Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a type of arthritis that mainly attacks joints. According to the website Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms and Treatment, the disease can also attack human organs sometimes.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease; the immune cells attack the healthy tissues of our body. But, medical scientists and researchers have not been able to figure out why such cases happen. Common causes behind rheumatoid arthritis are:

• Viral or bacterial attack
• Environmental causes
• Lifestyle
• Accident involving joints
• Genetic factors

Women fall prey to this disease more than men. For women, pregnancy, breastfeeding and contraceptive pills are said to have a role behind developing rheumatoid arthritis.

Common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are: joint pain and swelling, stiffness, inflammation, limited movement, redness around the infected joint and fatigue.

It is always advised to consult a rheumatologist if you experience the above mentioned symptoms. A rheumatologist can suggest you proper medication, diet, exercise and therapies to reduce joint pain and swelling.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is not 100% curable, but proper treatment can lessen the pain. There are many groups that offer rheumatoid arthritis help to the victims; the patients need mental support along with medical treatment. So, always be sympathetic and supportive to those who are diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis; mental support works more than medicines sometimes.