Arthritis Rheumatoid Arthritis Dealing With Rheumatoid Arthritis Inflammation By Aubrey Bailey, PT, DPT, CHT Aubrey Bailey, PT, DPT, CHT Aubrey Bailey, PT, DPT, CHT is a physical therapist with over 20 years of experience in a variety of healthcare settings. Learn about our editorial process Published on April 14, 2022 Medically reviewed by Anita C. Chandrasekaran, MD, MPH Medically reviewed by Anita C. Chandrasekaran, MD, MPH LinkedIn Anita Chandrasekaran, MD, MPH, is board-certified in internal medicine and rheumatology and currently works as a rheumatologist at Hartford Healthcare Medical Group in Connecticut. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Disease Progression Symptoms Management Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder that causes excess inflammation in the body. With this condition, your immune system attacks its own cells, mistaking them as "foreign" to your body. RA primarily causes inflammation in the joints but can also damage your internal organs. This condition affects around 1% of the world's population and is more common in women than men. This article discusses rheumatoid arthritis and the inflammation caused by this condition. ttsz / Getty Images Rheumatoid Arthritis and Inflammation Inflammation is the primary symptom of rheumatoid arthritis. Inflammation by itself is not bad. In fact, it helps your body fight off bacteria and viruses and heal injuries when they occur. However, with rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation is long-lasting and misdirected at your healthy cells. The exact cause of RA isn't clear. However, there are risk factors that can increase a person's chance of developing this inflammatory condition. These include: Age: RA can occur at any age, but most commonly develops between ages 30 and 60. Family history: Having family members with RA can increase your risk of developing this condition. However, it is not "passed down" from your parents—people can develop RA even if there is no family history. Genetics: People with certain (human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes are more likely to develop RA. Lifestyle factors: Smoking and obesity can both increase a person's risk of developing RA. Blood work is used to assess inflammation in the early stages of RA, specifically the presence of rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP (cyclic citrullinated peptide) antibodies, higher levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), and increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR or sed rate). Inflammation and Disease Progression Early on, inflammation from RA causes vague symptoms that are similar to ones caused by other illnesses or injuries. These can include: FatigueFeverJoint stiffness first thing in the morningGeneral muscle and joint achesLoss of appetiteDifficulty walking due to leg painJoint swelling As rheumatoid arthritis progresses, it typically attacks joints throughout the body. Rheumatoid arthritis affects multiple joints at the same time and causes joint damage on both sides of the body (symmetric joint involvement). This is different from osteoarthritis—a condition caused by "wear and tear" on your body that typically begins in one specific joint (asymmetric joint involvement). Joints Most Commonly Affected by RA RA often affects the following joints:HandsShouldersElbowsWristsToesAnklesKneesHips Symptoms Caused by Inflammation As RA progresses, inflammation causes significant damage to your joints. An inflamed joint is typically red, warm to the touch, and swollen. Chronic inflammation leads to the breakdown of cartilage (which provides padding between bones), ligaments (tissue connecting bone to bone), tendons (tissue connecting muscle to bone), and the bones themselves. Over time, chronic inflammation can cause your joints to become unstable and no longer function properly. Joint deformities—particularly in the fingers—also commonly occur with RA. While joint damage is the most visible sign of inflammation caused by RA, this condition also causes damage to organs, including the eyes, skin, heart, blood vessels, kidneys, liver, and lungs. Levels of inflammation fluctuate when you have RA. As a result, you'll feel better on some days, and worse on others. Periods of worsening symptoms are called flare-ups (or flares). How to Manage Inflammation From RA While there's no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, there are steps you can take to keep your inflammation under control. Medications The following types of medications are commonly used to treat inflammation caused by RA: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): These drugs are available over the counter and can be useful in treating mild to moderate symptoms of RA. Examples include Advil (ibuprofen), Aleve (naproxen), and Bayer (aspirin). Steroid medications: These are stronger anti-inflammatory medications that can be used when NSAIDs are not effective. Prednisone is commonly prescribed for RA. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs): These drugs target your overactive immune system rather than just decreasing inflammation. However, because DMARDs suppress your immune system, they can increase your risk of developing other illnesses or infections. Examples of DMARDs include Trexall (methotrexate), Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine), Arava (leflunomide), and Azulfidine (sulfasalazine). Biologics: These drugs help decrease inflammation by targeting the part of your immune system that destroys your joints. Biologics are given by injection or intravenous ( IV) infusion, while other RA drugs can be taken in pill form. They can also increase your risk of infection, similar to DMARDs. Almost everyone with RA will need long-term therapy with a DMARD and/or biologic. NSAIDs and steroids are only meant to control inflammation in the short term (less than three months). Joint Protection During periods of increased inflammation with RA, joint protection principles help reduce pain and pressure on your affected joints. See a physical therapist or an occupational therapist for individualized recommendations. Here are some general tips for protecting your joints: Rest: Whenever possible, rest the joints that are inflamed. Avoid aggravating activities—if you can't avoid them, take frequent rest breaks to decrease pressure on your joints. In some cases, wearing a splint on the affected joint can help reduce pain during a flare-up.Use larger joints: For instance, carry your purse or grocery bags in the bend of your elbow rather than holding the handles in your fingers.Make it bigger: Use thicker writing tools and look for cooking utensils with soft-foam built-up handles to reduce pressure on small joints in your fingers. Lifestyle Factors Lifestyle factors can increase pain with rheumatoid arthritis, and even trigger a flare-up. Making these changes can help: Pace yourself: Plan rest breaks into your day. Overusing your joints can lead to increased pain and stiffness. Reduce stress: High levels of stress can worsen RA symptoms. Incorporate stress management techniques into your daily schedule. These can include journaling, meditation, hobbies, or talking with a therapist. Stay active: While doing too much can make inflammation worse, staying active keeps you strong and mobile. Exercise at low to moderate intensity when you aren't experiencing a flare. Avoid activities that put a lot of stress on joints, such as jogging, and try activities that reduce pressure on your joints, such as swimming. Rheumatoid Arthritis Support and Resources Summary Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory condition that occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks its own structures. RA often affects joints throughout your body. Inflammation from RA leads to pain, stiffness, swelling, redness, and warmth in the affected joints. While there's no cure for RA, symptoms can be treated with medications, joint protection principles, and lifestyle changes. A Word From Verywell Living with rheumatoid arthritis can be stressful. However, keeping your inflammation under control can make daily activities significantly easier. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions and seek additional support. Talk to a therapist or counselor about ways to manage stress and cope with your diagnosis. See a physical therapist or occupational therapist for practical advice for making daily tasks easier on your joints. Frequently Asked Questions What causes inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis? Inflammation is your body's normal response to infection and injury. However, with RA, your body attacks its own tissues, causing excessive and long-lasting inflammation. How can I reduce inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis? Many medications help decrease inflammation caused by RA, including NSAIDs, DMARDs, biologics, and steroids. Resting the affected joints and wearing a splint during flare-ups can also help. Learn More: Ways to Reduce Inflammation From Arthritis What complications can RA inflammation cause? Inflammation from RA often causes pain, joint stiffness, swelling, and difficulty with daily tasks. Over time, RA can also damage other parts of your body, including the eyes, lungs, heart, skin, bones, and more. RA can also cause anemia, which is a reduced level of red blood cells. Learn More: What Are the Risks of Untreated Rheumatoid Arthritis? 6 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rheumatoid arthritis. Lin YJ, Anzaghe M, Schülke S. Update on the pathomechanism, diagnosis, and treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis. Cells. 2020;9(4):880. doi:10.3390%2Fcells9040880 Arthritis Foundation. How rheumatoid arthritis affects more than joints. Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Network. RA medications: Which medications are most effective for treating RA? University Hospitals. Joint protection for arthritis. Arthritis Foundation. How stress affects arthritis. By Aubrey Bailey, PT, DPT, CHT Aubrey Bailey is a physical therapist and professor of anatomy and physiology with over a decade of experience providing in-person and online education for medical personnel and the general public, specializing in the areas of orthopedic injury, neurologic diseases, developmental disorders, and healthy living. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit