Is your arthritis getting you down?  Is the discomfort affecting your quality of life? So, what is rheumatoid arthritis anyway?

Discover the details about rheumatoid arthritis as well as what you can do on a daily basis to reduce the incidence and severity of your rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis And What Causes It?

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body’s own immune system mistakenly attacks the cell lining inside the joints.  It is a chronic, potentially disabling disease that causes swelling in the tissue around the joints resulting in pain, stiffness and loss of joint function.

Rheumatoid arthritis commonly begins in the small joints of the hands and feet and spreads to involve other joints.  As the disease progresses it can cause severe disability and disfigurement.   Rheumatoid arthritis can also result in damage to the eyes, nervous system and other organs such as the spleen, blood vessels and lungs.

The cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown.

How Is Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosed?

There are 3 tests to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis.  Blood tests are usually done to check for certain antibodies that can indicated rheumatoid arthritis.  However, these antibodies are not present in all cases so doctors often need to use other diagnostic tests in order to make an accurate diagnosis.  Imaging tests including x-ray and MRI can detect joint inflammation and damage which are signs of rheumatoid arthritis.  A joint fluid analysis tests the fluid around the joint for arthritis and other conditions.

Rheumatoid arthritis is difficult to diagnose early because it can begin gradually with subtle symptoms.

Is There A Cure For Rheumatoid Arthritis?

There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis however there are ways to reduce the frequency and severity of symptoms and dramatically improve your quality of life.  Diet and exercise are two of the most important factors to consider.

If you’re a coffee drinker you may want to consider switching to tea, as coffee leaches vitamins and minerals from the body and contributes to rheumatoid arthritis.  Those who consume four or more cups of coffee per days are twice as likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis than those who do not drink coffee at all.  While antioxidants found in green tea are known to reduce the incidence and severity of rheumatoid arthritis.

Visit rheumatoid arthritis diet to discover what foods you should eat and what foods you need to avoid if you have rheumatoid arthritis.

Who Gets Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis affects 1% of the World’s population.  It typically affects people between the ages of 25 and 55.  Women are three times more likely than men to develop rheumatoid arthritis.

Don’t let your arthritis stop you from getting down on your hands and knees and playing with your children or grandchildren.  Visit what is rheumatoid arthritis to learn more about this disease and how to reduce your symptoms naturally.