Rheumatoid Arthritis and Associated Anemia

Apparently rheumatoid arthritis is an ailment associated with joints. Nevertheless in fact it  falls in the group of autoimmune diseases and just starts from joints. Further it can affect any part of our body, like heart, eyes, lungs or blood vessels. Amongst the numerould problems RA can create, anemia is a major one. Approximately 60% of patients of RA are affected by anemia. 
Anemia is a disease during which the quantity of hemoglobin in our body lessens. Hemoglobin refers to protein which does the job of availability of oxygen to all organs of our body through blood. It is the basic constituent of red blood corpuscles and consists of iron. Anemia can manifest temporarily or can be caused due to certain other disorder or can be a chronic disease too. If anemia is mild, signs and symptoms may not appear or may be revealed not so critically. However severe anemia is revealed with signs and symptoms e.g. weariness, trouble in breathing and uneasiness while performing scheduled chores.  
The causes for the commonness of anemia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis are diverse. One of them is the inflammation which takes place during rheumatoid arthritis. Normally the inflamed tissues release proteins which influence metabolism of iron, and lower down making of bone marrow and erythropoietin. Erythropoietin the name of a hormone which is made by kidneys and influences the creation of red blood cells. So inflammation results into lessened level of red blood cells due to which our various tissues cannot have needed oxygen and we get weak. Normally, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis there is no sufficient iron existing. This is because of plenty of causes like menstrual release, hemorrhage in digestive tract or trouble in getting iron into the red blood cells from bone marrow. Bleeding inside digestive canal takes place owing to medications to treat rheumatoid arthritis such as NSAIDs and prednisone.
If the anemia associated with RA is left unheeded there is a possibility of grave worsening in both the conditions because of the occurence of each other. Studies point out that people battling both the diseases have critical kind of rheumatoid arthritis compared to patients suffering from only RA and not with anemia. The level of joint deterioration is higher in them and they also need more anti-inflammatory medications.
If you fighting with rheumatoid arthritis, you must get diagnosed if you suffer from anemia as well by consulting your doctor regarding your blood counts and alterations in hemoglobin details. Symptoms are seen when the anemia is moderate or severe. Signs and symptoms include headache, irritability, chest pain, troubled breathing, coldness or numbness of hands and feet, dizziness, pale skin, fatigue, tiredness and also increased heartbeat. A good thing is to keep in regular touch with your healthcare provider to test if anemia has occurred. 
It has been noted that the drugs used for treating rheumatoid arthritis are advantageous in diminishing signs and symptoms of anemia. Additionally medicines encouraging formation of red blood cells minimize symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis for example aching and swelling of joints. According to a scientific research some patients who were treated with a combination of therapy for rising iron amount and stimulating making of RBCs revealed elevated quality of life and muscle strength, and alleviated exhaustion. 
In connection with anemia too you have to keep in regular touch with your physician in order to make her or him find out which treatment may be useful for you for lightening your anemia.