In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system plays a role. Certain foods and hormonal changes can trigger arthritis also. Much is still to be learned about exactly how all these factors work together to cause this disease. Heredity seems to be a factor because arthritis seems to run in families. Women are generally affected three times more often than men.
Age also increases the risk of getting arthritis.
Sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis also may experience extreme fatigue, weight loss, increasingly more deformed joints, and loss of appetite. Often the symptoms of arthritis can be relieved by basic self-care practices such as getting enough rest, doing stretching and range of motion exercises each day, and maintaining your ideal weight. Aspirin and hot and cold treatments can relieve minor discomfort. You should call your doctor if you have arthritis pain with fever, if there is sudden unexplained swelling, redness or pain in any joint, if the pain is so great that you cannot use the joint or it limits your regular activities, or if the problem does not get better after five to six weeks and home care is not working. Also, ask your care provider to review the self-care options listed above in greater detail.