How can arthritis affect you

Eating a highly processed diet is associated with increased obesity and insulin resistance, which could indirectly worsen arthritis symptoms. Gluten is a protein in grains—wheat, barley, and rye—and functions to provide the structure and texture of the grain products. Some preliminary research has found that a gluten-free diet has been associated with some improvements for rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and reduced inflammation. Studies also found an association that people who have celiac disease —an autoimmune disease that reacts to gluten—are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis.

Research shows that foods high in saturated fat, omega-6 fats, sugar, and salt could increase arthritis symptoms. Instead aim for a diet full of vegetables, fruit, omega-3s, and whole grains to help reduce inflammation in your joints.

Dealing with chronic inflammation? An anti-inflammatory diet can help. Our free recipe guide shows you the best foods to fight inflammation. Get yours today! NIAMS health information on arthritis. Updated April Associations between red meat intake and biomarkers of inflammation and glucose metabolism in women.

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Inflammatory links between high fat diets and diseases. Frontiers in Immunology. Innes J, Calder P. Omega-6 fatty acids and inflammation. Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids. High sodium intake is associated with self-reported rheumatoid arthritis: A cross sectional and case control analysis within the SUN cohort.

Low to moderate sugar-sweetened beverage consumption impairs glucose and lipid metabolism and promotes inflammation in healthy young men: a randomized controlled trial. Fructose induces the inflammatory molecule ICAM-1 in endothelial cells. Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. Resveratrol, potential therapeutic interest in joint disorders: A critical narrative review.

Alcohol quantity and type on risk of recurrent gout attacks: An internet-based case-crossover study. What you may notice: Vision loss, like a curtain coming over the eye. If an artery is blocked, vision loss of vision may be sudden and come and go.

If a vein is backed up, vision loss may happen slowly. What you can do: If an artery has been blocked, damage may be permanent and there is currently no known treatment to restore vision.

If a vein is backed up, laser surgery may help reduce swelling and restore vision. What it is: A group of eye conditions that result in damage to the optic nerve, which can cause vision loss. High pressure inside the eye is usually, but not always, the cause. The eye has a pump that keeps the eye inflated and circulates nutrients, explains Dr.

If you get inflammation in the valve, the eye pressurecan go up and cause glaucoma. In its early stages, glaucoma has no symptoms. Who it affects: Those with ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis and other types of inflammatory arthritis. Glaucoma also can be a side effect of corticosteroid therapy for arthritis.

What you can do: Regular eye exams can identify the problem early and improve prognosis. Treatment for glaucoma involves one or a combination of eye drops to reduce pressure in eye. The best way to prevent glaucoma related to corticosteroid therapy is to work with your doctors to minimize corticosteroid use, taking the lowest doses for the shortest time possible to produce desired results.

What you may notice: Cloudy or blurry vision, poor night vision, colors that seem faded. In particular, genetic variations common in people with RA, ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis increase the risk of eyeball inflammation.

Taking oral or topical steroids also increases the risk. What you can do: Cataracts can be treated with surgery, in which the cloudy lens is removed and replaced with an artificial lens. Get involved with the arthritis community. Every gift to the Arthritis Foundation will help people with arthritis across the U. Join us and become a Champion of Yes. There are many volunteer opportunities available. Scleritis symptoms can appear as continuously red eyes despite using eye drops , deep eye pain and light sensitivity.

Scleritis can be dangerous because an injury to the eye may cause the thinning eyeball to split open. Uveitis is another arthritis-related eye condition. This is when the uvea —the layer of tissue between the retina and sclera, including the iris —becomes inflamed. Eye pain, light sensitivity and blurry vision are symptoms of uveitis.

Steroid medicine may help control scleritis and uveitis inflammation. Some people with arthritis may develop glaucoma. This happens when inflammation affects the part of the eye that helps drain fluid. Glaucoma can also develop as a side effect of corticosteroid use for arthritis treatment. Glaucoma has no symptoms in its early stages. Eventually, you might see colored halos around lights. Things will look blurry or you will notice blank spots in your field of vision. Eye drop medication can help reduce eye pressure.

The pain and discomfort of RA can make it difficult to sleep. RA may lead to extreme fatigue and a lack of energy. In some cases, RA flare-ups can cause flu-like symptoms such as:. Early diagnosis and treatment may help slow the progression of RA. Disease-modifying medications, symptom relievers, and lifestyle changes can also greatly improve your quality of life. Patient advocate and blogger Leslie Rott shares why the invisibleillnessawareness campaign matters to people living with rheumatoid arthritis.

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Learn more about the stages of rheumatoid arthritis, along with treatment…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Effects of Rheumatoid Arthritis on the Body. Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph. Share on Pinterest. The effects of rheumatoid arthritis on the body.