Rheumatoid arthritis is commonly thought of as a disease of the joints. While the inflammatory properties of this autoimmune condition do traditionally affect the joints, the disease takes its toll on other areas of the body as well. One of the places where rheumatoid arthritis may manifest itself is in the lungs, with some patients suffering from a condition known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
COPD is a fairly common lung disease that takes two forms. One is chronic bronchitis, which presents as a long-term mucus-filled cough, and the other is emphysema, which actually causes destruction of the lungs. Most people with COPD have a combination of chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Who typically gets COPD? Not surprisingly, smokers. But people with rheumatoid arthritis have been found to get COPD at higher rates than the general population, even after taking smoking out of the equation. The inflammation that is the hallmark of the disease can attack anywhere in the body. Unfortunately for some, the lungs are the target.
How do you know if you have COPD? Sometimes it's not obvious, as the disease can develop slowly. Pay particular attention to these symptoms:
- A cough that doesn't get better
- Fatigue
- Multiple respiratory infections
- Shortness of breath made worse by mild activity
- An inability to catch your breath
- Wheezing
Sometimes diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis patients with COPD takes awhile because RA patients often are less active than others and are less likely to suffer respiratory distress when they exert themselves physically. If COPD is suspected, however, diagnosing it is often as simple as having the patient blow hard into a small machine that tests lung capacity. This is known as spirometry. A stethoscope may or may not detect lung abnormalities. X-rays and CT scans can aid in diagnosis, but sometimes patients with COPD present normally on these tests.
If you have RA and COPD, you'll need to be extra vigilant about your lung health. COPD is not curable, but there are ways to manage it. If you smoke, stop immediately to prevent further lung damage. You also may need an inhaler to open your airways and an anti-inflammatory medication. Oxygen therapy may be required in severe cases.
Sources:
Johns Hopkins, http://www.hopkins-arthritis.org
National Institutes of Health, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
