Think of the term arthritis and the mind automatically conjectures images of elderly people with joint pains. Yet, did you know that certain types of arthritis can strike irrespective of age? Rheumatoid arthritis is a form of arthritis that affects the joints. A chronic inflammatory disease, this type of arthritis can strike at any age. Let us take a look at seven interesting facts on rheumatoid arthritis.

1. It is an autoimmune disorder
An autoimmune disorder is one in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in the body. In rheumatoid arthritis , the immune system attacks the healthy lining of your joints, causing painful inflammation, swelling, and stiffness. Thus, rheumatoid arthritis is different from osteoarthritis, which is a degenerative disease that sets in with age. The exact cause for autoimmune diseases is not known till date, though medical researchers have found that it tends to run in the genes.

2. Age is no barrier
Unlike with regular arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis can shockingly set in at any age. The average age for people to develop this condition ranges between 30 to 60 years. However, medical data has shown that even children, who are prone to autoimmune conditions, can develop rheumatoid arthritis.

3. Increased risk for heart disease
Medical studies have long proven a link between the onset of rheumatoid arthritis and an increased risk of developing heart disease. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis often develop cardiovascular complications that can lead to atherosclerosis, heart attack, and stroke. Thus, they need to get screened for heart disease regularly.

4. Know the main symptoms
The main symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are similar to those of osteoarthritis. These include stiff joints, pain in motion, the warmth of skin the affected area, and increased intensity of symptoms early in the morning. Certain additional symptoms include muscle pain, constant fatigue, fever that seems to persist for a long period of time, and muscle ache.  These symptoms are often treated with drugs like xeljanz for rheumatoid arthritis pain and inflammation.

5. Aggressive treatment works best
Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition that should be treated early and aggressively. This is because it eats away at the healthy lining of joints. The longer the treatment is delayed, the greater the chances of developing related health complications such as lymphoma, osteoporosis, or heart disease. Rheumatoid arthritis never goes away by itself, and home remedies should not be the only recourse of treatment.  For instance, doctors may prescribe RA medications xeljanz, humira, and olumiant medicine for RA pain relief.

6. Exercise works like medicine
A popularly held belief is that exercise is bad for arthritis as it can worsen the wear and tear on your joints. Yet, research has proved that regular exercise can, in fact, improve joint health and mobility. Additionally, exercise helps alleviate the symptoms of pain associated with arthritis, and it also releases endorphins, which keep you feeling positive. Moreover, exercise helps keep off additional weight, which is bad for arthritis symptoms.

7. Women are more affected than men
While osteoarthritis affects both sexes equally, rheumatoid arthritis is seen to affect women more than men. The exact cause for this is not yet known. Some researchers believe that hormonal fluctuations may be a cause.

8. Talk to a doctor
Regular check ups and medication updates with your doctor are vital to RA pain management. For instance, doctors keep a close eye on medication (i.e., Xeljanz) dosages and may be able to provide patients with Xeljanz prescription coupons.