| The self-destructive immune response of rheumatoid | | | | examination. An x ray, a blood test for rheumatoid |
| arthritis may be caused by a combination of genetic | | | | factor, and other laboratory tests also may help your |
| susceptibility and an environmental trigger. Changing | | | | doctor to distinguish between other conditions and |
| hormones also may play an important part in the | | | | rheumatoid arthritis. |
| disease, possibly in response to an infection from the | | | | When to See a Doctor |
| environment. | | | | As we get older, many of us will feel occasional joint |
| More than one gene has been linked to risk for | | | | pain or discomfort that comes and goes. This does |
| rheumatoid arthritis. Specific genes may increase a | | | | not usually require professional treatment. But you |
| person's chance of developing the disease, and also | | | | should see a doctor if: |
| could partially determine how serious his or her | | | | • you regularly have morning stiffness in your |
| condition is. However, since not all people with a | | | | joints |
| genetic predisposition to rheumatoid arthritis actually | | | | • you experience persistent joint pain that does |
| have the disease, other factors must be important. | | | | not improve with self-care |
| A specific environmental trigger has not yet been | | | | • the joint pain is increasing |
| found, but some research suggests that infection by | | | | • the joint is swollen, red, hot, or tender to the |
| a virus or bacterium leads to rheumatoid arthritis in | | | | touch |
| genetically susceptible people. This does not mean | | | | • it is difficult to move without pain |
| that rheumatoid arthritis is contagious. People with | | | | • you also have a fever |
| rheumatoid arthritis appear to have more antibodies | | | | • several joints on the left and right sides of your |
| in the synovial fluid in their joints, suggesting that | | | | body are affected |
| there may be an infection. | | | | What to Expect During the Exam |
| Low levels of hormones from the adrenal gland are | | | | There are many sources of joint pain, and in early |
| common in people with rheumatoid arthritis, but how | | | | rheumatoid arthritis it is often difficult to rule out |
| hormones interact with environmental and genetic | | | | other causes of your symptoms. Your doctor will try |
| factors is unknown. Hormone changes may contribute | | | | to determine the causes of your symptoms based |
| to the progression of the rheumatoid arthritis. | | | | on your description, your medical history, and a |
| Conditions That Can Cause Rheumatoid Arthritis | | | | physical examination. They also may use x rays and |
| Rheumatoid arthritis can occur independently from | | | | laboratory tests to distinguish between other |
| other conditions, but its causes and relationship to | | | | conditions and rheumatoid arthritis. |
| other diseases are not well understood. A different | | | | A blood test can be done for rheumatoid factor, |
| form of chronic arthritis can sometimes develop into | | | | which is present in 80% of people with rheumatoid |
| rheumatoid arthritis. It also is possible that infections | | | | arthritis, but it may not be visible early on. In addition, |
| or other environmental triggers exist that can cause | | | | not everyone with rheumatoid factor has arthritis. |
| rheumatoid arthritis in people that already have a | | | | The initial exam is also important in monitoring |
| gene for the disease. | | | | changes in your health over time. If rheumatoid |
| Diagnosing Rheumatoid Arthritis | | | | arthritis is diagnosed, regular doctor visits will allow |
| It often is difficult to rule out alternate causes of | | | | you to adjust treatments as needed. |
| joint pain during the early stages of rheumatoid | | | | To learn about button phobia and cat phobia, visit the |
| arthritis. A diagnosis is based on the symptoms you | | | | 10 Most Common Phobias website. |
| describe, your medical history, and a physical | | | | |