One medical condition that can result in lymphadenopathy is known as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This is an inflammatory condition which first and foremost affects a person's synovial joints. It can also have an impact on various other parts of the body, though.

Symptoms

When joints are affected in a case of rheumatoid arthritis, they can swell, and also be impacted by stiffness and tenderness, etc. Due to this stiffness, there may be restriction in moving them. Pain is another issue that can hit the area of the of joints.

The patient's lungs can also be affected. Fibrosis of them is something that can occur in a case of RA. Due to inflammation that is chronic, the kidneys can also be affected, leading to what is known as renal amyloidosis. Additionally, there is a higher incidence of atherosclerosis amongst people with RA. The risk of heart attack is significantly higher, and the same can be said for that of stroke. Various other symptoms and complications can arise due to rheumatoid arthritis, with one example being peripheral neuropathy. Of course, lymphadenopathy is another thing that can show up.

Causes

The actual medical cause of rheumatoid arthritis is not known at this time. However, it is understood that there is an autoimmune factor. An autoimmune condition is one in which the individual's immune system attacks a part of the body. That aside, there are some things that are considered as associated or potentially linked to the development of RA. For instance, there appears to be a genetic factor. Using cigarettes may also be something that can lead to it.

Diagnosis

A doctor is the one who is to make a diagnosis of RA. MRI and ultrasound technology are a couple of the possible imaging methods that may be employed. Blood testing is also involved. Certain criteria can be used to attempt to determine whether a person has rheumatoid arthritis. There are various other medical situations that can appear similarly to RA, and a distinction may need to be made as to whether the patient is suffering from one of those instead. Examples of these are systemic lupus erythematosus and Lyme disease.

Treatment

Presently, no cure for RA is known. Despite this, there are various methods of treatment that can be used to reduce symptoms the patient experiences. Additionally, treatment options are available that can be used to try to alter the course of the disease. Talk with a doctor for details about treatment.

Continue reading on lymphadenopathy, including other causes that can be behind swollen lymph nodes.