What is Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)?
RA is an autoimmune disease that causes pain and swelling of the joints. The immune systems role is to fight infection to keep you healthy, but sometimes your immune system can attack your own healthy tissues by mistake.
In RA, the immune system targets the lining of joints, causing inflammation and joint damage. RA usually affects smaller joints (hands and feet) but can affect any joint such as hips, knees, shoulders, jaw and other tissues (eyes, heart, blood vessels, blood, lungs, kidneys, skin, salivary glands).
There is no cure for RA however, with early diagnosis and treatment people with RA can lead full and active lives.
What Causes RA?
Researchers aren’t sure why people develop RA. They believe these individuals may have certain genes that are activated by a trigger in the environment, such as a virus or bacteria, physical or emotional stress or some other external factor.
What are the Most Common Symptoms of RA?
- Swollen, hot, painful joints
- Joint stiffness worse in the mornings or after inactivity
- Same joints on both sides of the body are affected
Other symptoms may include fever, fatigue, brain fog, loss of appetite, skin rash, dry mouth and or eyes.
How is RA Diagnosed?
A GP generally will perform a physical exam, take a medical history, order blood tests and any relevant imaging then refer you to a Rheumatologist who specialises in diagnosing and treating autoimmune dieases, arthritis, and other diseases of the bones, joints, and muscles.
Physical exam: looking at joints and skin, listening to the lungs, feeling the abdomen; examining the eyes.
Medical history: asking about symptoms, what makes them worse or better, when they started and any family history.
Blood tests: Inflammatory markers: C-Reactive Protein (CRP) ; Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate(ESR); Antibody screening: Rheumatoid Factor(RF); Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide(CCP)
Imaging tests: X-Rays, ultrasounds, MRI
How is RA Managed?
Medicines: Modern medicines for RA can reduce inflammation, decrease pain and stiffness and prevent joint damage.
Team Based Care: Your care is likely to involve many different healthcare professionals, although how this will work will vary from person to person. If you attend a clinic in a public hospital, most of your team-based care will be organised through the clinic.
More people will see a private rheumatologist. In this situation, your GP may coordinate most of your care. They will communicate with your rheumatologist and arrange many of your tests and prescriptions. They may also refer you to allied health workers, such as a physiotherapist or occupational therapist (OT), for support in the home or community.
Counselling: Many people find that counselling can help when dealing with the emotional aspects of RA. A psychologist or social worker may also be an important person in your
healthcare team.
Exercise, healthy eating and lifestyle: One of the best things you can do for yourself is get some
exercise every day. You can also play an active role by not smoking, reducing stress, and eating a healthy diet.
Surgery: In some cases your doctor may recommend surgery – such as an arthroscopy or joint replacement.
What are Flares?
A flare is a period when RA symptoms worsen. This can be the result of triggers such as overexertion, stress, infection or poor sleep or the natural progression of the disease. How you experience a flare may vary depending on the type of arthritis you have and the trigger. Some triggers may be obvious. Flares can vary in intensity, duration and frequency, but they’re usually reversible — if treated promptly.
For some people, flares are an inevitable part of the arthritis journey. Although flares can be difficult to predict, there are some things you can do to reduce their number and minimize long-term damage. You can also make a flare plan with your rheumatology team.
If your symptoms are severe or last for more than a few days then contact your rheumatologist, who can prescribe additional medications or alter your regular medications until the flare subsides.
Want to Learn More About RA?
Rheumatoid Arthritis Booklet https://arthritisaustralia.com.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Rheumatoid-Arthritis-WEB-2019-1-Mar21-Update.pdf
Rheumatoid Arthritis Fact Sheet https://arthritisaustralia.com.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/4042-AA-Info-Sheet-Rheumatoid-arthritis-AA010-02-24-ISS1-1.pdf
MyRA https://myra.org.au/
Rheumatoid Arthritis Consumer care Guide https://arthritisaustralia.com.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/RA-consumer-care-guide-ARA-endorsed.pdf
Taking Control of your Rheumatoid Arthritis https://arthritisaustralia.com.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Rheumatoid-Arthritis-WEB-2019-1-Mar21-Update.pdf
Arthritis ACT Support Groups:
RA/Sjogren’s Support Group (contact us for details)
Young Women’s Autoimmune Support Group (closed Facebook group, contact us for details)
