What your joints need

Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition where involves inflammation of joints which leads to further swelling and pain. It causes an upset inside the body where the immune system starts attacking joint tissue, cartilage and other organs. However the causes of rheumatoid arthritis are still not known fully. This type of arthritis is the most common and affects one in every 100 people. Rheumatoid arthritis affects people of all ages but mainly effects people within the ages of 30 to 50. Women are three times more likely to be effected as men. Patients carrying this form of arthritis most often complain of fluctuating pain and inflammation of joints, which can get gets worse during flare-ups. This article aims to offer an insight into several treatments that can be used against rheumatoid arthritis.

There are two main kinds of drugs used against rheumatoid arthritis; first line drugs, fast acting drugs, and second line which are slow acting drugs.

First line drugs include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Examples of NSAIDs are aspirin, ibuprofen and etodolac. These can be used to reduce pain and swelling of joints. Aspirin has long been used to decrease inflammation. It can be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis by using doses that are higher then those used during fever. Newer types of NSAIDs are effective as aspirin and require fewer intakes per day. However just like all medication, it has its own side effects which include stomach pain, abdominal pain and a few others. In order to minimize the side effects of NSAIDs, they are regularly taken with meals. Another type of first line drugs includes Corticosteroids.

They are more powerful then NSAIDs and are given either orally or through an injection to the inflamed areas such as joints. Corticosteroids are given in small doses, mainly during flare-ups as it reacts more strongly to inflammation. However it can have serious side effects on the body if given for an extended period of time in high doses. These include weight gain, easy risk of infection, easy bruising and others. The side effects can be minimized by decreasing the level of doses given to the patients slowly as the condition of the patient improves. A sharp decline in the doses given to the patient is discouraged as it can lead to flare-ups and other symptoms of the disease.

Second line drugs include Disease-modifying Anti-rheumatic Drugs or DMARDs. These drugs are mainly used to prevent destruction of joints and deformity. DMARDs are used for an extended period of time in order to be effective. DMARDs can often be used with a combination of other second line drugs as therapy. Some examples of DMARDs include Sulfasalazine, Hydroxychloroquine, D-penicillamine and others.

Apart from the above methods, there are some other approaches that can be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. The patients can undertake exercise that can help them improve their physical condition and improve joint mobility. Additionally it is important to have a healthy intake of food. Many often patients with rheumatoid arthritis can experience weight loss. This can be combined with medication and therapy to come up with a more potent combination against the condition. Depending on your position, you can under go either physiotherapy or occupational therapy. This will help improve flexibility, mobility, and reduce pain in your joints.

The aforementioned approaches to rheumatoid arthritis have been used time and again. However it is essential to seek your nearest doctor to get firm guidance. Each arthritis case shall be dealt on an individual basis. With the passage of time, new and more effective treatments against arthritis are starting to come through. However the only way to gain the maximum benefit from the existing treatments will be to remain punctual throughout the course of the medication. It is important to constantly consult your doctor and keep him or her up to date with your condition, so that the doctor can advise you further and give more effective feedback.

Arthritis – and the way it can affect your health and quality of life – can be a difficult thing to come to grips with. Arthritis isn’t so much a specific disease as it is a condition that can arise as a result of over 100 different illnesses. Generally, arthritis involves degeneration or inflammation of the joints. However, it can also include swelling, deformity, and – eventually – disability. Some forms of arthritis can even damage seemingly unlikely organs like the heart, eyes, urinary tract, and skin.

Arthritis affects over 46 million Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC also estimates that more than one-fifth of our adult population has some form of arthritic condition. Again, arthritis can come in many different forms, and – although they are all related – its not always easy to recognize arthritis in all of its different guises. The diseases gout and pseudogout are forms of arthritis in which crystals form in the joints.

Psoriatic arthritis is a condition that only affects those who already have the skin disease psoriasis, and ankylosing spondylitis is a form of arthritis that is focused specifically in the spine. Despite its more exotic incarnations, most Americans with arthritis suffer from one of two types: rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and osteoarthritis (OA).

Rheumatiod arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s own defenses are turned against healthy tissues. RA can be a debilitating disease, characterized by a painful swelling of the joints that can be quite severe. Arthritis can impact the lives of people of all ages, and the most common form of arthritis in children is juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Arthritis is so common that many of the aches and pains we simply accept as “part of getting older,” are symptoms of osteoarthritis. The bad knees and hips many of us have experienced are – generally – the result of the degeneration of cartilage on these load-bearing joints, caused by osteoarthritis. What options do we have when faced with such a variable, widespread condition?

First, it is important to determine whether or not you are in fact suffering from one of the many forms of arthritis. The diagnosis of the condition can involve a physical exam, evaluation of medical history, x-ray tests, ultrasound, and perhaps even blood and urine tests. Once it is determined that you actually do have one of the forms of arthritis , it is important to understand that there is no cure for the disease. However, there are a number of treatment options that can help you minimize the disease’s painful symptoms, and maximize your quality of life.

Treatment of arthritis can take on a variety of forms in order to address the three key issues for any patient with the disease: alleviating pain, preventing degeneration, and maintaining and improving joint mobility. Treatment can include: exercise, physical therapy, occupational therapy and medications. In the most severe of cases, surgery may be required in order to remove growths, or replace an entire joint. The replacement of an entire joint in known as arthroplasty. Arthroplasty of knee joints has become a very common and effective procedure for patients with severe degeneration of cartilage in their joints. In addition to these various forms of treatments, there are now a number of lifestyle products that are custom-designed for people of all ages who’s lives have been affected by arthritis.

One of the most difficult aspects of dealing with arthritis is that it can make simple tasks you have always taken for granted painful and difficult. We rarely worry about opening a jar or a door, but arthritis can make even these basic tasks challenging. With Great Grips, you can open any door or jar. Just stretch the Grip over the knob or lid, and you suddenly have the leverage and gripping surface you need to make any gripping task a snap. The cordless, ergonomic, automatic Gizmo Can Opener can bring the same kind of ease to your kitchen tasks, insuring that arthritis won’t sideline the home-gourmet in you.

The Evoluent company has even built a better mouse so the computer -savvy arthritis sufferer can stay logged-in without stress or strain.

Consult your doctor. Find out if you are suffering from arthritis, and what you can do about it. With the right treatments – and the right products – arthritis doesn’t have to be such a pain.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammation of the joints, the surrounding swelling and discomfort is painful. How the body treats this attack to the equalibrium is by attempting to repair the afflicted area, in doing so the surrounding area may have the bone and cartilage disrupted and broken down. Everyone has different results with intervals where the symptoms are less but cruelly return again later as if taunting the sufferer.

A Feeling of Stiffness in the Joint

Rheumatoid arthritis sufferers waking in the morning often feel joint stiffness for more than an hour. This is one of the first signs that arthritis may be starting. Observing the joints in question should reveal some swelling and tenderness in more than one part of the body. The discomfort may reside to acceptable levels after a while but can come back in periods of inactivity.

The early rheumatoid arthritis symptoms do not necessarily have to be confined to the joints of the body. Upon closer inspection of the joint area can reveal small nodules under the skin or even an accumulation of fluids. Rheumatoid arthritis can cause a loss of appetite and body shaking chills, other than the common pain of the joint area.

As time moves on the person afflicted with the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis have times of :

* unusual tiredness

* morning stiffness

* extensive aches and pains

* low stamina

These early rhumatoid arthritis symptoms need to be heeded because if treated quickly the joints permanent ruination may be lessened or at least slow it down to manageable levels. Failure to action these arthritis symptoms early enough will condemn the person to a life of medications, monitored exercise programs, physical therapy or even surgery.

Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms can greatly reduce the mobility of the person to such an extent where previously accepted lifestyles need to be readdressed. The joint mobility and resulting pain and discomfort should cause the person to follow through with treatment, thus preventing the rheumatoid arthritis from having free reign and causing much more damage than necessary. Seeking out appropriate medications, natural remedies and dietary changes can provide comfort and allow the sufferer to maintain the lifestyle at a standard that they are used to for many years to come.

Arthritis is a progressive chronic degenerative condition caused by the bodys inability to replace lost cartilage. In the early stages such things as sports injuries to a particular joint or an accident that has damaged one or more joints may cause arthritis, but in the vast majority of cases, arthritis is the result of a breakdown of protein absorption and a lack of key essential minerals needed to repair and maintain connective tissue strength. Exercise plays a major role in keeping the …

Arthritis pain can be experienced whenever a stiff or swollen joint is used. The first step when looking for solutions to an arthritis pain problem is to understand how arthritis works. Arthritis is usually found in the joints of the fingers, feet, knees, hips, and spine.

The combination of the collagen meshwork and high water content tightly bound by proteoglycans creates a resilient, slippery pad in the joint, which resists the compression between bones during muscle movement. Damaged joints cause pain and sufferers are constantly looking for ways to relieve the pain. Cartilage contains a high percentage of water, but it decreases with age.

It’s generally thought that inflammation plays a minor role in osteoarthritis and is more likely to be a result, not a cause, of arthritis. Most experts now believe that osteoarthritis results from a genetic susceptibility that causes a biologic response to injuries to the joint, which leads to progressive deterioration of cartilage. One possible cause of arthritis is the inflammatory response due to the over-reaction of the immune system to an injury or other assault in the body, like an infection.

Nutrition experts say it takes a combination of supplements, that no one supplement can relieve arthritis pain, build cartilage, etc. For natural treatment for arthritis make an appointment with a naturopathic doctor, called a naturopath; ask around for referrals.

Supplements that help any disease or ailment include vitamin B12 — the methylcobalamin type not cyanocobalamin, and has to be sub-lingual — dissolves slowly under the tongue; and vitamin D3 especially if you can’t get a daily dose of 15-20 minutes of sun on your arms and legs so you can make your own vitamin D3.

One natural approach is to consume foods that are known to help relieve arthritis pain or prevent arthritis. The first step in managing your arthritis is to change your diet; I think all experts would agree on this. Studies done on antioxidant vitamins question the value of these supplements; it’s clearly better to consume these antioxidants in living foods because they may also need to work with other nutrients present in the foods to work properly.

Natural treatment for arthritis is usually a better choice because it’s non-invasive to the body. I know quite a few people who are drinking tart cherry juice to relieve their arthritis pain; has to the tart kind though.

Many arthritis sufferers have changed their diets and noticed significant or total improvement. Gluten may be a culprit in arthritic diseases including fibromyalgia; avoid wheat, barley, rye, spelt, triticale, kamut and oats (although not a gluten grain it gets contaminated at the wheat mills).

If weight is an issue, try to use exercises that will help you in losing weight such as walking. Use Taiji health balls, with the chimes, to strengthen the finger joints: hold two balls, move in a clockwise circle with your fingers to rotate them, then try counterclockwise and do throughout the day. For arthritic fingers, a good exercise is to put your finger tips together and press hard and release, then repeat several times. To be on the safe side always seek your doctor’s advice before starting or changing your exercise program.

Sign up for water aerobics classes at your local community center. Putting on a pair of stretch gloves at bedtime can help reduce the pain and swelling in your fingers, for those with arthritic hands. Even if you don’t think you can exercise, you can do some movements.

Once you become more informed about arthritis you’ll be able to plan an arthritis treatment program, natural or conventional or a combination of both. Let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other drugs, herbs or other supplements you’re taking, to ward off any adverse drug reactions that might occur from the combining of different drugs or supplements. For conventional treatment of arthritis – if you do choose to take drugs or medications, be very careful and read the labels thoroughly.

Changing your diet to predominately fruits and raw veggies, like I did, can turn your arthritis pain around almost overnight. Stopping the progress of your arthritis as well as stopping your pain should be your number one goal. More and more doctors are investigating the benefits of alternative therapies and most don’t object to patients trying them.

Arthritis pain relief is what’s available when it comes to taking care of this severe disease. Occasional liberation from this ailment is accessible. The longer you can stay pain free, obviously the better off you will be.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis affecting up to 20 million people in the United States alone. Osteoarthritis (OA) begins with the decomposition of cartilage in joints, resulting in joint pain, throbbing, and stiffness. An arthritis pain relief sure comes in handy for this type of the disease.

Rheumatoid arthritis, one of the more common types, occurs when synovial membrane gets inflamed and joint swells up. If it is allowed to increase it can affect the cartilage and cause severe pain. In its more advances stage it can affect other parts of the body such as lungs, heart and eyes. This disease is three times more common in women than in men.

Psoriatic Arthritis is not as well known as the preceding two, but actually eats away at the joints and can also manifest as psoriasis on the skin.

The motives, why patients change their arthritis pain relief therapies are numerous. Here are a few. Do any of these make sense for you to alter your arthritis pain relief?

Their current medication is not doing the job any more. While it may have worked in the past this arthritis pain relief solution is just not effective now.

Moving away from chemical healing to some natural arthritis pain relief is much more appealing.

With the costs of medications on the rise, some sufferers are looking for alternative arthritis pain relief.

Some people are worried. The arthritis pain relief they are taking may be doing some damage to other areas of their bodies.

The mental game. Rise above the pain:

You must continually focus on what you can do, rather than what you cannot do. Devise strategies and set goals in order to continue living your life to the fullest potential. You must focus on remaining active and maintaining as much independence as possible

Some useful solutions

By using fatty acids which provide lubrication for the joints, the joints will not wear down as much as a result less inflammation and less pain. Some recommend oils are: – Borage Oil – Primrose Oil and – NKO Oil

Vitamin C, E and beta-carotenes are powerful antioxidants that help to neutralize free radicals. These oxygen-reactive free radical molecules are thought to contribute significantly to disease and tissue damage. It has been found that cells from damaged knee cartilage can release great amounts of free radicals. In fact, studies have shown that those who have a high Vitamin C intake have a two-thirds reduction in the risk of further damage to their knees. Well-known scientist Dr. Linus Pauling recommends 18 grams of V-C per day as an arthritis preventative measure.

Selenium deficiency can cause a particular type of arthritis called Kashin-Bek disease, but it is more common where the soil is deficient in selenium, though sufferers of RA have less in their blood than others. Fish, organ meats, whole grains, nuts and beans will provide selenium.

Zinc may help reduce pain, stiffness and swelling. Some trials showed this was true, though others gave conflicting results. Oysters, cheese and tofu are all good sources of zinc.

More arthritis pain relief treatments.

Acupuncture

Animal foods: avoid them. Arachidonic acid found in meat provokes joint inflammation.

Bee/snake venom: Little scientific backing, real chance for allergic reaction.

Chondroitin: helps draw fluid into cartilage, improving shock-absorbing ability.

Elimination diets/weight control: more weight equals more joint pressure. It is debatable if fasting reduces symptoms or not.

Fish oils: controls inflammation in the body. Examples of other oils also used for the same purpose: flax, borage, sesame, sunflower and pumpkin.

Food allergies: linked to many causes for arthritis. Common foods to look out for: wheat, corn, dairy, citrus, salt, caffeine, tomatoes, white potatoes, eggplant and peppers. (Does not include black peppers).

Resources

NutraSanus

Essortmant

Arthritis Foundation

Please send to people you want to lend a hand to.

Arthritis, an inflammation of bone joints, is generally characterized as an illness affecting people over the age of 50, so it can come as a great surprise to parents when their children are diagnosed with some form of it. What may be even more surprising is that roughly 300,000 children in the United States alone have arthritis, and the public is largely unaware of this fact.

The most common form of arthritis affecting children is named juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, affecting about 20% of those 300,000 children, and all parents should be educated on this debilitating disease in children. Doctors are not yet entirely sure what causes juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, but they believe that it is linked to autoimmune diseases, where white blood cells are unable to differentiate between normal and foreign cells.

The Familiar Symptoms

If a child has juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, parents may immediately begin to notice a limp or other signs of soreness among joints. While not uncommon among children by itself, other symptoms may include rashes and spiking fevers. If any of these symptoms occur for an extended length of time, a doctor should be consulted. The faster the diagnosis, the less damage will occur to cartilage and the joints affected by juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Diagnosis

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is easily diagnosed through a wide array of tests, not all of which need to be performed (although at least several likely will be). Diagnostic tools include blood tests, X-rays, and complete physical examinations. Also, tests for other diseases linked to juvenile rheumatoid arthritis may be performed, in addition to referral to an orthopedic surgeon to take samples of joint fluid for testing and further analysis.

A diagnosis usually takes several days. Once the test come back the pediatrician or doctor will work together with the orthopedic surgeon and any other medical professionals to develop a strategy to cure the child of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Easily Treatable

The good news for parents is that juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is easy to treat. Doctors can prescribe medication to help with the swelling and inflammation and referral to a physical therapist. Physical therapists generally point out exercises to improve the arthritis and improve muscle stamina and joint flexibility. Also, regular exercise is vital to ensuring that the child is protected against further arthritis by protecting bones and joints. Treatment serves two purposes: to protect and repair the joints from damage while reducing or eliminating the inflammation and pain.

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis can be an unsettling concept for parents, and it can make a child’s life miserable. This disease can harm their social skills and make them irritable while hindering their physical development. However, through a quick diagnosis and easy treatment, parents can ensure that their children will never be harmed by juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis: What Now, Old Peoples Disease Being Caught By Kids?

We all know that arthritis, inflammation of bone joints, is normally associated with an illness affecting people over the age of 50. Therefore it will come as a massive surprise to parents when their children are diagnosed with it. Even more surprising is the fact that approximately 300,000 children in the United States alone have some form of arthritis, and that we the public are totally unaware of this fact.

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is the most common type of arthritis affecting around 60,000 children. Unfortunately, doctors are not yet certain as to what causes juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, however, there are indications that it is associated with the autoimmune system, where white blood cells are unable to differentiate between normal and foreign cells. Although being dissimilar to the adult form of rheumatoid arthritis

It is imperative that all parents be educated about this debilitating childrens disease..

The Familiar Symptoms

It is quite normal for kids to complain off and on about having sore joints and it is usually put down to growing pains. However, it may actually be more. If your child develops a limp and continually complains of sore joints associated with rashes and spikes in temperature, like fits of fever, this may indicate that juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is present. Under these conditions it is important to get him/her into the doctors surgery asap. The quicker a diagnosis is made the less damage will occur to cartilage and the joints affected by juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Diagnosis

Luckily, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is easily diagnosed, there are a wide array of tests, available some of the more regular Diagnostic tools including blood tests, X-rays, and complete physical examinations are necessary. Other tests for other diseases known to be linked to juvenile rheumatoid arthritis may be performed, it is also likely that a referral to an orthopedic surgeon will be made to take samples of joint fluid for testing and further analysis. A diagnosis usually takes a number of days, upon receipt of the results of these tests, the pediatrician or doctor will work together with the orthopedic surgeon and any other medical professionals to develop a strategy to cure the child of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Easily Treatable

Unlike the adult variety which does not have any known cure, the good news for both the child suffering from juvenile rheumatoid arthritis along with the parents is that

this form of the disease is easy to treat. Doctors can prescribe medication to help with the swelling and inflammation of the joints along with a referral to a physical therapist. Who design and implement a set of exercises to improve the arthritis and improve muscle stamina and joint flexibility. Regular exercise is vitally important to ensure that the child is protected against further arthritis by protecting bones and joints. Treatment actually serves two purposes:

1. to protect and repair the joints from damage , and

2. reducing or eliminating the inflammation and pain.

The nature of the disease makes a child’s life miserable. This disease can harm their social skills and make them irritable while hindering their physical development

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is unsettling for parents, and is likely to necessitate major changes in lifestyle to insure that their child’s overall health is ensured and wont be harmed by the disease.

Anybody who went through the pain of arthritis and its symptoms knows the importance of finding an effective cure to manage the arthritis pain. The sometimes devastating symptoms of the arthritis condition will greatly influence your life, the quality of your life and even be a serious hindrance in the level of activities that you could normally handle.

But don’t despair, arthritis pain can be managed and the sooner you get on top of the situation, the greater the effect of the pain management will be.

What is the cause of arthritis pain?

A normal, unaffected joint has cartilage of a certain thickness on the bones. This thickness can vary from one joint to another. The more stress a joint is supposed to take, the thicker the cartilage. In time however some of the cartilage can wear off and in extreme cases the bones themselves rub against each other without any protection from the cartilage.

The wear of the cartilage can create other symptoms like oedema, this is swelling of the surrounding tissues of the joint and arthritis pain. The affected joints become less mobile as well. Arthritis is mostly found in older persons since it is mostly an affection that is induced by the wear of the joints through the continuous use.

Sometimes however, in the case of osteoarthritis, even younger adults can be affected. It is most common in individuals who put excessive strain on their joints through high level sport or heavy labor.

How to treat arthritis pain?

Medication is your best bet for the treatment of arthritis pain. Look for medication that controls the swelling of the surrounding tissues and eases the pain that comes with the diminished capacity of shock absorbing from the cartilage. It is important to find an effective medication against the arthritis pain, because you need to keep your joints moving. If any of them is causing you too much pain, you will try to avoid too much movement and that in itself will cause further stiffness and pain.

Effective arthritis pain control keeps yourself active and your muscles firm and flexible.

If you are looking for over-the-counter medication, there is a choice between several medications: be on the lookout for medication that can treat the pain as well as manage and reduce the swelling. Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or naproxen may very well do the trick for you in keeping the arthritis pain in line. But if you don’t get enough relief from these types of medications, your doctor can prescribe other, even more effective products.

As difficult an illness arthritis is to get around with, arthritis pain does not have to be the burden that prevents you from having a full and active life. As always, the sooner one can intervene, the better and easier the arthritis pain will be manageable. Exercises and medication will help you to keep on top of things. An arthritis diagnosis is not the end of your active life.

Arthritis isn’t just 1 disease; it’s a complex disorder that comprises more than 100 distinct conditions and can affect people at any stage of life. Two of the most common forms are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis is a joint disorder featuring inflammation. There are many forms of arthritis (over one hundred and growing). The forms range from those related to wear and tear of cartilage (such as osteoarthritis) to those associated with inflammation resulting from an over-active immune system (such as rheumatoid arthritis).

Forty-six million Americans report that a doctor told them they have arthritis or other rheumatic conditions. Arthritis is the most common cause of disability in the United States, limiting the activities of nearly 19 million adults. The CDC Arthritis Program is working to improve the quality of life for people affected by arthritis and other rheumatic conditions by working with states and other partners to increase awareness about appropriate arthritis self management activities and expanding the reach of programs proven to improve the quality of life for people with arthritis.

Arthritis has reached pandemic levels in the western world. About 70 million Americans nearly one in three people are reported to have it in one of its 100 varieties, ranging from the most common, osteoarthritis, to the crippling rheumatoid arthritis, and including gout and lupus. The situation is no better in Britain where unofficial estimates reckon nine out of every 10 people will suffer from it in some form before they die.

Signs and Symptoms

There are many different signs and symptoms of arthritis. If you have experienced pain, stiffness, or swelling around a joint for more than two weeks, you should visit your physician. Only a physician can determine if you are suffering from symptoms of arthritis. You need to find out which type you have in order to start the best course of arthritis treatment. These arthritis symptoms may come up suddenly or slowly over time and may also include sleeplessness, fatigue, depression, and muscle aches.

Although the severity and range of symptoms of psoriatic arthritis can vary in each person, common symptoms include:

• Stiffness, pain, swelling and tenderness of the joints and surrounding soft tissue

• Reduced range of motion

• Morning stiffness and tiredness

• Nail changes, including small indentations in the nail, called pitting, or lifting of the nail, which occurs in 80 percent of people with psoriatic arthritis

Signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis may include:

• Joint pain

• Joint swelling

• Joints that are tender to the touch

• Red and puffy hands

• Firm bumps of tissue under the skin on your arms (rheumatoid nodules)

• Fatigue

Causes of Arthritis

Heredity: Scientists have discovered that the genetic marker HLA-DR4 is linked to rheumatoid arthritis; so, if you happen to have this gene, you’re more likely to develop the disease. For example, ankylosing spondylitis is linked to the genetic marker HLA-B27, and although having this gene doesn’t mean that you will absolutely get this form of arthritis, you can if conditions are right.

Tumor necrosis factor: TNF is a substance the body produces that causes inflammation and may play a part in initiating or maintaining rheumatoid arthritis. Although scientists are unsure exactly what triggers rheumatoid arthritis, they have found that drugs that counteract the effects of TNF, called TNF antagonists, are often helpful in managing the symptoms of this disease.