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Rheumatoid arthritis - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
Jan 25, 2023 · Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can affect more than just your joints. In some people, the condition can damage a wide variety of body systems, including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart and blood vessels.
Rheumatoid arthritis - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic
Jan 25, 2023 · Treatment. There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis. But clinical studies indicate that remission of symptoms is more likely when treatment begins early with medications known as disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).
Rheumatoid Arthritis Basics: Overview, Symptoms, and Causes
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic (long-lasting) disease that mostly causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function in joints. RA may cause you to feel unusually tired, to have occasional fevers, and to have a loss of appetite. Treatments can include medications, ongoing care from a doctor, and surgery.
Rheumatoid Arthritis | Health Topics | NIAMS
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic (long-lasting) autoimmune disease that mostly affects joints. RA occurs when the immune system, which normally helps protect the body from infection and disease, attacks its own tissues. The disease causes …
Rheumatoid Arthritis: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Steps to Take
Doctors diagnose RA by: Taking a medical history. Performing a physical exam. Ordering laboratory tests. Ordering imaging studies, such as x-rays or ultrasound. It can be difficult to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis when it is in the early stages because: The disease develops over time, and only a few symptoms may be present in the early stages.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Basics: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Steps to Take
Living with RA can be hard. If you feel alone, anxious, or depressed, talk to your doctor, an RA support social worker, or mental health professional. Talk to family and friends about your RA to help them understand the disease. You may find it helpful to join an online or community support group. Healthy diet.
Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases & Conditions | NIAMS
Sep 6, 2023 · Find information about more than 20 different arthritic diseases (those that affect the joints) and rheumatic diseases (which usually affect joints, tendons, ligaments, bones, and muscles).
Is depression a factor in rheumatoid arthritis? - Mayo Clinic
Sep 21, 2023 · Rheumatoid arthritis and depression commonly occur together. Although this is known, people with rheumatoid arthritis often aren't screened for depression, so it may not be diagnosed or treated.
Rheumatoid arthritis: Can it affect the lungs? - Mayo Clinic
Sep 21, 2023 · The lung problems most often linked to rheumatoid arthritis include: Scarring within the lungs. Scarring related to long-term inflammation (interstitial lung disease) may cause shortness of breath, a chronic dry cough, fatigue, weakness and loss of appetite.
Rheumatoid arthritis: Can it affect the eyes? - Mayo Clinic
May 20, 2021 · Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that primarily affects the joints. However, rheumatoid arthritis occasionally affects other parts of the body — including the eyes.