Question: How much impact does stress have on arthritis?
Stress is often pointed out as an aggravator of illness, including arthritis. How does stress impact the disease?
Answer: Stress has been mentioned in the literature as a predisposing factor in developing rheumatoid arthritis. In addition to age, sex, education level, and socioeconomic status, psychosocial stress has been suggested as a trigger for active disease. Other arthritic conditions also are affected by stress. Too much stress can increase pain, and make it harder for people with arthritis to face the extra problems imposed by their disease. These problems may include medical expenses, changes in lifestyle, side effects from drugs, and concern about the future. Dealing with stress in a positive way can reduce pain and make one feel healthier, thus helping to reduce the extra demands of active arthritis. (Answer provided by the late Dr. Raymond Federman, aka Dr. Bones, who passed away on September 2, 2003. The care of his patients even in retirement was always his joy.)
