Rheumatoid Nodules: Frequently Asked Questions

The presence of rheumatoid arthritis doesn't always just mean swollen, painful joints. The autoimmune disease is an inflammatory condition, meaning it can wreak havoc on many parts of the body, including the skin. This can take the form of rheumatoid nodules, bumpy growths under the skin that usually occur near an arthritic joint.

Who gets rheumatoid nodules?

Up to one-quarter of those who have rheumatoid arthritis develop nodules. In fact, it's the most common manifestation of the disease other than stiff, painful joints. Most arthritis patients who get the nodules are men, and it tends to occur in people with more severe arthritis. People with nodules are almost invariably rheumatoid-factor positive and experience multiple complications from the disease.

I was just diagnosed and I have no nodules. Does that mean I'm in the clear?

Unfortunately, no. Rheumatoid nodules tend to develop some time after diagnosis. However, they sometimes can be the first signs of arthritis.

How do I know if I have rheumatoid nodules?

Pay attention if you notice firm, painless lumps developing near afflicted joints. They tend to be the same color as your skin and can be quite small (the size of a pencil eraser) or fairly large (the size of a small piece of fruit). Fingers, forearms, back, and heels are common locations, and nodules on the heels or palms can be uncomfortable.

What's the treatment for nodules?

Most doctors favor leaving them alone. Typically they're benign, although they can become infected or gangrenous. In that case, you'll want them surgically removed. Rarely, doctors will inject a steroid into or just below the nodule to reduce it. Nodules can occasionally grow in the lungs and, while these usually pose no problems, they may rupture and cause collapse of the lung. Sometimes methotrexate, the biologic agent used to treat many cases of rheumatoid arthritis, can itself cause small nodules to form (this happens in about 8 percent of patients). In that case, prednisone or other medications may shrink the nodules.

Sources:

National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society, www.nras.org.uk

New Zealand Dermatological Society Incorporated, www.dermnet.org.nz

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Autoimmune Diseases: Frequently Asked Questions

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One might say that autoimmune diseases are cases of mistaken identity. In healthy people, the immune system works the way it should, by keeping out invaders such as viruses and bacteria. The immune system senses when something is foreign and should be gotten rid of. But in people with autoimmune disease, the immune system malfunctions and the body mistakenly attacks its own cells, causing a host of symptoms.

Yes. More than 23.5 million Americans have an autoimmune condition, of which there are more than 80 different types. Some are relatively common and some are quite rare.

Autoimmune diseases affect many different body parts, from major organs to tiny glands. Different autoimmune conditions affect different areas.

Women are much more likely than men to have autoimmune diseases. These often start when they reach childbearing age. But men and children get autoimmune diseases, too. Those with family histories are more likely to get certain autoimmune diseases. Doctors believe that a combination of the right genes and the right environmental triggers are responsible for many autoimmune conditions. Also, certain ethnic groups are more susceptible to certain conditions. For instance, white people are more likely than others to get type 1 diabetes, while African Americans and Latinos are more likely to be affected by lupus.

Because the symptoms of a single autoimmune condition can be extremely varied, patients often have to see several specialists in order to receive proper treatment. For instance, a person with rheumatoid arthritis would see a rheumatologist to treat the underlying inflammation causing the disease, but also might need to see an ophthalmologist several times a year due to the disease's risk of eye complications. Some rheumatoid arthritis patients experience rashes, so a good dermatologist might be a necessary part of the treatment team as well.

Generally, no. But they are treatable using a combination of medication, including pain relievers and immunosuppressants, and physical therapy. Many people with autoimmune diseases have a trusted self-care routine that helps minimize symptoms when the disease is active, or "flaring." In many cases, people with autoimmune diseases will experience quiet periods when the disease does not appear to be active. In a lucky percentage, these periods of remission can last for years.

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Source:

The National Women's Health Information Center
www.womenshealth.gov.  

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Autoimmune Diseases: Frequently Asked Questions

See what people are saying about this article on our Facebook page!

One might say that autoimmune diseases are cases of mistaken identity. In healthy people, the immune system works the way it should, by keeping out invaders such as viruses and bacteria. The immune system senses when something is foreign and should be gotten rid of. But in people with autoimmune disease, the immune system malfunctions and the body mistakenly attacks its own cells, causing a host of symptoms.

Yes. More than 23.5 million Americans have an autoimmune condition, of which there are more than 80 different types. Some are relatively common and some are quite rare.

Autoimmune diseases affect many different body parts, from major organs to tiny glands. Different autoimmune conditions affect different areas.

Women are much more likely than men to have autoimmune diseases. These often start when they reach childbearing age. But men and children get autoimmune diseases, too. Those with family histories are more likely to get certain autoimmune diseases. Doctors believe that a combination of the right genes and the right environmental triggers are responsible for many autoimmune conditions. Also, certain ethnic groups are more susceptible to certain conditions. For instance, white people are more likely than others to get type 1 diabetes, while African Americans and Latinos are more likely to be affected by lupus.

Because the symptoms of a single autoimmune condition can be extremely varied, patients often have to see several specialists in order to receive proper treatment. For instance, a person with rheumatoid arthritis would see a rheumatologist to treat the underlying inflammation causing the disease, but also might need to see an ophthalmologist several times a year due to the disease's risk of eye complications. Some rheumatoid arthritis patients experience rashes, so a good dermatologist might be a necessary part of the treatment team as well.

Generally, no. But they are treatable using a combination of medication, including pain relievers and immunosuppressants, and physical therapy. Many people with autoimmune diseases have a trusted self-care routine that helps minimize symptoms when the disease is active, or "flaring." In many cases, people with autoimmune diseases will experience quiet periods when the disease does not appear to be active. In a lucky percentage, these periods of remission can last for years.

See what people are saying about this article on our Facebook page!

Source:

The National Women's Health Information Center
www.womenshealth.gov.  

View the original article here

Autoimmune Diseases: Frequently Asked Questions

See what people are saying about this article on our Facebook page!

One might say that autoimmune diseases are cases of mistaken identity. In healthy people, the immune system works the way it should, by keeping out invaders such as viruses and bacteria. The immune system senses when something is foreign and should be gotten rid of. But in people with autoimmune disease, the immune system malfunctions and the body mistakenly attacks its own cells, causing a host of symptoms.

Yes. More than 23.5 million Americans have an autoimmune condition, of which there are more than 80 different types. Some are relatively common and some are quite rare.

Autoimmune diseases affect many different body parts, from major organs to tiny glands. Different autoimmune conditions affect different areas.

Women are much more likely than men to have autoimmune diseases. These often start when they reach childbearing age. But men and children get autoimmune diseases, too. Those with family histories are more likely to get certain autoimmune diseases. Doctors believe that a combination of the right genes and the right environmental triggers are responsible for many autoimmune conditions. Also, certain ethnic groups are more susceptible to certain conditions. For instance, white people are more likely than others to get type 1 diabetes, while African Americans and Latinos are more likely to be affected by lupus.

Because the symptoms of a single autoimmune condition can be extremely varied, patients often have to see several specialists in order to receive proper treatment. For instance, a person with rheumatoid arthritis would see a rheumatologist to treat the underlying inflammation causing the disease, but also might need to see an ophthalmologist several times a year due to the disease's risk of eye complications. Some rheumatoid arthritis patients experience rashes, so a good dermatologist might be a necessary part of the treatment team as well.

Generally, no. But they are treatable using a combination of medication, including pain relievers and immunosuppressants, and physical therapy. Many people with autoimmune diseases have a trusted self-care routine that helps minimize symptoms when the disease is active, or "flaring." In many cases, people with autoimmune diseases will experience quiet periods when the disease does not appear to be active. In a lucky percentage, these periods of remission can last for years.

See what people are saying about this article on our Facebook page!

Source:

The National Women's Health Information Center
www.womenshealth.gov.  

View the original article here