There are over 100 rheumatoid and joint related diseases all within the coverage of the term "arthritis". When one mentions arthritis, one can imagine that inherent, possibly teeth-grinding gnawing sensation in the joints. The word "arthritis" literally means inflammation of the joints and with it being a common by-word, most may have the impression that it is negligible. There are millions of arthritis sufferers in the United States alone and they usually have a wide array of this disease to contend with. There are more women who suffer from arthritis than men, but even children are not spared as there is such thing called as juvenile arthritis.

It can manifest in different joint locations in the body, has different causes and entails varied treatment measures. Arthritis is undoubtedly one of the most prevalent diseases that can cause a major discomfort and as such, it must be addressed accordingly. One of the most common types of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis to this point is still veiled with misunderstanding and uncertainty. Experts, however suspect several culprits which instigate rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is besically regarded as an autoimmune disease. By autoimmune disease, it means that the body’s immune system turns against itself. Antibodies within the body called white blood cells are supposedly the guardians of the whole system serving to fight and ward off foreign elements.

But in the case of an autoimmune disorder, the antibodies attack the body’s own tissues. Researches obtained findings that the occurrence of rheumatoid arthritis has to do with the amount of rheumatoid elements in the blood. Rheumatoids in the blood are responsible in directing the white blood cells, and increased levels of rheumatoids can cause a malfunction in the immune system. It has been therefore concluded that rheumatoid arthritis arises from heightened levels of rheumatoid factors in the blood. Further studies stated that rheumatoid arthritis may be viral in nature as well. This condition is said to be instigated by an infection in the immune system although this may need further evidence.

A person’s genetic make up may also have an association with rheumatoid arthritis as a genetic defect can also be its contributing factor. As with most kinds of arthritis, women are more predisposed to suffer from the disease than men. Ongoing researches cited that there may be a link between female hormonal processes and the cause of rheumatoid arthritis. Although pregnant women are less likely to be afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis due to decreased rheumatoid amounts in the blood, the condition can possibly recur after giving birth. Environmental factors are also considered as a contributing factor to the disease. Extreme cold weather can possibly cause the manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis.

With all these possible attributing elements to the disease, the classic symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis still remain and they are stiffness, tenderness and inflammation of the joints which limit flexibility and movement. In its chronic stages, rheumatoid arthritis can affect the surrounding organs as well therefore proper preventive measures such as regular, proper exercise and a healthy diet augmented by vitamin and mineral sufficient health supplements should be implemented to intervene with the onset of rheumatoid arthritis.