Rheumatoid Arthritis - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis & Treatments | Arthritis Society Canada

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What is rheumatoid arthritis?

graphic of a hand with an arthritic joint Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common, autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and pain in multiple joints of the body.

An autoimmune disease happens when the body’s immune system, which normally functions to protect against infections, attacks healthy tissues by mistake. In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system attacks the lining of joints leading to inflammation, swelling, pain, and stiffness. Inflammation is like a fire. It can spread throughout the body and damage areas it touches.

If the fire is not put out, it can lead to damage of the joints and loss of function. The “fire” of inflammation can also affect other organs, such as the nerves, eyes, skin, lungs or heart.

The cause of rheumatoid arthritis is still unknown. There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis but there are many effective ways to “put out the fire,” including medications and other therapies that help the symptoms and results of inflammation.

Click on the cards below to learn about rheumatoid arthritis and how to manage it to live well.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Learn about the symptoms and process to receiving a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. Learn about the symptoms and process to receiving a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.

Treatment Options

Learn about medications and treatment plans used to manage rheumatoid arthritis. Learn about medications and treatment plans used to manage rheumatoid arthritis.

Inflammatory Arthritis Self-Management

Explore forms of self-management for inflammatory arthritis, including joint protection, exercises, relaxation techniques, and eating well. Explore forms of self-management for inflammatory arthritis, including joint protection, exercises, relaxation techniques, and eating well.

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Online Learning Guides

Learning modules to help you cope and thrive when living with rheumatoid arthritis.

Managing Pain

Staying Active

Eating Well

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Arthritis Talks Webinars

Arthritis Talks webinars on the latest guidance direct from arthritis experts to help you get more out of life with inflammatory arthritis.

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This information was last updated September 2023, with expert advice from:

Bindee Kuriya, MD, SM, FRCPC
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine
Division of Rheumatology University of Toronto

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