Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

It is not exactly known what causes RA, but there is indication that it is inherited. Since it starts in the body’s immune system, it is thought that it could be triggered by different infections or environmental factors. Once the body’s tissues are attacked by the immune system it leads to inflammation in various parts of the body such as the joints or even the lungs and eyes. When body tissues are inflamed, the RA is active. Chronic inflammation can damage the body’s bone and cartilage. This can lead to erosion and weakness of the bones and can result in deformity and loss of function. Chronic pain that can be debilitating often accompanies RA.

Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

RA can be hard to diagnose because the symptoms often appear as other illnesses. It can flare up in one location of the body and then go away, only to flare up again in another location. It is possible to test negatively for RA but still have it, and x-rays sometimes do not show the condition until it has advanced.

A person with RA can often think that it is a sprain or other injury that is taking a long time to heal. People have been treated for conditions such as knee injuries and go through months of physical therapy when they are actually suffering from RA. RA is often diagnosed as carpel tunnel syndrome when it occurs in the hands because the swelling caused by the RA in the arms will compress the nerves in the hands.

Degenerative arthritis can result from RA, as well as other forms of arthritis such as gout or infections of the joints. It makes walking painful and can limit the ability to perform simple daily tasks.

Ankylosing spondylitis is another form of RA that affects the spine, causing inflammation of the spinal joint. It is a chronic painful condition and can lead to spinal fusion.

Managing RA

Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is a common way to obtain RA pain relief. Natural products such as glucosamine combined with chondrotin sulphate have been very effective in some people for managing the condition. Joint replacement is often recommended if deformity occurs or if the RA incapacitates a person. A person affected with RA needs to recognize warning signals in the body when a flare-up occurs, rest the affected joint, and relax to reduce stress.