Health & Fitness

Flushing Hospital Medical Center: Rheumatoid Arthritis And Lung Disease

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease that primarily attacks joints.

Press Release Desk, News Partner

Press release from Flushing Hospital Medical Center:

October 26, 2021

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease that primarily attacks joints.

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Although RA mostly causes damage to joints, it can also affect other parts of the body such as the lungs.

Lung problems that can occur as a result of RA include:

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  • Bronchiectasis (Damage to the airways)
  • Interstitial lung disease (Inflammation and scarring of lung tissue)
  • Pleural disease (Buildup of fluid in the chest cavity)
  • Lung nodules (Small growths or lumps in the lungs)
  • Pulmonary hypertension (High blood pressure in the lungs)

    • The symptoms of rheumatoid lung disease vary but may include:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Dry cough
  • Fatigue
  • Weakness
  • Fever

    • According to the Arthritis Foundation, “The risk of developing lung disease is eight times higher in people with RA than in the general population.”  Other risk factors for rheumatoid lung disease are:

  • Smoking
  • Age (People diagnosed with RA after the age of 60 are at greater risk)
  • Sex (Men are more likely to develop rheumatoid lung disease than women)
  • High RA disease activity
  • Undertreated RA

    • The cause of lung disease associated with RA is unknown; however, there are several things you can do to protect lung health.  Here are a few:

  • Receive early treatment for rheumatoid arthritis
  • Avoid smoking or secondhand smoke
  • Exercise regularly
  • Avoid toxic fumes
  • Get the flu and pneumonia vaccine

    • If you are experiencing breathing problems or symptoms associated with rheumatoid lung disease, contact your doctor.

    To schedule an appointment with a doctor at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5486.

     

     

     

     

    All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

    This press release was produced by Flushing Hospital Medical Center. The views expressed here are the author’s own.

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