Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease that causes pain, stiffness, swelling, and loss of movement in your joints. It happens most often in the wrists, knuckles, knees, and feet. It can also affect other parts of your body.

RA is a lifelong problem that usually starts in early adulthood or middle age. You may have just one attack, but more often the symptoms come and go. Repeated attacks can lead to permanent joint damage. You can relieve symptoms and prevent or slow down joint damage by following your healthcare provider’s treatment plan and taking good care of yourself.

WHAT IS THE CAUSE?

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. This means that your body's defenses against infection attack your body's own tissue. When you have rheumatoid arthritis, the attack is mostly against the tissues that line the joints. The tissues get inflamed, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness. The inflammation also damages bone and cartilage (the cushioning in joints) and can change the shape of your joints.

Things that may cause or contribute to rheumatoid arthritis are:

Genes you have inherited. Genes are inside each cell of your body and are passed from parents to children. They contain the information that tells your body how to develop and work.
Infection, such as infection with the Epstein-Barr virus or rubella (measles) virus
Levels of female hormones. RA is more common in women. The symptoms tend to get better with the higher hormone levels that happen during pregnancy. Then the symptoms often come back after delivery, when hormone levels return to normal.
Smoking, which may trigger an auto-immune reaction
Long-term exposure to chemicals, like silica or asbestos.
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