Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lung Disease: What’s the Connection?

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects joints. Your immune system starts attacking normal joints, muscles, and bones. As a result, the joints wear and tear, causing chronic pain and inflammation. 

It might happen that the immune system not only affects joints but also other organs of the body. The vital organs, such as the lungs, can also develop complications due to rheumatoid arthritis. 

So, if you have rheumatoid arthritis and are experiencing lung diseases then both might be interlinked. In this article, we will discuss rheumatoid lung disease and possible treatment options.

Rheumatoid Lung Disease

Rheumatoid lung disease is caused when the immune system affects the lungs adversely. This complication is susceptible when you ignore your rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and the illness remains untreated for a long time. 

According to the Arthritis Foundation, 10% of the patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis also suffer from rheumatoid lung disease. The lungs can be affected in many ways so the treatment also depends upon the type of lung disease and how it has affected your lungs. Your lungs might develop lung nodules or lungs might be affected due to fluid retention. 

So let’s look into the types of lung diseases that are caused by rheumatoid arthritis to get proper treatment.

Types of lung diseases caused by rheumatoid arthritis 

Pleural disease 

Pleura is the tissue layer that surrounds the lungs from the outside. The inflammation of this pleural tissue due to RA can make it thick and vulnerable. The fluid starts accumulating between the layers of pleural tissue, causing fatigue, fever, and shortness of breath. This pleural effusion should be addressed immediately.

Scarring 

Long-term inflammation of the lungs can cause scarring that results in various complications such as shortness of breath and chronic dry cough. 

Lung nodules 

Lung nodules are formed due to the formation of lumps. These nodules are usually harmless and don’t cause lung cancer. There is a possibility, though it’s not common, that the long nodules rupture and cause lung collapse. 

Small airway obstruction 

The walls of the lungs might become thick due to long-term inflammation. Due to thick walls, the mucus starts retaining inside the lungs causing severe shortness of breath, congestion, cough, and fatigue. 

Symptoms of rheumatoid lung disease 

Some lung complications, like lung nodules, might not show symptoms at all. But other conditions show symptoms such as: 

• Shortness of breath 
• Dry cough 
• Difficulty in performing daily tasks 
• Loss of appetite 
• Unexplained weight loss

Risk factors

Not all patients suffering from RA develop lung diseases. There are certain risk factors such as: 

• Gender. Men are more likely to develop rheumatoid lung disease than women. 
• Smoking. Cigarette smoking already affects the lungs. If you have RA and smoke cigarettes then you might develop lung diseases in the future. 
• Age. People who are 50 to 60 are more likely to develop RA-related lung diseases. 

Treatment of rheumatoid lung disease 

The treatment solely depends upon which lung disease you have developed because of RA. Some conditions, like the formation of a single lung nodule, don’t need any treatment. But other conditions need immediate intervention. 

If there is any fluid retention then the fluid is drained out immediately. Other conditions are also treated based on their severity. You might need medications, oxygen therapy, and other interventions. So, contact your doctor ASAP to get proper treatment. 

READ ALSO: How to Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis in Fingers?

Control your rheumatoid arthritis and avoid complications 

If you keep your rheumatoid arthritis symptoms at bay with proper care and treatment then it’s possible to avoid complications such as rheumatoid lung disease. 

You should get proper treatment, follow home remedies, perform exercises, get help from a physical therapist, and take medications as and when required. 

If you want to get a treatment that: 

• Doesn’t involve medicines 
• Is completely non-invasive 
• Effective 
• Safe 

then you should consider laser therapy. Low-level laser therapy is practised around the world to treat various neuromuscular conditions. 

The cold laser beam penetrates the skin and stimulates natural healing and defence mechanisms. Rheumatoid arthritis patients can also be treated with laser pain therapy. The treatment involves a few sessions depending upon the severity of the disease. 

Bioflex Pakistan is a modern pain management clinic that is treating various neuromuscular conditions through laser pain therapy. The procedure is performed by experienced rheumatologists who have already treated many patients successfully. 

Visit BioFlex Pakistan now to get rheumatoid arthritis treatment, or first visit our treatment pages to know more about how laser pain therapy treats rheumatoid arthritis and helps you get better effects.