Do you know what are the factors of rheumatoid arthritis? Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of the joints. In RA, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks joint tissue, causing inflammation that can damage bone, cartilage, ligaments, and other joint tissue. As a result, the joints become swollen, stiff and painful.
RA usually affects multiple joints, especially those in the hands and feet. However, this disease can also affect other organs of the body, such as the eyes, heart, lungs, skin, and nervous system.
RA symptoms include joint pain, swelling, and stiffness in the morning or after sitting for long periods, muscle weakness, weight loss, and low-grade fever. RA usually gets worse over time and can cause permanent damage to the joints if not treated properly. Drug therapy, exercise, and physical therapy are some ways to treat RA and reduce symptoms. The following are 10 factors that can affect the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis:
- Genetics: Genetic factors play an important role in the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, especially in individuals who have family members with this disease.
- Age: Rheumatoid arthritis usually occurs in adults aged 40-60 years, although it can occur in younger or older people.
- Gender: Women are more commonly affected by rheumatoid arthritis than men.
- Smoking: Smoking can increase the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, especially in women.
- Infection: Several viral and bacterial infections have been linked to an increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.
- Obesity: People who are overweight or obese are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis.
- Environmental exposure: Exposure to certain chemicals and toxic substances can also increase your risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.
- Immune system imbalance: Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by an imbalanced immune system response.
- Stress: Physical or emotional stress can affect the response of the immune system and increase the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.
- Medical history: Several medical conditions such as diabetes, lupus, and a poorly functioning thyroid can increase your risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.
Those were some of the factors of rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a complex chronic autoimmune disease and is influenced by many factors, including genetics, age, gender, smoking, infection, obesity, environmental exposure, immune system imbalance, stress, and medical history. While there’s no way to completely prevent rheumatoid arthritis, managing risk factors can help reduce your risk of developing the disease and improve quality of life.
