Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most common forms of arthritis, affecting many different joints in the body. It causes inflammation of the membrane lining the joint, which can trigger pain, stiffness, swelling, and can potentially lead to joint damage. Over time, the damage RA causes to joints typically results in pain and loss of movement.

RA is an inflammatory disorder, a condition in which a person's immune system attacks his or her own tissues. Joint damage from RA may begin during the early years after the onset of the disease. Because RA is a progressive disease that damages your joints, it's important to start an effective treatment as soon as possible.

Below are some important facts about RA:

• RA affects more than 2 million Americans, which is approximately 1% of the population
• In the United States, most people who develop RA are women. In fact, the disease is found in at least twice as many women as men
• RA can develop at any time, even though it commonly begins between the ages of 30 and 50
• The cause of RA is unknown, although genetic factors may contribute to the disease

Symptoms of RA:

• Joint stiffness
• Joint pain
• Swelling
• Difficulty moving (loss of function)

Other potential symptoms of RA may include loss of energy/fatigue, loss of appetite, and fever.

RA tends to affect joints symmetrically, which means you are likely to experience pain on both sides of the body at once — in both your hands or both your feet, for example. If left untreated, RA could lead to permanent joint deformity.

As RA progresses, it can lead to joint damage. A major cause of joint damage is the underlying inflammation triggered by a protein called tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). In RA, TNF-alpha can cause your immune system to attack healthy tissues in your body and cause inflammation and damage. If RA is left untreated, it can cause permanent damage to the body's bones, cartilage, and tissues.

Diagnosis

A diagnosis for RA typically comes from a rheumatologist, a physician who specializes in detection and treatment of RA to control its progression. When diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis, your rheumatologist will take into account your pattern of symptoms, your medical history, X-rays, lab tests, and physical exam results.

During your physical exam, your physician will look at swollen and tender joints to determine whether you may be at risk for further joint damage. Physicians often conduct a lab test to screen for "rheumatoid factor," an antibody found in the blood of approximately 80% of people with RA.

Once you've received an RA diagnosis, it's important to start treating it as soon as possible because RA gets worse as time passes.

If you have RA, then you may already know that regular exercise keeps joints moving and maintains flexibility. Safe exercise that is approved by your physician can help improve your stamina and ability to perform daily tasks, such as walking, dressing, or making your bed. Exercise may also help relieve stress and can possibly help you feel more relaxed and focused. Eating well is important too. Excess weight puts stress on your hips, back, hands, feet, and joints, and can make arthritis symptoms worse.

Click here to learn about living with RA.