goodtoknow says: Around 1 in 50 people will get Rheumatoid Arthritis, one of the most common forms of arthritis which affects three times as many women as men. But don't panic if you've been diagnosed because there are lots of successful treatments which can help you lead a full and relatively normal life. The main symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis are pain and stiffness in the joints, particularly the hands, wrists and feet, which is usually worse in the morning. Most people have good spells followed by 'flare ups' which can remain mild for many years.

For a full medical explanation of the causes, symptoms and treatments of rheumatoid arthritis from patient.co.uk, read on.

Rheumatoid arthritis causes inflammation, pain, and swelling of joints. In time, affected joints typically become damaged. The severity can vary from mild to severe. Treatments include medication to ease the pain, and medication to slow down the progression of the disease. Surgery is needed in some cases if a joint becomes badly damaged.

What is rheumatoid arthritis?

Arthritis means inflammation of joints. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common form of arthritis. About 1 in 50 people develop RA at some stage in their life. It can happen to anyone. It is not a hereditary disease. It can develop at any age, but most commonly starts between the ages of 40 and 60. It is three times more common in women than in men.

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