Natural Health and Herbal Remedies Blog

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS AFFECTING THE BODY: HEART, STOMACH, SKIN AND NERVES  How can RA affect my heart?The tissue encasing the heart, or the pericardium, can get inflamed, causing some pain and discomfort. Most patients do not notice this, however. When rheumatoid nodules affect the heart-as they can in rare instances-the electrical system of the heart, the functions of the heart valves, and the actual heart muscle itself can be affected.
Can RA affect my stomach?Most of the complications involving the gastrointestinal tract are the result of drug therapy. The drugs used to treat arthritis can block the protective chemicals in the stomach and cause ulcers. Sometimes, however, the complication of dry mouth can be so bad that it can cause ulcers to form in the mouth.
What skin manifestations might I experience?Vasculitis, or inflammation of small blood vessels, is a common problem affecting rheumatoid arthritis patients. Vasculitis can cause the appearance of “snakelike” vessels on the skin that are quite tender to the touch. Rarely, it can cause ulcers to form on the heels, around the ankles, and on a person’s shin bones.
Can the drugs I take cause skin changes?They most certainly can cause problems in the skin. Some of the drugs used to treat the condition can cause large bruises on the skin. Small hemorrhage spots called petechiae can also develop.
How are the nerves affected in RA?The nervous system is very susceptible to problems because of RA. As mentioned above, entrapment syndromes are very common as a result of rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, vasculitis can develop in the covering of a nerve, causing a weakness or dysfunction of a limb or other part of the body that seems to be unrelated to other possible contributors, such as nerve compression or malpositioning of a limb. This can result in major problems if left untreated. In this particular case, the nerve might actually have to be biopsied.*15/141/5*

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