Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis Causes and How to Manage the Pain

Rheumatoid Arthritis Causes stem from a malfunctioning immune system that mistakenly attacks healthy joint tissues. This autoimmune response leads to chronic inflammation, pain, and progressive joint damage. Researchers believe that a combination of genetic factors, environmental triggers, and hormonal influences contribute to the onset of rheumatoid arthritis. For example, smoking, obesity, and certain infections may increase the risk in genetically predisposed individuals.

September marks Rheumatic Disease Awareness Month (RDAM), an initiative led by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) to spotlight over 100 rheumatic conditions—including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, gout, and fibromyalgia. The campaign aims to educate the public, promote early diagnosis, and advocate for better treatment options.

Rheumatic diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, are autoimmune and inflammatory disorders that affect the joints, bones, muscles, and sometimes internal organs. These conditions fall under the broader category of arthritis. Consequently, they often cause persistent pain, swelling, stiffness, and fatigue. Over time, they can severely impact mobility and quality of life. Fortunately, treatment options have advanced significantly. Doctors now use a combination of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and biologics to control symptoms and slow disease progression. In severe cases, joint replacement surgery may be necessary to restore function. Finally, raising awareness during RDAM helps individuals recognize early symptoms, seek timely care, and access resources that improve long-term outcomes.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Causes

Some causes of Rheumatic Arthritis are:

• Genes and family history
• Environmental triggers
• Lifestyle choices
• Infection
• Trauma
• Metabolic problems
• Injury or stress on a joint or joints

Symptoms of Rheumatic Disease:

Common symptoms of Rheumatic Disease are:

1. Joint Pain
2. Fatigue
3. Swelling of the joints
4. Joint stiffness that lasts for at least one hour in the early morning
5. Warmth or redness in a joint area
6. Limited movement in the affected area

How Rheumatic Disease Is Diagnosed: Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis Causes

1. One of the most common Rheumatoid Arthritis Causes: Ankylosing Spondylitis

A common Rheumatic Disease that affects the spine is Ankylosing spondylitis. This condition affects the lower back and mostly affects young adults.

2. Fibromyalgia

A common Rheumatic Disease affecting our muscles and tendons is Fibromyalgia. Commonly, it involves pain and stiffness.

3. Gout

The presence of uric acid crystals in the joints can cause gout. Consequently, it is often referred to as ‘big toe,’ characterized by frequent swelling and pain.

4. Lupus

Lupus is an autoimmune rheumatic disease that starts attacking and damaging the healthy cells and tissues of our body.

5. Osteoarthritis

The most common rheumatic disease that affects older people is Osteoarthritis. Consequently, it damages our cartilage and bones, often leading to disability.

6. Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis usually affects those with a psoriasis skin infection. It is an autoimmune rheumatic disease that causes pain in our fingers and toes.

7. Rheumatoid Arthritis Causes Explained Through Two Common Rheumatic Conditions

Infectious arthritis: Bacterial or fungal infections cause infectious arthritis, leading to pain and inflammation. A common example is Lyme disease, which results from bacterial contact.

Reactive arthritis: This disease causes skin rashes, eye problems, and mouth sores, and stems from an infection in the urinary tract and bowel.

How is Rheumatic Disease Diagnosed?

A single test cannot diagnose this disease. Therefore, your doctor might discuss the symptoms and recommend a few lab tests to identify the potential cause of the condition. X-rays, blood tests, CT scans, MRI scans are a few tests that identify the underlying cause.

The rheumatic disease may last for a few days to several years.

Once diagnosed, the doctor may recommend one or more of the following treatments to address rheumatoid arthritis causes:

Once diagnosed, doctors take action to manage rheumatoid arthritis effectively.

• They often begin with medications to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. For example, they may prescribe oral analgesics like acetaminophen. These help control mild discomfort.
• Additionally, stronger pain relief may come from prescription opioids such as oxycodone or hydrocodone. However, doctors use these cautiously due to potential side effects and dependency risks.
• Next, they may recommend topical analgesics, in the form of creams and gels. Therefore, patients can apply them directly to affected joints.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen are also common treatments. They reduce swelling and ease joint stiffness.
• Furthermore, if medications aren’t enough, doctors may consider disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).
• In more advanced cases, surgery may be necessary. Procedures like joint replacement or tendon repair can restore mobility and reduce pain.

Lastly, treatment plans vary based on the severity of symptoms and patient needs. Early and consistent care leads to better outcomes and improved quality of life.

Other Ways to Address Rheumatoid Arthritis Causes

There are some therapeutic approaches to address rheumatoid arthritis causes

• Physiotherapy
• Occupational therapy
• Hot and cold therapy
• Splints, braces, and assistive devices

Contact our pharmacists to know more about this disease and its treatment.