Rheumatoid Arthritis

What is it?

Points To Remember About Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in your joints. This disease often occurs in more than one joint and can affect any joint in the body. If you have this disease, you may feel sick and tired, and sometimes get fevers.
• Anyone can get rheumatoid arthritis, but it occurs more often in women and is most common in older people.
• Genes, environmental factors, and hormones may play roles in the development of rheumatoid arthritis.
• Treatment may involve medicine, surgery, and alternative therapies.
• Regular rest, joint care, activity, a healthy diet, and reduced stress can ease symptoms.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that affects your joints. Joints are where two or more bones join together, such as at your knees, hips, or shoulders. Rheumatoid arthritis causes pain, swelling, and stiffness. If joints on one side of your body have rheumatoid arthritis, usually those joints on the other side do too. This disease often occurs in more than one joint. It can affect any joint in the body.

If you have this disease, you also may feel sick and tired, and sometimes get fevers.