Rheumatoid Arthritis: Basics

8 Key Questions About Rheumatoid Arthritis

What are the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis? How can I control pain? Get these answers and more.

By HealthTalk Staff

Medically reviewed by Ed Zimney, MD

1. What is rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is a systemic inflammatory disease that causes pain, stiffness, swelling, and loss of motion in the joints. It is an autoimmune disease — one of many in which, for unknown reasons, a person's immune system attacks his or her own body tissues. In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system attacks the synovium, which is the tissue that lines the joints. This causes an inflammation that can eventually lead to the destruction of the synovium and the joint.

Rheumatoid arthritis occurs in all types of people. But there are several characteristics that many patients share:

The disease often begins when people are between the ages of 30 and 50.
Rheumatoid arthritis is about three times more common in women than in men.
People who have close relatives with rheumatoid arthritis may be at increased risk of developing the disease.

2. What are the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis?

The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis vary from person to person and can mimic those of other inflammatory joint conditions, sometimes making the diagnosis difficult. Common RA symptoms include:

Tender, warm, swollen, and stiff joints, often first noticed in the hands and feet and usually symmetrical; for example, both wrists are affected at the same time.
Stiffness and pain that are usually worse after waking in the morning and last at least an hour before improving with use and motion.
Tiredness, low-grade fever, weight loss, and a general feeling of malaise that may develop even before the onset of joint symptoms.
Systemic effects on other parts of the body, such as the tear and salivary glands, lungs, heart, and blood vessels.
Soft lumps called rheumatoid nodules that range in size from a pea to a walnut, which occur in 20 to 30 percent of people with RA.

3. How is rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed?

A primary care physician may be able to diagnose RA by eliminating other conditions. But a specialist called a rheumatologist is better trained to detect the signs and symptoms of RA and would be more knowledgeable about the latest treatments.

4.What's the cause of rheumatoid arthritis?

Researchers have yet to uncover the cause or causes of rheumatoid arthritis. However, it's thought that a combination of factors triggers RA, including abnormal activity of the immune system acting against the body — called an autoimmune response — genetic susceptibility, and some environmental or biologic triggers, such as viral infections or hormonal changes.

5. What's the treatment for rheumatoid arthritis?

RA patients use a combination of treatments to relieve pain, improve mobility, and slow down or perhaps even stop damage to the joints. A treatment plan may include:

Lifestyle modifications: exercise, stress reduction, healthful eating
Medications including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), steroids, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and biologic therapies
Physical therapy, Bio-Magnetic Therapy
Surgery to repair damaged joints
Alternative and complementary therapies such as acupuncture, massage, or biofeedback for pain control

6. Is there a cure for rheumatoid arthritis?

There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis — but with the right treatment, the disease most often can be well-managed. The key to living comfortably with RA is adhering to your treatment plan and communicating with your doctor about symptoms and treatment side effects.

7. How do I manage my rheumatoid arthritis?

One of the best ways to control RA is to undergo aggressive treatment in the early stages of the disease so your symptoms do not get worse. It's also a good idea to keep a diary of your symptoms and let your doctor know about any changes in your condition — positive or negative — that might affect treatment choices. Compliance with prescribed medications is also important.

8. Will rheumatoid arthritis eventually make me disabled?

Rheumatoid arthritis varies greatly from person to person, so it's hard to predict a typical course for the disease. Doctors now believe that joint deterioration due to RA begins early in the disease and that treatment to prevent progression should begin early as well. Early treatment with appropriate drugs, often used in combination, may curtail the progression of rheumatoid arthritis and slow or even stop damage to the joints, thus preventing or slowing disability.

If you've recently been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis — or have a loved one who has — you're likely to have a host of questions. Let's start with the basics: risk factors, symptoms, and treatments. Rheumatoid arthritis, also known as RA, affects more than two million Americans; it's three times more likely in women than men and strikes patients of all ages and races. Symptoms range from mild to severe, with varying degrees of inflammation, swelling, pain, and damage in the joints. While there is no known cause, there are numerous treatments — from medications to lifestyle modifications — to help ease day-to-day living.

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