Learning about the body’s chemistry can give understanding to what causes RA flares. Being mindful and taking care of oneself are two steps in the right direction.
Rheumatoid Arthritis flares are nothing to take lightly. Individuals with osteoarthritis—caused by the mechanical wear and tear on your joints—feel the condition in isolated parts of their body. People with rheumatoid arthritis feel an interconnected pain within their joints mirrored on both sides of the body.
Acute episodes take place making the pain a mysterious and formidable force and can overwhelm #RAWarriors and their lives. Understanding the biochemistry behind this autoimmune disease can empower and regain control.
What Happens in the Body during RA Flares
The autoimmune system of someone who has RA is unique. It attacks its own tissues causing inflammation. That’s right—when a virus or bacteria enters the body, the immune system releases cytokines to signal for the defense process. By way of macrophages, T-cells, and other immune cells, inflammation is sent to the infection site and attacks the invaders.
However, individuals with RA, experience a profound cytokine-release in which immune cells attack their tissue—the body makes a mistake. This significant event is known as a rheumatoid arthritis flare. How can it be prevented?
Physical and Emotional Overexertion Can Cause RA Flares
Intense exercise intentionally causes damage to the body. The body needs a significant amount of recovery time to repair the just-torn muscle fibers. There’s a lot of biochemical activity that happens after such a shock too. The medical community hypothesizes intense chemical releases from physical overexertion could cause RA flares—anecdotes support that.
Another acute chemical release is thought to cause RA flares—emotional releases. Interestingly, if typed in a web search “can a car accident cause ra flare”, it’s easy to find injury lawyers specializing in these types of cases. While the emotional state of an individual after a car accident is specific to the person, the takeaway is the chemicals released in the body after an emotional incident have and can cause RA flares.
The medical community is trying to further understand why chemical responses from abrupt circumstances trigger RA flare-ups. But, at least there’s the potential to minimize these life-altering episodes with the knowledge already in place.
Be a #RAWarrior While Taking It Easy
Being a #RAWarrior means fighting for a pain-free life. It’s accomplished by taking care. Workouts that overexert make the body more susceptible to RA flares. Emotional disarray achieves the same.
Yoga is a great lifestyle choice for those with rheumatoid arthritis. The gentle yet strengthening exercises bring muscle-building and stress-relief. Long walks also are an excellent choice—especially outside. The study Green Space and Stress: Evidence from Cortisol Measures in Deprived Urban Communities proves expanses of nature lowers stress levels as well as the meditative walking.
It’s possible to reduce RA flares with mindful choices and taking time for oneself. You got this.