Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of arthritis where your immune system attacks the tissue lining the joints on both sides of your body. It may affect other parts of your body too. The exact cause is unknown. Treatment options include lifestyle changes, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nutritional therapy, medication and surgery. Overview Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes symptoms in several body systems. What is rheumatoid arthritis? Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that is chronic (ongoing). It occurs in the joints on both sides of your body, which makes it different from other types of arthritis. You may have symptoms of pain and inflammation in your: • Fingers. • Hands. • Wrists • Knees • Ankles. • Feet. • Toes. Uncontrolled Specific cells in your • Skin. • Eyes. • Mouth. • Lungs. • Heart. Who gets rheumatoid arthritis? Rheumatoid arthritis affects more than 1.3 million people in the United States. It’s 2.5 times more common in people designated female at birth than in people designated male at birth. What’s the age of onset for rheumatoid arthritis? RA usually starts to develop between the ages of 30 and 60. But anyone can develop rheumatoid arthritis. In children and young adults — usually between the ages of 16 and 40 — it’s called young-onset rheumatoid arthritis (YORA). In people who develop symptoms after they turn 60, it’s called later-onset rheumatoid arthritis (LORA). Symptoms and Causes What are the symptoms of rh...