Is rheumatoid arthritis hereditary

RA causes ongoing If you do have RA, it’s not your fault. Although there’s not a cure, there are things you can do to help manage it. Causes and Risk Factors Doctors don’t know exactly what causes this disease. But they know these things could be risk factors for RA: Age. RA can affect you at any age, but it’s most common between 40 and 60. It isn’t a normal part of aging. Family history . If someone in your family has it, you may be more likely to get it. Environment. A toxic chemical or infection in your environment can up your odds. Gender. RA is more common in women than men. It’s more likely in women who've never been Obesity . Extra Smoking . If your genes already make you more likely to get RA, lighting up can raise your odds even higher. And if you do get the disease, smoking can make it worse. Can I Do Anything to Prevent RA? There’s no way to prevent RA, but you can lower your chances if you: Quit smoking . It’s the one sure thing besides your genes that boosts your odds of getting RA. Some studies show it also can make the disease get worse faster and lead to more Take care of your gums: New research shows a link between RA and periodontal (gum) disease. Brush, floss, and see your Even though there’s nothing you can do to ensure you won’t get it, keep in mind that early treatment can make your symptoms less painful and save your joints from damage. Ideally, you should begin treatment within 3 to 6 months of your first symptoms. SOURCES: American College of Rheum...

• Genetics: A family history of RA increases your risk for the disease. But family history alone is not enough to trigger the disease, and getting RA without a family history is possible. • Environment: Certain aspects of your environment might increase your risk for RA. These include exposure to chemicals and pollutants, chronic stress, past physical or emotional trauma, an illness, or viral or • Lifestyle: Researchers believe that nongenetic risk factors can lead to the development of RA. This includes lifestyle factors like smoking, obesity, diet, and other poor health choices. • Hormones: Research shows RA Because of this, researchers believe sex hormones contribute to the development of the disease. About 50% of women with RA develop it during their reproductive years. And RA disease activity and Rheumatoid arthritis risk You are at increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis if you have a close relative with the condition. Gene variations associated with RA include those for However, people with these gene variations may not develop RA, and people without these variations may develop RA. Types of Rheumatoid Arthritis Because there are differences in RA symptoms and disease severity, researchers believe that • Medical history: This includes a review of symptoms, your overall health, and a family history. • Physical examination: The healthcare provider will check your joints for swelling, warmth and redness. They will also check your range of motion of affected j...

RA is a chronic disease marked by symptoms of inflammation and pain in the joints. These symptoms and signs increase during periods known as RA symptoms Symptoms can • pain or aching in more than one joint • stiffness in more than one joint • tenderness and swelling in more than one joint • the same joint symptoms on both sides of the body • loss of joint function and deformities • fatigue • low-grade fever • loss of appetite • weakness Symptoms can vary from mild to severe. It’s important not to ignore your symptoms, even if they come and go. Knowing the There are a number of genetic and environmental factors that may increase your risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. Causes RA is an If you have RA, your If RA is not treated, the joint will become damaged and lose its shape and alignment, eventually becoming destroyed. Risk factors • Age. The onset of RA is • Sex. People • Genetics. People born with • History of live births. People with • Early life exposure. According to the • Smoking. • Obesity. • Diet. High consumption of sodium, sugar (especially fructose), red meat, and iron is associated with an First, they’ll ask about your symptoms and medical history. They’ll also perform a physical exam of your joints. This will • looking for swelling and redness • examining joint function and range of motion • touching the affected joints to check for warmth and tenderness • examining for skin nodules • testing your reflexes and muscle strength If they suspect RA, they’ll m...