K.N.O.W. Home Health - RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITS

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease that causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in your joints. It is not the same as normal arthritis that happens from aging or wear and tear.

RA is an autoimmune disease, which means your immune system attacks your own joints by mistake. It can cause damage to your joints if not treated early.

RA usually affects the hands, wrists, knees, ankles, and feet, and it can happen on both sides of the body at the same time.

✅ What Causes RA?

The exact cause is not known, but these things may increase your risk:

Having a family history of RA
Being a woman (RA is more common in women)
Smoking
Infections or hormone changes
Problems with the immune system

RA is not caused by injury or overuse like some other joint problems.

✅ Treatment for RA

RA cannot be cured, but treatment can help manage symptoms and prevent joint damage.

Treatments may include:

Medicines to reduce swelling and pain (like NSAIDs or steroids)
DMARDs (Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs) to slow the disease
Biologics that work on the immune system
Physical therapy to keep joints moving
Exercise and rest
Healthy eating and stress management

Starting treatment early is very important to stop joint damage.

✅ How to Reduce Symptoms and Flares

You can feel better and reduce flare-ups by:

Taking your medicine exactly as told
Getting enough rest and sleep
Doing gentle exercise and stretching
Eating healthy foods (like fruits, veggies, lean meats)
Not smoking or drinking too much alcohol
Keeping a healthy weight
Using hot or cold packs to ease pain
Avoiding stress

✅ When to Call the Home Health Nurse or Doctor

Call your home health agency or doctor if:

Your joint pain or swelling gets worse
You have trouble doing daily activities
You feel very tired or weak
You have side effects from your medicine
You feel sad or depressed often
You notice your hands or feet look different

✅ When to Call 911 or Go to the ER

Call 911 or go to the ER if:

You have chest pain or trouble breathing
You have sudden, severe joint pain and can’t move
You have a high fever and chills
You feel confused, dizzy, or faint
You think you are having a reaction to your medicine

PATIENT HOMEWORK/ASSESSMENT

Please read each statement and choose True or False:

True or False, rheumatoid arthritis only affects one side of the body.
True or False, RA is a disease where the immune system attacks the joints.
True or False, joint swelling, stiffness, and pain are signs of RA.
True or False, RA is the same as arthritis caused by aging.
True or False, early treatment can help prevent joint damage.
True or False, women are more likely to get RA than men.
True or False, smoking may raise the risk of getting RA.
True or False, RA is caused by too much exercise.
True or False, DMARDs are medicines used to slow RA.
True or False, hot or cold packs may help reduce RA pain.
True or False, you should stop taking your medicine if you feel better.
True or False, gentle stretching can help with stiffness.
True or False, stress has no effect on RA.
True or False, a healthy diet and weight can help control symptoms.
True or False, you should tell your doctor if you feel tired or weak often.
True or False, RA can cause long-term joint damage if not treated.
True or False, you should go to the ER if you have chest pain and RA.
True or False, biologic medicines help control the immune system in RA.
True or False, RA is an infection you can catch from someone else.
True or False, you should talk to your nurse or doctor if your joints look different.

ASSESSMENT of WELL-BEING INDIVIDUALIZED PATIENT HOMEWORK

Which joints are currently most affected by pain, swelling, or stiffness, and how does this impact your daily activities like dressing, cooking, or walking?

Do you notice your joint symptoms are worse at certain times of the day, such as in the morning or after periods of inactivity?

What medications or treatments are you currently using for your rheumatoid arthritis, and how effective are they in controlling your symptoms?

Have you experienced any new symptoms, such as fatigue, fever, or unintended weight loss, that may indicate a flare or complication?

ANSWER KEY

False – RA usually affects both sides of the body (like both hands or both knees).
True – RA is an autoimmune disease that attacks the joints.
True – Swelling, pain, and stiffness are the main symptoms.
False – RA is different from osteoarthritis caused by aging.
True – Starting treatment early can prevent joint damage.
True – RA is more common in women than men.
True – Smoking is a risk factor for RA.
False – RA is not caused by exercise or injury.
True – DMARDs are medicines used to slow the disease.
True – Heat or cold packs can help ease pain and swelling.
False – Never stop medicine without asking your doctor.
True – Stretching helps with stiffness and keeps joints moving.
False – Stress can make symptoms worse.
True – Eating well and keeping a healthy weight can help symptoms.
True – Feeling weak or tired often should be reported to your doctor.
True – Without treatment, RA can cause serious joint damage.
True – Chest pain could be an emergency and needs 911.
True – Biologic medicines help calm the immune system.
False – RA is not contagious and can’t be caught from others.
True – Changes in how joints look or feel should be reported.