Rheumatoid Arthritis Cause: What Lies Within?

The true rheumatoid arthritis cause is still a mystery. Researchers and scientists are still clueless about this issue as they simply cannot find any evidence for which the immune system would turn against its own self. However, there are some factors that these researchers have pointed out as potential, yet probable causes of rheumatoid arthritis, read to discover what lies within:

Genetic or Hereditary Factors:

It has been discovered by scientists that some genes are known very well to play an important role in our immune system and these genes are allied with the tendency of developing rheumatoid arthritis. Some people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis might not have these genes; but others might have these genes in them, but not the disease. Though contradictory, but this suggests that the genetic factors can play a very important role in analyzing and determining whether or not a person is likely to develop the disease. However, it isn?t the sole factor though. But it is quite clear that one gene cannot make all the difference; more genes are involved in the development of the disease.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Factor Explained

Rheumatoid arthritis factor or RA or RF, is basically an antibody. It can easily attack itself to substances in our body known as immunoglobulin G or IgG to form a molecule called immune complex. This immune complex can actually trigger various diseases and particularly the ones that cause inflammation process in our body. It is very much present in the human blood and a lab test can measure the level of RA factor.

Antibodies are like general protein contained in the body and they also function within our immune system. The rheumatoid factor, which is an immunoglobulin, can actually bind itself to the other antibodies present to trigger a disease. However, rheumatoid factor isn?t found normally in most of the populace; only about 1-2% of the healthy people are likely to suffer from this problem. The frequency of rheumatoid factor is likely to accelerate with age. It has been observed that almost 20% of humans above the age of 65 years have increased rheumatoid factor.

Patients having positive rheumatoid factors are at an increased risk of various aggressive diseases like joint inflammation, rheumatoid lung or eye inflammation. These conditions are extremely painful and can be very distressing as well. Also, rheumatoid nodules are quite common amongst people having positive rheumatoid factor. These nodules or lumps can be found in the elbows.

Stress Causes Rheumatoid Arthritis ? Proven

It has been reportedly said by many patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis that sudden episodes of trauma or stress preceded the commencement of the symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis. It is said that the pain tends to get more intense and the flares are greater than usual. While it is almost impossible to measure the degree of stress, some researchers however, have given clues that certain stressful events, like the death of someone, accidents, failures, rejections, loss of job and emotional set backs often leads to stress. These symptoms tend to manifest greatly in people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and also aggravate the conditions.

But is there any such concrete evidence to prove that stress causes rheumatoid arthritis? Can stress actually aggravate the condition of a rheumatoid arthritic patient?