Rheumatoid Arthritis - What Should You Know About It?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition different from osteoarthritis which is triggered by an abnormal immune reaction. It attacks the lining of the joints and can also damage other parts of the body. It is also presumed that osteoarthritis can be caused by a combination of environmental factors and genetic disorders. To stave off from unwanted joint damage, consult with an expert at the earliest.

There is considerable evidence that smoking is one of the strongest risk factors for RA. Smoking not just increases the probabilities of developing rheumatoid arthritis but it can also make the existing symptoms even worse. This is mostly caused by making other treatment options ineffective. Plus, smoking makes the immunity system weaker and makes the person more vulnerable to developing diseases. If you are running out of reasons to quit smoking, here s yet another one.

Quite contrary to the popular belief, rheumatoid arthritis is not a disease of the old age. Even though it mostly affects people aged between 40 and 60, it is a disease that can also affect a child of 6 years. So, it can be easily said that this immune disorder can affect anyone from a child to an aged person of 80 years. Tip: If you feel pain in your hands and feet, there is no reason to believe that you cannot have rheumatoid arthritis. Talk with an expert instead of neglecting it.

Most people believe that individuals with a family history of rheumatoid arthritis are at a greater risk of being affected by the disease. Even though it is true to some extent, people with no family history of RA can also have the disease. According to the researchers, there s a complicated interaction between environment, genetics and other potential triggers which make the immune system to malfunction and start affecting the joints which are healthy. This suggests that people who are genetically predisposed to rheumatoid arthritis may never get affected with the disorder. Tip: There are places outside the joints which can be affected with RA and thus, you should be very careful.