What is rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in multiple joints. It’s important that rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed promptly so that effective treatment can be given as early as possible. Read more
What are the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis?
Common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include painful, swollen joints, stiffness and fatigue. Read more
What causes rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, in which your immune system starts attacking the body's own tissues, causing inflammation. However, it's not yet clear why the immune system behaves in this way. Read more
What is the outlook for rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is quite variable so it's difficult to predict how it might develop for you. However, we do know that modern treatments have greatly improved the outlook especially when they are started promptly. Read more
How is rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed?
No single test can give a definite diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, especially in the early stages. Doctors arrive at a diagnosis based on your symptoms, a physical examination and the results of various blood tests and scans. Read more
What treatments are there for rheumatoid arthritis?
There’s no cure for rheumatoid arthritis yet, but modern treatments can ease the symptoms and alter the way the disease progresses to keep joint damage to a minimum. And the earlier you start treatment, the more effective it’s likely to be. Read more
Self-help and daily living for rheumatoid arthritis
Self-help tips for rheumatoid arthritis include striking a balance between rest and exercise, especially when you're having a flare-up, and protecting your joints from unnecessary strain. Read more
Research and new developments for rheumatoid arthritis
Research has given us a better understanding of the process of inflammation, and this has led to much more effective treatments for rheumatoid arthritis. Read more