What causes our immune systems to turn against our own bodies? This is a mystery scientists have tried to solve for a long time and the causes of rheumatoid arthritis are still not completely clear. But, with the help of research, study groups and many experiments, a few factors and possibilities have been linked to rheumatoid arthritis.
In the US, 1.2 million adults, equaling 0.5 to 1 percent of the population, are rheumatoid arthritis patients. However, the numbers are declining positively, revealing some secrets of the possible causes of rheumatoid arthritis. More research into the decline will be able provide more understanding of how it all begins.
Rheumatoid Arthritis is generally known to affect middle aged or older people when one or more symptoms begin to appear. However, the condition affecting younger people is not exactly unheard of. The condition interestingly shows a gender bias towards women, as it is most often seen in women. Some of the causes of rheumatoid arthritis are now known, and though preventive measures can be adopted, its treatment once the problem sets in, is quite expensive. In fact, the treatment and medication for this disease proves to be a major financial drain on an average income family.
While genetic (hereditary) factors are believed to be the primary causes of rheumatoid arthritis, there's still the necessity to trigger the condition, and this is believed to be caused by environmental factors. Some have the genetic mapping for symptomatic rheumatoid arthritis, while others are only gene carriers. This revelation points in the direction of figuring out what the triggers are for inducing the condition. There is a single gene associated with developing rheumatoid arthritis, but it doesn't become dominant unless certain other secondary factors influence it.
Viruses and bacteria are believed to be the most common triggers in giving rise to rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is noninfectious and is not classified as a disease. Secondary triggers believed to be causes of rheumatoid arthritis are hormonal, such as pregnancy and lactation. Oral contraceptives and other hormonal therapy can also be causes.
In pregnant women, the primary causes of rheumatoid arthritis are believed to be two immune system molecules ? interleukin 12 (IL-12) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a). These cause the main rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, such as the swelling and tissue degradation in response to various environmental triggers. Rheumatoid arthritis can also cause depression, anxiety and a general feeling of incapability and illness in patients, because of the severe physical limitations imposed on the sufferer.
Not all the answers are crystal clear yet, but there will be a day when extensive research, experimentation, clinical trials and gene therapy find ways to eliminate the trigger potential of the known causes of rheumatoid arthritis. Eventually, this will lead to the discovery of a complete cure for the condition.
In the US, 1.2 million adults, equaling 0.5 to 1 percent of the population, are rheumatoid arthritis patients. However, the numbers are declining positively, revealing some secrets of the possible causes of rheumatoid arthritis. More research into the decline will be able provide more understanding of how it all begins.
Rheumatoid Arthritis is generally known to affect middle aged or older people when one or more symptoms begin to appear. However, the condition affecting younger people is not exactly unheard of. The condition interestingly shows a gender bias towards women, as it is most often seen in women. Some of the causes of rheumatoid arthritis are now known, and though preventive measures can be adopted, its treatment once the problem sets in, is quite expensive. In fact, the treatment and medication for this disease proves to be a major financial drain on an average income family.
While genetic (hereditary) factors are believed to be the primary causes of rheumatoid arthritis, there's still the necessity to trigger the condition, and this is believed to be caused by environmental factors. Some have the genetic mapping for symptomatic rheumatoid arthritis, while others are only gene carriers. This revelation points in the direction of figuring out what the triggers are for inducing the condition. There is a single gene associated with developing rheumatoid arthritis, but it doesn't become dominant unless certain other secondary factors influence it.
Viruses and bacteria are believed to be the most common triggers in giving rise to rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is noninfectious and is not classified as a disease. Secondary triggers believed to be causes of rheumatoid arthritis are hormonal, such as pregnancy and lactation. Oral contraceptives and other hormonal therapy can also be causes.
In pregnant women, the primary causes of rheumatoid arthritis are believed to be two immune system molecules ? interleukin 12 (IL-12) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a). These cause the main rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, such as the swelling and tissue degradation in response to various environmental triggers. Rheumatoid arthritis can also cause depression, anxiety and a general feeling of incapability and illness in patients, because of the severe physical limitations imposed on the sufferer.
Not all the answers are crystal clear yet, but there will be a day when extensive research, experimentation, clinical trials and gene therapy find ways to eliminate the trigger potential of the known causes of rheumatoid arthritis. Eventually, this will lead to the discovery of a complete cure for the condition.
About the Author:
Around twenty million Americans suffer from arthritis and this figure will increase to 60 million by 2020. Find out what are causes of rheumatoid arthritis and how you can enjoy your life despite of arthritis at www.arthritis-treatment-guide.info/news
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