7 Unexpected Things That Affect Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a mysterious condition that affects everyone differently. What’s more, even if you take your rheumatoid arthritis medications as prescribed, you might still suffer from joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. 

That’s because certain daily habits may exacerbate rheumatoid arthritis. Let’s look at some of the things that might be causing your RA pains and aches:

1. Vitamin D deficiency 

Vitamin D is vital for our bodies. The sunshine vitamin helps build strong and healthy bones, joints, and cartilage. However, lacking vitamin D might lead to muscle and skeletal pain in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

According to a review published in October 2020 by the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, vitamin D deficiency is a common problem among RA sufferers. What’s more, scientists have found that this deficiency has been related to more severe RA disease activity.

Sun rays stimulate the production of vitamin D, so aim to soak up some sun for 15 minutes every other day.  You can also get vitamin D from foods such as egg yolks, salmon and sardines, fortified milk products, and their fortified plant-based alternatives. If you still lack vitamin D, talk to your healthcare provider about vitamin D supplementation.

2. Pro-inflammatory diet 

You don’t have to follow a specific diet for rheumatoid arthritis, but it’s important to know foods that can worsen the condition. Avoiding or limiting certain types of fats and oils, sugar, and ultra-processed and refined foods, and eating more anti-inflammatory products is especially beneficial for RA sufferers.

Pro-inflammatory foods include fatty cuts of meat, packaged foods with hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils, and foods containing refined flours, empty starches, and added sugars. 

Consider adding more anti-inflammatory foods to your diet. These include wild salmon, anchovies, antioxidant-rich fruits, vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, avocado, nuts, and nut butter. Ginger and turmeric are two spices that possess powerful anti-inflammatory benefits, so consuming them to flavor dishes is a good idea as well. 

3. Excessive alcohol consumption 

Though there’s possibly no negative effect from alcohol consumption for rheumatoid arthritis itself, alcohol can interfere with certain RA drugs. Consider asking your doctor if you can consume alcohol. And if you’re going to drink, just don’t overdo it. If you have questions about how much alcohol you can consume, your physician can provide specific guidance.

4. Pregnancy 

Sometimes rheumatoid arthritis can improve during pregnancy. That could be due to hormonal fluctuations. However, if you're pregnant or are planning to have a child, talk with your doctor first. Certain RA meds like methotrexate can lead to serious birth defects and should be stopped months before you start trying to get pregnant.

5. Smoking 

Scientists suggest that those who smoke are at higher risk for rheumatoid arthritis and possibly even a more severe form of rheumatoid arthritis. According to a study published in December 2020 on the issues of Preventive Medicine Reports, smokers and former smokers who are over 50 years are more likely to be diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis than those who don’t smoke. 

6. Extra weight 

Carrying extra pounds is a bad thing for people with rheumatoid arthritis. This puts extra stress on the weight-bearing joints like the knees and hips. Obesity can also worsen other RA-related health issues. 

The last thing you may want to do is exercise when you’re in pain. But don’t skip it. Keep moving with low-impact aerobic exercises like walking or swimming, and make adjustments to protect yourself if you need to. 

7. Weather changes 

If you notice that you experience more intense joint pain during weather changes, you’re not alone. Temperature drops and falling barometric pressure are related to increased joint pain. 

You can’t change the weather, but you can be prepared. Plug in your zip code to predict your level of joint pain for the day based on the weather through a tool on the Arthritis Foundation website.

The Bottom Line

Knowing your triggers can help you manage your RA more effectively as well as make you feel way better. If you take your meds as prescribed and avoid triggers, but still suffer from severe RA symptoms, it’s time to visit a pain doctor who will help you find other ways to relieve your pain.