Other names: Arthritis; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; RA
Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term inflammatory condition that can affect the joints and other tissues and organs in the body.
What causes Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is considered an autoimmune condition, which means it is caused by your immune system making antibodies which attack your tissue.
Experts are not sure why the immune system in some people does this, but they have identified certain risk factors that make some people more likely than others to develop RA. These include:
- Smoking
- Hormones: Women are more likely to develop RA than men
- Having a family history of RA: Some evidence that RA can run in families
Some research suggests triggers, such as infection, trauma, or injury may kick off RA; however, none of these have been proven.
What are the symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis?
The main symptoms of RA are joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. Usually, symptoms develop gradually over several weeks, but in some people, symptoms develop rapidly.
The small joints of the hand and feet (such as the wrists, fingers, knees, toes, and ankles) are usually the first to become affected. Stiffness is usually worse first thing in the morning or after periods of inactivity and may make movement difficult. RA usually affects the joints on both sides of the body equally.
The pain is typically described as throbbing and aching. Joint stiffness is usually worse in the morning but still tends to persist, unlike stiffness caused by osteoarthritis which tends to wear off after about 30 minutes. Because the tissue inside the joints is affected, joints may look swollen and feel hot and tender to the touch. Some people develop firm swellings under the skin, called nodules, around affected joints.
Joint and bone destruction can occur over time if the disease process is not well-controlled.
Patients may also lack energy and have experience fevers, sweating, a poor appetite, and weight loss. Other symptoms may occur depending on what other parts of the body are affected, for example, dry eyes, or heart or lung problems.
How is Rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed?
If you develop any symptoms suggestive of RA, see your doctor. Your doctor will complete a physical exam checking your joints for warmth or redness, and also check your reflexes and joint strength.
Other tests that may be conducted include:
- Blood tests
- C-reactive protein (CRC)
- Rheumatoid Factor test
- X-rays
- An MRI.
How is Rheumatoid Arthritis treated?
Rheumatoid arthritis usually requires lifelong treatment with:
- Medications
- Physical therapy
- Targeted home exercises
- Health education
- Possibly surgery.
Early, aggressive treatment of rheumatoid arthritis can delay joint destruction.
