Rheumatoid arthritis: Overview, Blood tests and Complications

Understanding Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic inflammatory disorder, is a condition that affects your many joints including hand, feet, hips, legs, etc. The body's immune system is a well-known fighter for foreign invaders including bacteria and viruses but when a person gets rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system begins to attack its tissues including joints. In critical cases, it may also hit internal organs.

When rheumatoid arthritis attacks your joint linings, it causes painful inflammation or swelling. With time, the swelling or inflammation connected with rheumatoid arthritis may lead to bone erosion and joint deformity. There is no permanent treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, however, physiotherapy and medication can reduce the progression of the disease. People with rheumatoid arthritis may get few symptoms including joint stiffness, lumps or redness, pain in the joints, muscles, and back, flare, dry mouth, and sensation of pins and needles.

Blood tests for Rheumatoid Arthritis

A healthcare provider or doctor will start diagnosing your Rheumatoid Arthritis Test and other inflammatory conditions, after examining your symptoms and the completion of several blood tests, imaging studies, and physical examination. Common blood tests for rheumatoid arthritis include

Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP)Rheumatoid factor (RF)Antinuclear antibodyC-reactive protein (CRP)Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)Human leukocyte antigen tissue typingLyme serologyUric acidHLA-B27Creatine Kinase (CK)ComplementCryoglobulins

Complications of Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis not only affects your joints but also causes problems in your eyes, lungs, skin, heart, blood vessels, and other organs. Complications of rheumatoid arthritis include effects on the skin, eye complications, pain in the neck, heart and blood vessel disease, blood disease, lung problems, osteoporosis, diabetes, infections, and emotional effects such as depression.

These severe complications can impact your overall general health. You should talk to your doctor immediately if you feel symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Your doctor may do a combination of blood tests to figure out your rheumatoid arthritis. Diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid should begin before the beginning of serious complications.