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Living With Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Life Expectancy With Rheumatoid Arthritis
- It Can Cause Disability
- Physical Exercise
- Diet
- Famous People With Rheumatoid Arthritis
Life Expectancy With Rheumatoid Arthritis
Living with rheumatoid arthritis is not easy. It can become a silent companion that stays with you for life and sometimes greatly affects your daily routine.
There is some good news, however. Life expectancy for people with rheumatoid arthritis has improved significantly in recent years because mortality rates have decreased thanks to new therapies and more effective treatment plans that allow earlier diagnosis and timely care.
Even so, the disease is still associated with premature death, mainly because of complications that can affect the cardiovascular system.
Rheumatoid arthritis is considered one of the most severe joint and bone diseases because it can cause progressive structural damage to the joints and bones.
The main problem is that inflammation is not always limited to the joints. It can spread to:
- blood vessels,
- muscles,
- lungs,
- kidneys,
- heart,
- central and peripheral nervous system,
- eyes,
- and the blood-forming system.
As a result, people usually do not die directly from rheumatoid arthritis itself, but from the complications related to the disease.
There is also a rapidly progressive and more aggressive form of rheumatoid arthritis that can seriously worsen a patient’s quality of life.
It Can Cause Disability
Rheumatoid arthritis can lead to disability because it may cause joint deformities, chronic pain, and loss of joint function.
Simple daily activities such as:
- brushing your hair,
- buttoning a shirt,
- cooking,
- or cleaning the house
can become extremely difficult.
Work may also become challenging, especially in professions that require frequent hand use, such as surgeons, tailors, or artisans.
In Italy, around 25% of patients report difficulty enjoying their free time because of the disease, while others struggle at work. About 4% become completely disabled.
Early rheumatoid arthritis can cause early anatomical damage, which is linked to greater disability and increased mortality due to complications outside the joints. In some cases, life expectancy may be reduced by 3 to 10 years.
A person may qualify for disability benefits when their ability to work is reduced by more than 33%. This can provide financial assistance and healthcare support.
Physical Exercise
If you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, physical exercise is extremely important for maintaining joint mobility and muscle strength.
Intense exercise is not required. Instead, activity should be adapted to your symptoms and should not exceed the limits imposed by inflammation.
Recommended activities include:
- gentle stretching,
- strengthening exercises,
- walking,
- dancing,
- yoga,
- Tai Chi,
- and especially water exercises.
Exercising in water can be very beneficial because it reduces pressure on the joints.
Try to create a regular exercise routine during the week, even if sessions are short. Consistent moderate movement is often more helpful than occasional intense workouts.
If motivation is difficult:
- walk part of the way to work,
- use a step counter,
- and think of exercise as a form of self-care and medicine.
Benefits may include:
- reduced pain,
- better mobility,
- improved self-esteem,
- and greater independence.
Exercise should always be personalized and done in moderation.
Diet
Diet plays an important role in managing rheumatoid arthritis.
Being overweight or obese puts extra stress on the joints and may worsen:
- pain,
- swelling,
- and stiffness.
The recommended eating pattern is the Mediterranean diet, which includes:
- fruits,
- vegetables,
- whole grains,
- legumes,
- olive oil,
- fish,
- and lean proteins such as poultry.
It is recommended to reduce:
- red meat,
- processed foods,
- and packaged products.
Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich foods may also help, including:
- turmeric,
- nuts,
- beans,
- and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
Famous People With Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis affects about 1% of the world’s population, including several well-known public figures.
Italian actress Eleonora Giorgi began experiencing joint pain in her hands at age 37. The disease was not entirely unexpected, as both her father and grandfather also suffered from it. Today, after living with the condition for nearly 30 years, pain limits many of her movements and has spread to her feet as well.
Anna Marchesini became an important example for many patients. She suffered from an aggressive form of rheumatoid arthritis that caused severe hand deformities, yet she continued performing and spoke publicly about the illness until the end of her life.
Professional tennis player Caroline Wozniacki revealed that she had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis before the US Open 2018. Although the diagnosis was a shock, she found the strength and motivation to continue competing while receiving treatment, which has shown positive results.
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