The cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown, but there are some factors that increase your risk. If your parents have rheumatoid arthritis, it is not certain that you will get it, but you are more prone to it. Women tend to get it more often than men do. The onset of rheumatoid arthritis is generally between the ages of 35 and 50 years old. One risk factor you can control is smoking. Quitting smoking will lower your risk.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Causes & Risks
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See All 2 AnswersRheumatoid arthritis flare-ups are essentially times of increased disease activity. Generally, the longer the disease is active, the more joint destruction is going on. During times of disease activity, the body's infection-fighting cells mistakenly attack the joints, leading to destruction of bone and cartilage. Morning stiffness and joint pain or swelling are some signs of active disease. -
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Dr. Michael Jurgelewicz , Chiropractic Medicine, answeredTraditionally trained physicians usually state the causes of autoimmune diseases are unknown. Patients with autoimmune diseases such as, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, or Sjogren’s disease are simply given protocol driven treatments with limited success because an acute care model is given to a chronic problem and the underlying cause is never investigated.
The problem with this is everyone has their own biochemical individuality. Patients with similar symptoms can have totally different test results. There is endless research on intestinal permeability aka intestinal epithelial hyperpermeability aka Leaky Gut. The gastrointestinal tract is 80% of our immune system. Whenever you have inflammation present, the tight junctions and intestinal mucosa can become damaged causing gaps or “pores” in the lining of the GI tract. Then toxic byproducts in the digestive tract can be absorbed into the bloodstream and transported on to the liver. The molecules of food and toxins are “leaked” through the GI lining and then eventually they affect systems throughout the body causing inflammation in our joints, expressing toxins in autoimmune conditions and food sensitivities.
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) often have an association between food intake and rheumatoid disease severity. In a recent study of this immunological link between gut immunity and RA, food IgG, IgA and IgM antibodies were measured. In the intestinal fluid of many RA patients, all three immunoglobulin classes showed increased food specific activities, including gliadin antibodies.
If you have an autoimmune disease, there are some tests to consider. There have been great strides in advancement in technology and what labs can test today. There are labs that assess a patient’s delayed onset food sensitivities. There is also a great lab to confirm if someone has intestinal permeability. Through the serum they are able to detect antibodies to LPS, Occludin/Zonulin and the Actomyosin Network to identify breakdown of a healthy intestinal barrier.
It is also very important to get your vitamin D levels checked as well as Gluten-Associated Antibodies and Cross-Reactive Foods tested since they play a large role in inflammatory and autoimmune processes.
Once these underlying areas your health are explored, nutritional and lifestyle support would be used to address any dysfunctions, deficiencies, toxicities, etc.
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HealthyWomen answeredSee All 2 AnswersCertain genes involved in immune system responses are associated with a predisposition for developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA), although there is no single "rheumatoid arthritis gene." People with RA are more likely to have human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes than people without the disease, and other genes also play roles in the development of RA. Having any of these genes is no guarantee that you'll develop RA (in fact, many individuals with this common gene do not develop the disease); likewise, the absence of these genes doesn't rule out the possibility of developing the disease. It appears that a person's genetic makeup is an important part of the story, but not the whole answer. -
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RealAge answeredSee All 5 AnswersThere has been a lot written about so-called arthritis diets, but no one food causes arthritis, and no one food can cure it. However, research suggests that eating a typical Mediterranean-style diet—plenty of fruit, vegetables and healthy unsaturated fats (olive oil, nuts and fish)—may help reduce inflammation and improve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Vitamin E, omega-3 and omega-6 supplements may also help reduce inflammation and pain.
Rheumatoid arthritis and some of the medications used to treat it can lead to low levels of protein, folic acid, and calcium—nutrients your body needs to stay healthy and strong. People with RA have an increased risk of developing osteoporosis as well, so consider taking calcium and vitamin D supplements to help maintain bone strength or a daily multivitamin to cover all your bases.
Talk to your doctor before taking supplements or making major changes in your diet.