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