1. Do you know why you have RA?
a. First, RA is an autoimmune disorder which results from your immune system mistaking your normal cells for foreign cells and attacking /destroying them.
2. What is the cause of the pain?
a. Well when the immune system attacks the lining of the membrane surrounding your (synovium) joints, inflammation occurs, the constant inflammation of the joints thickens the membrane lining and wears away the cartilage and bone in your joints causing the physical pain we experience.
There are other risk factors that can and will increase your likelihood of experiencing RA, they did in mines.
Things like:
3. Gender and age
o Did you know that woman are much more likely to suffer from this autoimmune disorder and its more likely to hit you in your middle (40-60).
o Weight has its part in it too. Overweight individuals are more prone to developing RA.
For myself I am 20lb over for my height and lord knows I can feel it. Then there is smoking, if you smoke, I am asking you to please stop. For most of my adult life I smoked and for the last 15 years I have not but for me by the time I had stopped the damage was done. Studies show that if you smoke, you are more likely to develop RA. If you develop it your system may be more pronounced than those who do not smoke.
The last thing for me was environment. I needed somewhere warm because the cold air hurts my joints so much. Environmental exposure has been found to elevate the risk of RA, including exposure to asbestos and silica.
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