How do our own bodies cause our immune systems to run amok? Although it’s a cryptic problem scrutinized by scientists for decades, the answers are yet to be defined. The exact causes of rheumatoid arthritis are still in the dark, but using varied researches and experimentations, some possible factors have been revealed as potential causes of the condition.
Roughly 1.2 million people suffer from rheumatoid arthritis in the United States alone. They form approximately 0.5% to 1% of the country’s adult population. Recent studies and surveys are showing a declining trend in the number of individuals afflicted by it, and this could be due to a decrease in factors linked to the causes of rheumatoid arthritis. A closer analysis of these factors could provide some useful insights into the ailment.
Middle age is often when the symptoms start to come up, but that doesn’t mean younger people don’t get afflicted. Rheumatoid arthritis affects women more than men, causing most of the damage in older women. Although most causes of rheumatoid arthritis are now identified, medication and treatment are still expensive for the ordinary income earner.
While genetic (hereditary) factors are believed to be the primary causes of rheumatoid arthritis, there’s still the necessity to trigger the condition, and this is believed to be caused by environmental factors. Some have the genetic mapping for symptomatic rheumatoid arthritis, while others are only gene carriers. This revelation points in the direction of figuring out what the triggers are for inducing the condition. There is a single gene associated with developing rheumatoid arthritis, but it doesn’t become dominant unless certain other secondary factors influence it.
With regard to environmental factors, which can be the possible triggers, viruses and bacteria are suspected, although the exact catalyst or agent is unclear. Rheumatoid arthritis is not contagious, as it does not belong to any diseases category. Other factors believed to be causes of rheumatoid arthritis are hormonally-induced such as those secreted in pregnant and breastfeeding women. Contraceptives are also believed to modify the possibilities of developing rheumatoid arthritis.
Typically, immune system molecules known as interleukin 12 (IL-12) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) are thought to be the major causes of rheumatoid arthritis in pregnant women. These molecules produce swelling in reaction to certain external triggers and causes tissue destruction at times, which are the primary symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Since rheumatoid arthritis limits physical activity and causes severe joint aches, many who suffer from the condition are also susceptible to depression, anxiety and other generalized mental health problems.
All questions regarding this condition have not been resolved, but extensive research activities will soon identify the exact causes of rheumatoid arthritis, and then a cure will be found.
Around twenty million Americans suffer from arthritis and this figure will increase to 60 million by 2020. Learn what are causes of rheumatoid arthritis and how you can enjoy your life despite of arthritis at www.arthritis-treatment-guide.info/news