Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis: Causes & Symptoms

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a painful disease that is caused when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the muscle and organ tissue of the body, which results in inflammation. People who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis may experience no symptoms for long periods at a time, although the disease progresses and is considered an illness that lasts for years.

Suspicions

• There are no proven causes of rheumatoid arthritis. However, it is suspected that viruses, fungus and bacteria may be the root reasons for the disease.

Genetically Susceptible

• As testing and studies are done by scientists throughout the world, it is becoming more and more clear that genetics could play a role in being susceptible to rheumatoid arthritis.

Environment

• Chemicals and pollutions naturally found in the environment are also believed to be a root cause of the disease. In particular, studies show that smoking tobacco may promote inflammation due to rheumatoid arthritis.

Signs and Symptoms

• A lack of appetite and decreased energy are the first signs of rheumatoid arthritis. Other signs are muscle pain and general body weakness. Chronic inflammation can result in joint pain as well.