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Rheumatoid arthritisPublished by BUPA's health information team, healthinfo@bupa.com, August 2007. This factsheet is for people with rheumatoid arthritis, or who would like information about it. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) occurs as a result of your immune system causing inflammation of the lining of a joint and the tissues surrounding it. It affects more than 350,000 people in the UK and can occur at any age. RA may be very mild with few symptoms, but for about one in 20 people it affects many joints and can be severe and disabling. Rheumatoid arthritis treatment includes painkillers and medicines to reduce inflammation and prevent the disease's progression.
What is rheumatoid arthritis?Arthritis means inflammation of the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease. Usually your body's immune system produces white cells and proteins called antibodies to destroy foreign substances such as viruses and bacteria. With autoimmune diseases, your immune system mistakes your own tissue as foreign and attacks it, leading to inflammation. In RA, your body's immune system attacks the lining of your joints (synovial membrane). The disease may also cause inflammation of the sheaths around your tendons. Eventually, this causes thinning of the cartilage that covers the ends of your bones, and may lead to the bone being worn away.
Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritisYou will probably find that RA develops quite slowly at first. You may notice some discomfort in your hands and feet, and your joints may be swollen. It's possible that you will feel particularly stiff when you get up in the morning. For some people, the condition comes on quickly and painfully and may make it difficult for you to carry out your daily activities. You may also feel tired and generally unwell. You may develop rheumatoid nodules - fleshy lumps that usually appear on your hands, feet and elbows. These aren't painful but may mean you have difficulty using your hands. RA affects everyone differently and you are likely to find there are times when your symptoms are worse than at others. It's not usually possible to predict when these flare-ups will occur. In general, of people with RA:
Causes of rheumatoid arthritisIf you are a woman, you are nearly three times more likely to get RA than a man. It's common for the symptoms of RA to improve during pregnancy - this suggests that hormones and the immune system may be involved in triggering the condition. There seem to be some genes that make it more likely that you will get RA, and the disease runs in some families. Certain lifestyle factors may increase your risk, for example, if you smoke or are obese. Diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritisIf you suspect you have RA, even if your symptoms are mild, it's a good idea to see your GP. If you do have RA, it's important to start treatment soon because the earlier it's started, the more effective it will be. If not treated, the condition may lead to serious disability. It can be difficult to diagnose RA because many other conditions may make your joints painful. There is no single test that can diagnose it, but your GP will ask about your symptoms and examine you. He or she may refer you for further tests.
Treatment of rheumatoid arthritisSelf-helpThere are things you can do to help ease the symptoms of RA.
MedicinesThere is a large range of medicines available that can help relieve the symptoms of RA, although no medicine can cure the condition.
With all medicines, it's important to follow the instructions in the patient information leaflet that comes with the medicine and ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice. Complementary therapiesComplementary therapies such as acupuncture and aromatherapy can't cure arthritis, but you may find they help to relieve pain and make you feel more relaxed. Speak to your doctor before trying any complementary therapy as it may affect any conventional medication that you are taking. Non-surgical treatmentsNSAIDs are available as creams or gels that can be rubbed onto painful areas, although these are not usually sufficient for treating inflamed joints. Your doctor may recommend steroid injections. These are given directly into the specific joint and provide pain relief very quickly. SurgeryIt's unlikely that you will need surgery to treat your RA. However, if you have severely damaged joints and medication has not helped, your doctor may recommend that you have an operation. The surgery won't cure RA but it may help to reduce pain and discomfort. You may be offered:
Living with rheumatoid arthritisYou may find RA upsetting and frustrating. It's important to tell your doctor about how it's affecting you so he or she can make sure you get the most suitable treatment. You may need to make changes to your daily life, but people such as physiotherapists and occupational therapists can help to make this easier. It is likely that you will be able to control the disease very well using rheumatoid arthritis medication. Further information
Sources
Related topicsThis information was published by BUPA's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Dr Simon Bowman PhD FRCP, consultant rheumatologist, University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust; Dr Sundeept Bhalara MSc MD MRCP, consultant rheumatologist; Dr Daniel Fishman FRCP PhD, consultant rheumatologist, Luton and Dunstable NHS Foundation Trust; and BUPA doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional. Publication date: August 2007. Expected review date: August 2009.
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