Some people have only a mild form of RA that does not get more severe. Others go on to develop severe deformities of the joints. Most people with RA fall somewhere in between. RA is usually first noticed in the small joints of the hands, feet and wrists. As RA gets worse, the joints can become deformed and too stiff to move.
Some people have more stiffness after resting than after activity.
Physical therapy and exercise directed by a healthcare professional can help a person with RA keep the ability to move for as long as possible. RA affects about 1 in every 100 people. It affects women 3 times more often than men. The people most likely to develop RA are those between the ages of 35 and 50. COX-1 helps regulate normal cell function in the stomach and blood.