Table of Contents
What are 5 risk factors of arthritis?
Risk factors
- Family history. Some types of arthritis run in families, so you may be more likely to develop arthritis if your parents or siblings have the disorder.
- Age.
- Your sex.
- Previous joint injury.
- Obesity.
Who is most likely to be affected by rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis affects more than 1.3 million people in the United States. It is 2.5 times more common in women than in men. It usually occurs in people who are between the ages of 20 and 50; however, young children and the elderly can also develop rheumatoid arthritis.
What gene causes rheumatoid arthritis?
The most significant genetic risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis are variations in human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes , especially the HLA-DRB1 gene. The proteins produced from HLA genes help the immune system distinguish the body’s own proteins from proteins made by foreign invaders (such as viruses and bacteria).
Is RA auto immune?
Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease, which means that your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body by mistake, causing inflammation (painful swelling) in the affected parts of the body. RA mainly attacks the joints, usually many joints at once.
Can stress bring on rheumatoid arthritis?
Research says that rheumatoid arthritis can be caused by stress. Stress triggers rheumatoid arthritis by setting off the immune system’s inflammatory response in which cytokines are released.
Do certain foods increase your risk of rheumatoid arthritis?
A diet high in trans fats can potentially worsen the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Any foods that are highly processed or cooked with hydrogenated oils likely contain trans fats. Many meat products are produced by adding preservatives, artificial ingredients, hormones, and other additives.
Can rheumatoid arthritis kill you?
However, one type of arthritis called rheumatoid arthritis ( RA) is associated with a shorter lifespan of 10 to 15 years. RA itself is not fatal, but severe RA can cause complications such as narrowed or blocked heart arteries, scarring of the lungs, and blood cancers that can shorten life expectancy.
How does rheumatoid arthritis increase heart disease risk?
Reasons Rheumatoid Arthritis Raises the Risk of Heart Problems Inflammation harms your heart and vessels. Rheumatoid arthritis is, at its core, an inflammatory disorder. HDL (“good”) cholesterol doesn’t do its job as well. “Bad” LDL (low-density lipoprotein) is the type of cholesterol (blood fat) that raises your risk of heart disease and stroke Traditional heart disease risk factors get magnified.