in the body.
Is Arthritis a Disability? Simply being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis does not qualify you for disability. However, if your ability to work is greatly affected or impaired by your condition, then with the proper documentation, you may be entitled to SSA disability benefits.
Complications of Rheumatoid Arthritis
This can also lead to problems such as depression and anxiety. RA can also affect many nonjoint parts of the body, such as the lungs, heart, skin, nerves, muscles, blood vessels, and kidneys. These complications can lead to severe illness and even death.
Side sleepers should lie on the side that is not painful and place a thick pillow under the arm of the painful shoulder to keep it elevated. Shift the shoulder back instead of letting it slump forward if possible. When back sleeping, place a pillow under each arm. This can also be helpful for elbow pain, says Picard.
The typical case of rheumatoid arthritis begins insidiously, with the slow development of signs and symptoms over weeks to months. Often the patient first notices stiffness in one or more joints, usually accompanied by pain on movement and by tenderness in the joint.