8 Most Common Rheumatoid Arthritis Myths

When we think of regular arthritis it is probably osteoarthritis, which is a result of wear-and-tear or injury on aging joints. Osteoarthritis affects middle-aged and older people.

Conversely, rheumatoid arthritis is not caused by wear-and-tear. It's a chronic, progressive autoimmune disorder in which the bodys antibodies attack its own tissue. Rheumatoid arthritis affects mostly the joints, but can affect other body parts as well. These attacks can occur periodically in flare-ups, or they can be continuous.

Matthew Hoffman, MD for WebMD says that there is a common confusion between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis because people with rheumatoid arthritis often also have osteoarthritis.

Most people who develop RA get the disease between the ages of 30 and 55, according to Hoffman. But RA can affect people of any age, even though older people often have it more severely since theyve been living with the progressive disease longer.

MedlinePlus states that no one knows why certain people get rheumatoid arthritis. It could be anything, from genes, to environment, to hormones.

Many people tend to not take RA seriously because of how common it is. But a lot of joint damage can happen while you delay your doctors appointment for a few months, or even years. Left untreated, RA can threaten health and independence. It requires prompt diagnosis and regular treatment.

Hoffman warns that those with RA often also have cardiovascular and lung diseases, and tend to get more infections.

Since Rheumatoid Arthritis is a progressive disease, it can cause disability. However, doctors have made tremendous strides in treating the disease. Matthew Hoffman, MD states that a recent study shows that 94% of people with rheumatoid arthritis continued to perform all their normal activities independently, even after living with the disease for over 10 years.

This myth can be the most dangerous to RA patients since, according to Hoffman, delaying treatment can worsen the state of the disease down the road.

Ideally, treatment should start right after your diagnosis. Studies show that early treatment can delay full-blown rheumatoid arthritis from developing in some people. Medications do have their side effects, but rarely are the side effects worse than untreated RA. Serious side effects can be detected with simple blood tests and doctors visits.

People with rheumatoid arthritis are twice as likely to get lymphoma (blood cancer) than the general population. But even with the increased risk, only a small minority of people with RA get lymphoma. It is not clear why people with RA are at a slightly higher risk, but the overall risk remains low.

Medications may be to blame for the slightly higher risk of cancer; however one must weigh the risks and benefits. Untreated rheumatoid arthritis can be devastating, while lymphoma is uncommon, progresses slowly, and is treatable, Hoffman argues.

The chance of getting colorectal cancer, on the other hand, is actually reduced by up to 40% in people with RA. Anti-inflammatory medicines like aspirin and ibuprofen, commonly taken by RA sufferers, may help prevent cancer in the colon.

The truth is, joints affected by rheumatoid arthritis actually need stretching and exercising. Sometimes rest may be necessary, but generally those with RA should be exercising more, not less.

Feeling painful stiffness may make you want to avoid movement, but immobility sets up a vicious cycle. A joints strength and stability come in large part from the muscles surrounding it, so keeping your muscles healthy is essential.

Hoffman suggests that while high-impact exercise should generally be avoided, low impact aerobic exercise improves joint and overall health. Stretching, which requires minimal exertion, can help keep joints flexible.