Rheumatoid arthritis
An autoimmune condition called rheumatoid arthritis (RA) causes your immune system to attack the lining of your joints, which results in inflammation. In some people, the condition can damage various body systems, including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart and blood vessels. Chronic inflammation can boost metabolism and help people lose weight overall.
Joint discomfort and swelling are RA symptoms. On both sides of your body, the same joints are typically affected. If you don't move for an hour or more and have RA, your joints could feel stiff.
There is no known cause for RA. It might be related to the following:
- Age
- Genes
- Hormonal changes
- Smoking
- Secondhand smoking
- Obesity
- ...
