Rheumatoid arthritis

Key Points

Overview

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic condition that causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints. It is an autoimmune disease, meaning your immune system mistakenly attacks the healthy cells lining your joints, leading to inflammation. This condition usually affects joints in the hands, feet, and wrists, but can impact other parts of the body. Symptoms can vary, with periods of worsening known as flare-ups. While flares can be unpredictable, treatment aims to reduce their frequency and minimize or prevent long-term joint damage. Over time, untreated inflammation can damage cartilage and nearby bone. There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, but early diagnosis and appropriate treatment allow many people to live full lives and maintain regular employment. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms, slowing disease progression, and preventing complications.

Signs and Symptoms

• Joint pain
• Joint swelling
• Joint stiffness
• Flare-ups (worsening symptoms)
• Tiredness
• Weight loss

Things That Increase the Risk

• Being a woman
• Family history of rheumatoid arthritis
• Smoking

Diagnosis

• Consult a doctor for symptoms
• Early identification of underlying cause
• Prompt diagnosis for better outcomes

Treatment & Management

• Long-term medicines to relieve symptoms
• Medicines to slow disease progression
• Physiotherapy for mobility
• Occupational therapy for daily activities
• Surgery for joint problems
• Adapting daily tasks

Prevention

• Early diagnosis and treatment
• Consistent management of the condition
• Controlling flare-ups
• Reducing risk of complications
• Avoiding smoking

Related Diseases

• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Inflammation of lungs
• Inflammation of heart
• Inflammation of eyes
• Heart attack
• Stroke

Available Treatments

Explore our range of treatment options for Rheumatoid arthritis:

Surgical Options

Learn about surgical procedures available for Rheumatoid arthritis: