Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsRA and the BrainWhat HelpsRA on Brain ScansWhen to Get Help
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
RA and the Brain
What Helps
RA on Brain Scans
When to Get Help
About 38% to 71% of people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) experience brain fog, such as difficulty remembering, concentrating, and making decisions.Quality sleep, exercise, a healthy diet, and stress management are key to reducing brain fog. Whilevitamin B12is suggested for cognitive health, its benefits in RA remain uncertain.
Studies show people with RA have a 40% increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia.More research is needed to fully understand why, but long-term inflammation likely plays a part.Finding ways to reduce inflammation is crucial both for cognitive health and managing RA symptoms.
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How RA Affects the Brain
Brain fog, or cognitive dysfunction, is common in people with rheumatoid arthritis. Ongoing pain and inflammation from the disease can affect overall health and wellbeing in numerous ways.
Symptoms of Brain Fog with RASymptoms of brain fog with RA can include:Difficulty concentratingLoss of memoryConfusionTrouble with problem-solvingLack of energySleepinessMood swingsDifficulty communicatingFeelings of hopelessness
Symptoms of Brain Fog with RA
Symptoms of brain fog with RA can include:Difficulty concentratingLoss of memoryConfusionTrouble with problem-solvingLack of energySleepinessMood swingsDifficulty communicatingFeelings of hopelessness
Symptoms of brain fog with RA can include:
What Helps With RA Brain Fog?
You might not be able to prevent brain fog if you have rheumatoid arthritis. However, there are things you can do to help cope with your symptoms:
Excessive intake of certain vitamins may do more harm than good, and some vitamins may interact with RA medications. For this reason, vitamins should always be taken in consultation with a healthcare provider.
Does Caffeine Help Brain Fog?Caffeine can temporarily enhance energy, focus, and alertness in some people. But it can also increase anxiety and disrupt sleep, which can worsen brain fog in the long run. Either way, caffeine should not be treated as a “fix” for brain fog. For those who enjoy caffeinated drinks, moderation is key.
Does Caffeine Help Brain Fog?
Caffeine can temporarily enhance energy, focus, and alertness in some people. But it can also increase anxiety and disrupt sleep, which can worsen brain fog in the long run. Either way, caffeine should not be treated as a “fix” for brain fog. For those who enjoy caffeinated drinks, moderation is key.
Does RA Show up on Brain MRI?
Yes, signs of rheumatoid arthritis can be seen on brain scans taken with magenetic resonance imaging (MRI). Researchers think long-term inflammation from RA might make blood vessels in the brain more permeable. This means that inflammatory cells can cross the blood-brain barrier more easily than usual.
Signs That RA Is Getting WorseYour RA may be getting worse if your joints are becoming increasingly swollen, stiff, and painful. RA flares may become more frequent and severe as the disease progresses. Reduced quality of sleep, mood changes, and loss of mobility can also mean there is increased inflammation in the body.
Signs That RA Is Getting Worse
Your RA may be getting worse if your joints are becoming increasingly swollen, stiff, and painful. RA flares may become more frequent and severe as the disease progresses. Reduced quality of sleep, mood changes, and loss of mobility can also mean there is increased inflammation in the body.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
See a healthcare provider if you are experiencing brain fog that:
You should also let your provider know if the brain fog started after recently beginning a new medication. Your provider will work with you to evaluate the underlying cause and create an appropriate plan to manage your symptoms.
Summary
Brain fog can develop as a result of increased inflammation in the brain. It can also be a side effect of common RA medications, chronic pain, and poor sleep. In some cases, RA inflammation can cause structural changes in the brain that can be seen on an MRI brain scan.
You may not be able to get rid of brain fog completely, but healthy lifestyle behaviors, such as an anti-inflammatory diet, and sometimes medication changes may help relieve symptoms.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Chaurasia N, Singh A, Singh I, Singh T, Tiwari T.Cognitive dysfunction in patients of rheumatoid arthritis.J Family Med Prim Care. 2020 May;9(5):2219–2225. doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_307_20Kodishala C, Hulshizer C, Kronzer V, et al.Risk factors for dementia in patients with incident rheumatoid arthritis: A population-based cohort study.J Rheumatol. 2023 Jan;50(1):48-55. doi:10.3899/jrheum.220200Basile M, Ciurleo R, Bramanti A, et al.Cognitive decline in rheumatoid arthritis: Insight into the molecular pathogenic mechanisms.Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Feb;22(3):1185. doi:10.3390/ijms22031185Zhou M, Xu R, Kaelber D, Gurney M.Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocking agents are associated with lower risk for Alzheimer’s disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.PLOS One. 2020 Mar;15(3):e0229819. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0229819Markousis-Mavrogenis G, Koutsogeorgopoulou L, Dimitriroulas T, et al.Is there a brain/heart interaction in rheumatoid arthritis and seronegative spondyloartropathies? A combined brain/heart magnetic resonance imaging reveals the answer.Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2020 Jun;22(8):39. doi:10.1007/s11926-020-00922-7Barbé-Tuana F, Funchal G, Schmitz C, Maurmann R, Bauer M.The interplay between immunosenescence and age-related diseases.Semin Immunopathol. 2020;42(5):545–557. doi:10.1007/s00281-020-00806-zArthritis Foundation.RA’s effect on the brain.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Physical activity and arthritis.Yunsoo S, Do Hun L, Won C.Association between vitamin B12 levels and cognitive function in the elderly Korean population.Medicine. 2020 Jul;99(30):e21371. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000021371American Medical Association.What doctors wish patients knew about the impact of caffeine.Zdravkova T, Tsvetkova S.MRI brain findings in rheumatoid arthritis: A review of the literature. 2021 May;29(1):59-72. doi:10.35465/29.1.2021.pp59-72Hospital for Special Surgery.11 red-flag signs your rheumatoid arthritis may be getting worse.
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Chaurasia N, Singh A, Singh I, Singh T, Tiwari T.Cognitive dysfunction in patients of rheumatoid arthritis.J Family Med Prim Care. 2020 May;9(5):2219–2225. doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_307_20Kodishala C, Hulshizer C, Kronzer V, et al.Risk factors for dementia in patients with incident rheumatoid arthritis: A population-based cohort study.J Rheumatol. 2023 Jan;50(1):48-55. doi:10.3899/jrheum.220200Basile M, Ciurleo R, Bramanti A, et al.Cognitive decline in rheumatoid arthritis: Insight into the molecular pathogenic mechanisms.Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Feb;22(3):1185. doi:10.3390/ijms22031185Zhou M, Xu R, Kaelber D, Gurney M.Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocking agents are associated with lower risk for Alzheimer’s disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.PLOS One. 2020 Mar;15(3):e0229819. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0229819Markousis-Mavrogenis G, Koutsogeorgopoulou L, Dimitriroulas T, et al.Is there a brain/heart interaction in rheumatoid arthritis and seronegative spondyloartropathies? A combined brain/heart magnetic resonance imaging reveals the answer.Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2020 Jun;22(8):39. doi:10.1007/s11926-020-00922-7Barbé-Tuana F, Funchal G, Schmitz C, Maurmann R, Bauer M.The interplay between immunosenescence and age-related diseases.Semin Immunopathol. 2020;42(5):545–557. doi:10.1007/s00281-020-00806-zArthritis Foundation.RA’s effect on the brain.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Physical activity and arthritis.Yunsoo S, Do Hun L, Won C.Association between vitamin B12 levels and cognitive function in the elderly Korean population.Medicine. 2020 Jul;99(30):e21371. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000021371American Medical Association.What doctors wish patients knew about the impact of caffeine.Zdravkova T, Tsvetkova S.MRI brain findings in rheumatoid arthritis: A review of the literature. 2021 May;29(1):59-72. doi:10.35465/29.1.2021.pp59-72Hospital for Special Surgery.11 red-flag signs your rheumatoid arthritis may be getting worse.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Chaurasia N, Singh A, Singh I, Singh T, Tiwari T.Cognitive dysfunction in patients of rheumatoid arthritis.J Family Med Prim Care. 2020 May;9(5):2219–2225. doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_307_20Kodishala C, Hulshizer C, Kronzer V, et al.Risk factors for dementia in patients with incident rheumatoid arthritis: A population-based cohort study.J Rheumatol. 2023 Jan;50(1):48-55. doi:10.3899/jrheum.220200Basile M, Ciurleo R, Bramanti A, et al.Cognitive decline in rheumatoid arthritis: Insight into the molecular pathogenic mechanisms.Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Feb;22(3):1185. doi:10.3390/ijms22031185Zhou M, Xu R, Kaelber D, Gurney M.Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocking agents are associated with lower risk for Alzheimer’s disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.PLOS One. 2020 Mar;15(3):e0229819. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0229819Markousis-Mavrogenis G, Koutsogeorgopoulou L, Dimitriroulas T, et al.Is there a brain/heart interaction in rheumatoid arthritis and seronegative spondyloartropathies? A combined brain/heart magnetic resonance imaging reveals the answer.Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2020 Jun;22(8):39. doi:10.1007/s11926-020-00922-7Barbé-Tuana F, Funchal G, Schmitz C, Maurmann R, Bauer M.The interplay between immunosenescence and age-related diseases.Semin Immunopathol. 2020;42(5):545–557. doi:10.1007/s00281-020-00806-zArthritis Foundation.RA’s effect on the brain.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Physical activity and arthritis.Yunsoo S, Do Hun L, Won C.Association between vitamin B12 levels and cognitive function in the elderly Korean population.Medicine. 2020 Jul;99(30):e21371. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000021371American Medical Association.What doctors wish patients knew about the impact of caffeine.Zdravkova T, Tsvetkova S.MRI brain findings in rheumatoid arthritis: A review of the literature. 2021 May;29(1):59-72. doi:10.35465/29.1.2021.pp59-72Hospital for Special Surgery.11 red-flag signs your rheumatoid arthritis may be getting worse.
Chaurasia N, Singh A, Singh I, Singh T, Tiwari T.Cognitive dysfunction in patients of rheumatoid arthritis.J Family Med Prim Care. 2020 May;9(5):2219–2225. doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_307_20
Kodishala C, Hulshizer C, Kronzer V, et al.Risk factors for dementia in patients with incident rheumatoid arthritis: A population-based cohort study.J Rheumatol. 2023 Jan;50(1):48-55. doi:10.3899/jrheum.220200
Basile M, Ciurleo R, Bramanti A, et al.Cognitive decline in rheumatoid arthritis: Insight into the molecular pathogenic mechanisms.Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Feb;22(3):1185. doi:10.3390/ijms22031185
Zhou M, Xu R, Kaelber D, Gurney M.Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocking agents are associated with lower risk for Alzheimer’s disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.PLOS One. 2020 Mar;15(3):e0229819. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0229819
Markousis-Mavrogenis G, Koutsogeorgopoulou L, Dimitriroulas T, et al.Is there a brain/heart interaction in rheumatoid arthritis and seronegative spondyloartropathies? A combined brain/heart magnetic resonance imaging reveals the answer.Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2020 Jun;22(8):39. doi:10.1007/s11926-020-00922-7
Barbé-Tuana F, Funchal G, Schmitz C, Maurmann R, Bauer M.The interplay between immunosenescence and age-related diseases.Semin Immunopathol. 2020;42(5):545–557. doi:10.1007/s00281-020-00806-z
Arthritis Foundation.RA’s effect on the brain.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Physical activity and arthritis.
Yunsoo S, Do Hun L, Won C.Association between vitamin B12 levels and cognitive function in the elderly Korean population.Medicine. 2020 Jul;99(30):e21371. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000021371
American Medical Association.What doctors wish patients knew about the impact of caffeine.
Zdravkova T, Tsvetkova S.MRI brain findings in rheumatoid arthritis: A review of the literature. 2021 May;29(1):59-72. doi:10.35465/29.1.2021.pp59-72
Hospital for Special Surgery.11 red-flag signs your rheumatoid arthritis may be getting worse.
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