What causes rheumatoid arthritis?
-
Dr. Mehmet Oz answered:Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition, meaning your body's immune system attacks itself, as if it were a foreign invader like a bacteria or virus. With rheumatoid arthritis, your immune system attacks the lining of your joints, called the synovium -- usually in the wrists, fingers, elbows, knees, ankles, and feet. We now know that autoimmunity can be prompted by inflammation.
While it may be hard for your doctor and healthcare team to pinpoint the exact cause of your condition, they will consider your family history, age, weight, previous physical activity level, and injuries, if any, as well as past illnesses or infections, all of which can contribute to arthritis.Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition, meaning your body's immune system attacks itself, as if it were a foreign invader like a bacteria or virus. With rheumatoid arthritis, your immune system attacks the lining of your joints,... More -
While the exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown, there are some known contributing factors. Doctors believe that there is a genetic link, which means that if your parents have rheumatoid arthritis, you are more likely to get it. It is an autoimmune disease, which means that the immune system attacks the body-in this case the lining of the joints. An infection may cause the start of rheumatoid arthritis in someone who is already predisposed to it.
While the exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown, there are some known contributing factors. Doctors believe that there is a genetic link, which means that if your parents have rheumatoid arthritis, you are more likely to get it. It is an... More -
RealAge answered:Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) develops when part of the immune system, which is supposed to protect you from outside invaders, instead attacks your joints. It's not fully understood what causes the immune system to malfunction in this way, but RA is believed to be influenced by a combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental factors. The main risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis are:
- Your genes. People with a family history of rheumatoid arthritis are more likely to develop it themselves, and susceptibility to this disease has been traced to specific genes. But not everyone with a genetic predisposition gets RA, which suggests there may be other causes of rheumatoid arthritis.
- Your environment. Environmental triggers may help set off rheumatoid arthritis in people who already have a genetic susceptibility. Research suggests a viral or bacterial infection is the most likely trigger, but other environmental factors that may play a part include prolonged exposure to cigarette smoke and/or silica dust.
- Gender. Although being a woman doesn’t cause rheumatoid arthritis, your gender can be a significant risk factor. Women are two to three times more likely than men to develop rheumatoid arthritis. The reason for this is unclear, although there's some evidence that hormones -- particularly estrogens -- may play a role in RA.
- Age. Rheumatoid arthritis usually begins between the ages of 30 and 60, but it can develop at any time.
- Smoking. Smoking -- and exposure to secondhand smoke – is among the top rheumatoid arthritis risk factors. It may also increase the severity of the disease.
- Ethnicity. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs in people of all ethnicities, but some American Indian and Alaskan Native populations have a significantly higher incidence of RA than other ethnic groups.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) develops when part of the immune system, which is supposed to protect you from outside invaders, instead attacks your joints. It's not fully understood what causes the immune system to malfunction in this way, but... More -
Dr. Michael T Murray answered:Abundant evidence suggests that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune reaction, in which antibodies formed by the immune system attack components of joint tissues. Yet what triggers this autoimmune reaction remains largely unknown. Speculation and investigation have centered around genetic factors, abnormal bowel permeability, lifestyle and nutritional factors, food allergies, impaired liver detoxification, and microorganisms. RA is a classic example of a multifactorial disease, wherein an assortment of genetic and environmental factors contributes to the disease process.
Abundant evidence suggests that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune reaction, in which antibodies formed by the immune system attack components of joint tissues. Yet what triggers this autoimmune reaction remains largely unknown. Speculation... More -
HealthyWomen answered:Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is considered an autoimmune disease. Such diseases are characterized by an immune-system attack on the body's healthy tissues.
Although no one knows the causes of rheumatoid arthritis, it seems to develop as a result of an interaction of several factors, including genetics, environment, and hormones.Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is considered an autoimmune disease. Such diseases are characterized by an immune-system attack on the body's healthy tissues.Although no one knows the causes of rheumatoid arthritis, it seems to develop as a result of an... More
