Rheumatoid arthritis risks and causes

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease for which the causes are still unknown, though experts believe genetics are at play. Vonda Wright, MD, a Sharecare medical advisor, explains this along with other possible risks and causes.

Transcript

00:00

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease.

00:06

And we don't know yet what causes a person's immune system to attack its own healthy cells.

00:13

Most experts believe there is some genetic cause, because if you have a relative with RA, you are likely to develop the disease yourself.

00:23

RA can occur at any age, but tends to happen between ages 40 and 60. And women are more likely to develop the disease than men.

00:33

Smoking does seem to increase your risk of developing RA, especially if you already have a family history of the disease.

00:41

Smoking also seems to make RA severe in those who already have it. Some environmental factors, like exposure to asbestos or silica

00:51

seem to increase the risk of rheumatoid arthritis as well, as does obesity, particularly in younger women.

00:59

Every case of rheumatoid arthritis is different, but there are several good treatment options that can help you live your life