Does rheumatoid arthritis cause heat intolerance?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) causes pain, inflammation, and swelling in the joints. Some people with RA report experiencing heat intolerance, although it is not a common symptom.
A person with heat intolerance has an unusual sensitivity to heat and may feel hot when others find the temperature comfortable.
Heat intolerance has several possible causes. Medical experts do not typically associate it with RA, even though some people with RA report heat intolerance.
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Rheumatoid arthritis and heat intolerance
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RA is an autoimmune inflammatory disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells. This can lead to painful joint inflammation and damage to joint tissue over time.
RA
autoimmune
immune system
joint inflammation
Some people with RA and other types of inflammatory arthritis report feeling unusually hot. Some describe their heat intolerance as constant, while others report intense flashes of heat that may worsen during arthritis flare-ups.
report
flashes of heat
Heat intolerance is an unusual sensitivity to heat that can show up differently from person to person. Someone with heat intolerance may feel very hot even in moderate temperatures or have extreme physical reactions to warm weather, such as excessive sweating and dizziness.
Heat intolerance
may feel
excessive sweating
dizziness
Despite reports of heat intolerance from some people with RA, health authorities such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and arthritis organizations like the Arthritis Foundation do not list it as a common symptom.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Arthritis Foundation
Experts do not know how or why RA may cause heat intolerance, and there is a lack of research on potential links between the two conditions. Possible explanations include:
Autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysregulation: People with seropositive RA are more prone to ANS dysfunction. This can cause heat intolerance and difficulty with temperature regulation.
more prone
Inflammatory cytokines: The immune system increases the production of proteins called cytokines when a person has inflammation from arthritis. Inflammatory cytokines may increase body heat, which could contribute to heat intolerance.
may increase
Fever: Some people with RA experience a low grade fever. This may be due to certain inflammatory cytokines interacting with areas of the brain that control body temperature. However, some people describe feeling overheated without having a fever.
Some people
low grade fever
fever
Menopause: Some people with RA report symptoms of heat intolerance that are similar to the hot flashes and night sweats that can occur during menopause. Experts do not know how or why RA may cause hot flashes. Menopause may be the more likely cause of heat intolerance in people who have RA and are going through menopause.
hot flashes
night sweats
menopause
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Signs of heat intolerance related to rheumatoid arthritis
There is a lack of research on the possible links between heat intolerance and arthritis, and there are no specific symptoms of RA-related heat intolerance.
In one older study from 2014, 4.6% of older people with osteoarthritis, another type of inflammatory arthritis, reported that hot weather affected their pain levels.
4.6%
osteoarthritis
People with RA have anecdotally reported symptoms such as:
such as
a constant feeling of being overheated
flares of intense heat
a feeling of heat in the hands and feet
a feeling of heat throughout the body
night sweats
night sweats
Generally, signs of heat intolerance include:
feeling very hot, even in moderate temperatures
experiencing fatigue and exhaustion in warm weather
fatigue
sweating excessively
sweating excessively
not sweating enough, even when feeling very hot
not sweating enough
experiencing dizziness, nausea, and vomiting in response to heat
dizziness
vomiting
having mood changes in response to heat
Managing heat intolerance with rheumatoid arthritis
Although there is a lack of evidence for how or why RA may cause heat intolerance, a person can take steps to manage heat sensitivity in general, such as:
avoiding the sun during the hottest times of the day
drinking plenty of fluids
avoiding strenuous activity in warm environments
using a fan or an air conditioner during hot weather
wearing light, loose-fitting clothing
taking a cool bath or swimming
avoiding caffeine and alcohol
putting a cool, wet towel or ice pack on the head or the back of the neck
When to contact a doctor
A person should contact a doctor if they experience persistent symptoms of heat-related illness, such as:
such as
dizziness, nausea, and vomiting
nausea, and vomiting
excessive sweating
fainting
fainting
extreme fatigue
headaches
headaches
muscle cramps
a rapid pulse
mood changes
mood changes
A person should seek immediate medical attention if they or someone else experiences symptoms of severe heat-related illness, such as:
confusion
confusion
loss of consciousness
a temperature higher than 103°F (39°C)
an inability to sweat, even when very hot
Frequently asked questions
Below are the answers to some frequently asked questions about RA.
In general, studies suggest that people with RA experience worse symptoms and more flares when temperatures are lower during the colder months rather than during summer. But scientists do not understand the exact connection between weather and arthritis.
studies suggest
Although night sweats are not a common symptom of RA, some people with the condition report experiencing them.
not a common symptom
some people
Less common symptoms of RA include:
Less common symptoms of RA
Eye irritation: RA may lead to eye problems such as dryness, redness, and inflammation.
may lead to
dryness
redness
Lung complications: People with RA may be at higher risk for certain lung complications, including pulmonary nodules.
may be at higher risk
pulmonary nodules
Gum diseases: RA may contribute to gum diseases such as periodontitis.
may contribute
periodontitis
Skin conditions: There may be links between RA and various skin concerns, including discoloration and sun sensitivity.
may be links
Mental health conditions: RA may contribute to mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.
may contribute
anxiety
depression
Fever: Some people with RA experience low grade fever.
Some people
Fatigue: RA may cause extreme fatigue.
may cause
According to the Arthritis Foundation, warmer, drier climates may be the best for people with RA.
Arthritis Foundation
Summary
Some people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) report experiencing symptoms of heat intolerance, such as excessive sweating, intense flares of body heat, and a tendency to feel unusually hot in temperatures that others find comfortable or cool.
However, there is a lack of research on possible connections between RA and heat intolerance. Experts do not know how or why RA may contribute to heat intolerance, and health authorities do not typically list it as a common symptom of RA.
Inflammatory cytokines may influence body temperature in people with RA. Low grade fever due to RA, as well as menopause, may also play a role in heat intolerance. However, more research is necessary to determine links between RA and heat intolerance.