Facts and Tips about Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Researchers aren't sure what exactly causes rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but it could have something to do with heredity: they've discovered a possible link between the genetic marker HLA-DR4 and people with RA.
  
• Rheumatoid arthritis causes your immune system to turn against itself.
  
• RA symptoms are often symmetrical: if your right wrist is affected, your left wrist usually is, too.
  
• Women are more likely than men to develop rheumatoid arthritis.
  
• Pregnancy can relieve some of the symptoms of RA.
  
• In the spine, rheumatoid arthritis usually starts in the neck (cervical spine).
  
• You need a good balance of rest and exercise / activity to keep your joints as healthy as possible.
  
• In the US, it's estimated that 1.3 million people have RA (1).

Now that you know more about rheumatoid arthritis, test your knowledge.

Reference

1. http://www.arthritis.org/disease-center.php?disease_id=31&df=whos_at_risk. Accessed 21 January 2009.