Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease characterized by flare-ups and periods of remission. It is a systemic disease and therefore can affect any part of the body. However, its effects are typically seen in the small joints of the fingers, wrists and feet. It is caused by inflammation of the synovial membranes of affected joints. Its symptoms include warmth, redness and swelling at the affected joints as well as joint pain. Certain diseases are associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
Sjogren's Syndrome
"The Cleveland Clinic Guide to Arthritis," by John Clough, states that Sjogren's syndrome may occur in people who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. It is a disease in which the tear glands and salivary glands are destroyed by the body's immune system. Dry eyes and a dry mouth are results of this syndrome. Other symptoms of this condition are itchy eyes, difficulty swallowing, loss of the ability to taste, mouth sores, fatigue and joint pain. Sjogren's syndrome was discovered by a Swedish eye surgeon named Henrik Samuel Conrad Sjogren.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The American Academy of Family Physicians reports that carpal tunnel syndrome may be caused by rheumatoid arthritis. It is a painful condition that affects a nerve located in the hands. Carpal tunnel syndrome is typically caused by performing repetitive movements with the hands, such as typing. In rheumatoid arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome occurs as a result of swelling and inflammation of tissues such as the tendons and ligaments in the wrist. The swollen tissues press against the median nerve and cause pain and other signs of carpal tunnel syndrome. Symptoms of this disorder are numbness and tingling in the hands and some fingers; pain in the palm, wrist or forearm; trouble gripping objects; and a weak thumb.
Rheumatoid Lung Disease
MedlinePlus, a website of the U.S National Medical Library, reports that rheumatoid lung disease is related to rheumatoid arthritis. Fluid in the chest, scarring of the lungs nodules and high blood pressure in the lungs are all rheumatoid lung diseases. The mechanism through which rheumatoid arthritis causes rheumatoid lung disease is currently unknown. However, drugs used to treat it may sometimes lead to lung disease. Symptoms of rheumatoid lung disease include pain in the chest, shortness of breath, fever, cough, joint pain, joint stiffness, swelling around the joints and skin nodules.
References
- MedlinePlus: Sjogren's Syndrome
- The American Academy of Family Physicians: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- "The Cleveland Clinic Guide to Arthritis"; John Clough; 2009
- MedlinePlus: Rheumatoid Lung Disease
