Trouble Does Not Come Alone: Side Effects of Arthritis

28. Oktober 2025

2 Min. Lesezeit

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Rheumatoid arthritis can manifest itself not only with joint pain and movement problems but also with other, less obvious symptoms that people often don't even associate with the disease.

Wichtigste Erkenntnisse

Rheumatoid arthritis can manifest itself not only with joint pain and movement problems but also with other, less obvious symptoms that people often don't even associate with the disease.
Osteoporosis
Chest pain

Für wen das ist

Für alle, die Knochen und Muskeln über arthritis, osteoporosis erkunden.

Warum es wichtig ist

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Artikelautor

Dr. Vera

Leiter der Abteilung für Therapie

Osteoporosis

Both rheumatoid arthritis and the medications to treat it make bones more brittle, leading to frequent fractures. For this reason, people suffering from arthritis should pay special attention to preventing osteoporosis.

Chest pain

Rheumatoid arthritis negatively affects the cardiovascular system and increases the risk of atherosclerosis (narrowing of blood vessels due to cholesterol deposits) and pericarditis (inflammation of the heart lining). Chest pain is a common symptom of heart disease and a possible sign of a heart attack, so it should never be ignored.

Dry mucous membranes and skin

Another autoimmune disease that can join arthritis is Sjögren's syndrome. It causes dryness in the mouth, nose, eyes, vagina, or skin.

Eye problems

In some cases, one of the manifestations of arthritis is inflammation in the sclera of the eyes. The eyes become red, dry, and sore. Blurred vision may occur.

Deterioration of hearing

Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, can be a side effect of treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and pain medications. In addition, studies have proven that the risk of hearing loss is higher in people with rheumatoid arthritis than in their healthy peers. Generally, the elderly and those who have been living with the disease for many years are prone to this.

Fever

Rheumatoid arthritis medications weaken the immune system. Patients have a harder time fighting off infections, such as the flu. Mild fever is also a sign of worsening arthritis.

Mood swings

Pain, weakness, and limited movement often lead to anxiety, depression, and stress. All of these worsen the symptoms of arthritis. If mood changes begin to control your life, see a specialist.

Numbness or tingling

These symptoms are also sometimes seen in arthritis patients. This happens because the disease affects the small nerves in your hands or feet. Your hands and feet may feel numb or as if you are being pricked with needles. Rheumatoid vasculitis, which affects blood vessels, can also cause numbness, tingling, burning, or pain in the extremities.

Abdominal pain or digestive upset

Rheumatoid arthritis and the medications used to treat it often cause mouth ulcers, stomach bleeding, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, diverticulitis, and colitis. In addition, abdominal pain can be a sign of a rare complication of arthritis called rheumatoid vasculitis. Additionally, inflammation spreads to the blood vessels.

Breathing problems

Persistent coughing, difficulty breathing, and shortness of breath are signs of scarring in the lungs caused by inflamed tissue due to arthritis. Men, especially smokers or former smokers, are at risk.

Arthritis can cause inflammation in different parts of the body, and it is necessary to fight complications while taking into account the underlying disease.

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