Rheumatoid Arthritis

General Information about Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is disease that affects the joints. It causes pain, swelling, and stiffness. If one knee or hand has rheumatoid arthritis, usually the other does too. This disease often occurs in more than one joint and can affect any joint in the body. People with this disease may feel sick and tired, and they sometimes get fevers.

Some people have this disease for only a few months, or a year or two. Then it goes away without causing damage. Other people have times when the symptoms get worse (flares), and times when they get better (remissions). Others have a severe form of the disease that can last for many years or a lifetime. This form of the disease can cause serious joint damage.

Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Doctors don't know the exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis. They know that with this arthritis, a person's immune system attacks his or her own body tissues. Researchers are learning many things about why and how this happens.

Things that may cause rheumatoid arthritis are:

  • Genes (passed from parent to child)
  • Environment
  • Hormones.

Diagnosing Rheumatoid Arthritis

People can go to a family doctor or rheumatologist to be diagnosed. A rheumatologist is a doctor who helps people with problems in the joints, bones, and muscles.

Rheumatoid arthritis can be hard to diagnose because:

  • There is no single test for the disease
  • The symptoms can be the same as other kinds of joint disease
  • The full symptoms can take time to develop.

To diagnose rheumatoid arthritis, doctors use medical history, physical exam, x rays, and lab tests.

Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Doctors have many ways to treat this disease. The goals of treatment are to:

  • Take away pain
  • Reduce swelling
  • Slow down or stop joint damage
  • Help people feel better
  • Help people stay active.

Treatment can include patient education, self-management programs, and support groups. This information includes:

  • Treatments
  • How to exercise and relax
  • How to talk with their doctor
  • Problem solving.

These programs help people:

  • Learn about the disease
  • Reduce pain
  • Cope with physical issues and emotions
  • Feel more control over the disease
  • Build confidence
  • Lead full and active lives.

Treatment for rheumatoid arthritis may involve:

  • Lifestyle changes
  • Medicine
  • Surgery
  • Regular doctor visits
  • Alternative therapies.