Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition in which the body’s immune system attacks its own joints. It is not just joint pain, but if not treated properly, it can affect the structure of the joints itself. The main causes are:
Autoimmune disorders: The body’s immune cells mistakenly attack the lining (synovium) around the joints as a foreign object. This causes severe swelling and pain in the joints.
Genetics: If there are people in the family who have rheumatoid arthritis, others are more likely to get it. Some specific genes increase the risk of this disease.
Hormonal changes: Rheumatoid arthritis is more common in women than men. Changes in hormones such as estrogen can cause the disease.
Infections: Some types of bacterial or viral infections can stimulate the body’s immune system in a wrong way, which can later turn into rheumatoid arthritis.
Smoking and environmental factors: Smoking not only increases the risk of developing asthma but also increases the severity of the disease. Air pollution is also said to be a cause.
