About RA
Rheumatoid Arthritis Information
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a complex disease of the immune system that affects over 2 million Americans.1 It mistakenly
attacks healthy joints, causing pain, swelling, stiffness and damage that get worse over time.
The hard truth about rheumatoid arthritis.
No matter how you look at it, rheumatoid arthritis is a serious disease. It could cause permanent joint damage within the
first 12 months. And as RA gets worse, it can:
- Affect both your work and home life.
- Make it difficult to do even the simplest tasks and limit your independence.
- Cause feelings of depression.
- Decrease your life expectancy.
If you have rheumatoid arthritis — or think you may have it — you should see a rheumatologist (a doctor with specialized
knowledge and training in the treatment of RA).
Don't wait to get help.
Effectively treating rheumatoid arthritis as soon as possible is essential. Here's why:
- The pain, stiffness and fatigue can be relieved sooner.
- Joint damage can be slowed or even prevented from getting worse.
- You can potentially avoid disability.