Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms in women

Rheumatoid arthritis affects more women than men, and female hormones may play a role in the onset of the disease. The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are mostly the same for men and women, but there are key differences in when and why they first appear.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) causes the joints to become inflamed, which can lead to a range of symptoms, such as pain and stiffness. These symptoms can affect many areas of the body.

RA affects every person differently, but it is common for the symptoms to come and go. People with this condition tend to experience flare-ups, when their symptoms are worse, and remissions, when the disease is more manageable.

It is not clear what causes RA, but there are environmental and genetic risk factors, which include being overweight and smoking. Hormonal factors are likely to contribute too as around 75 percent of people who have RA are women.

In this article, we look more closely at the symptoms of RA in women and explain how these may vary at different stages of life.

RA symptoms

Women tend to develop RA at a younger age than men, with symptoms typically appearing between the ages of 30 and 50.

The symptoms of RA can affect many different parts of the body. The most commonly affected areas include those below:

Joints

RA symptoms often affect the smallest joints, such as the joints in the fingers.

The main symptoms of RA include pain, aching, and stiffness in the joints. These typically begin in the smaller, peripheral joints in the body, such as those in the fingers and toes. RA is a symmetrical disease that affects both sides of the body.

It is common for many people’s finger, toe, knee, ankle, or elbow joints to feel stiff, particularly at the start of the day. However, if the stiffness lasts for longer than 30 minutes, it may be an early symptom of RA.

Later-stage symptoms of RA include swelling and redness around the affected joints. The joints may feel tender to touch, and moving them may be challenging and painful.

Skin

Around 20 percent of women who have RA may develop rheumatoid nodules. These are firm, raised lumps underneath the skin.

Nodules often appear on areas of the body where there is pressure on the skin, such as the elbows.

Eyes and mouth

RA can cause the eyes and mouth to become dry and irritated. This irritation can also affect the gums, which may be more at risk of infection.

The disease can also lead to light sensitivity and vision changes.

Lungs and heart

The lungs can become inflamed or scarred in people with RA, which can lead to breathing difficulties. Inflammation can also affect the heart and blood vessels.

Inflammation around the heart can cause pain in the chest or fever, while inflamed blood vessels can damage the skin or organs.

Whole body

RA can cause other physical symptoms, such as weight loss, limited joint motion, and muscle weakness.

The disease can also have an impact on mental health and well-being. People with RA have a higher risk of fatigue and depression.

SOURCE:  medicalnewstoday.com