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Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that can cause joint pain and damage throughout your body.

The joint damage that RA causes usually happens on both sides of the body. So, if a joint is affected in one of your arms or legs, the same joint in the other arm or leg will probably be affected, too. This is one way that doctors distinguish RA from other forms of Arthritis, such as osteoarthritis (OA).

Treatments work best when RA is diagnosed early, so it’s important to learn the signs. 

Rheumatoid arthritis causes:

The exact cause of RA isn’t known. However, certain factors seem to play a role in increasing the risk of developing RA or triggering its onset.

Factors that may increase your risk for RA include:
  • being a woman
  • having a family history of RA

Factors that may trigger onset of RA involve:
  • Exposure to certain types of bacteria, such as those associated with periodontal disease
  • Having a history of viral infections, such as the Epstein-Barr virus, which causes mononucleosis
  • Trauma or injury, such as bone breakage or fracture, dislocation of a joint, and ligament damage
  • Smoking cigarettes
  • Having Obesity
The cause may not be known but there are several risks and triggers.

Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms:

RA is a chronic disease marked by symptoms of inflammation and pain in the joints. These symptoms and signs occur during periods known as flares or exacerbations. Other times are known as periods of remission — this is when symptoms disappear completely.

While RA symptoms can affect several organs in the body, the joint symptoms of RA include:
  • joint pain
  • joint swelling
  • joint stiffness
  • loss of joint function and deformities

Symptoms can vary from mild to severe. It’s important not to ignore your symptoms, even if they come and go. Knowing the early signs of RA will help you and your healthcare provider better treat and manage it.

Rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis:

Diagnosing RA can take time and may require multiple lab tests to confirm clinical examination findings. Your healthcare provider will use several tools to diagnose RA.

First, they’ll ask about your symptoms and medical history. They’ll also perform a physical exam of your joints. This will include:
  • looking for swelling and redness
  • examining joint function and range of motion
  • touching the affected joints to check for warmth and tenderness
  • testing your reflexes and muscle strength
If they suspect RA, they’ll most likely refer you to a specialist called a rheumatologist. Since no single test can confirm a diagnosis of RA, your healthcare provider or rheumatologist may use several different types of tests.

They may test your blood for certain substances like antibodies, or check the level of certain substances like acute phase reactants that are elevated during inflammatory conditions. These can be a sign of RA and help support the diagnosis.

They may also request certain imaging tests, such as an ultrasound, X-ray, or MRI.

Tests not only show if joint damage has occurred but also how severe the damage is. A complete evaluation and monitoring of other organ systems might be recommended for some people with RA, too.



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