Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic condition that affects the joints. This is an autoimmune disease, which implies that the immune system of the affected person mistakenly consider the body’s tissues to be harmful bacteria and therefore, produces antibodies to attack these tissues. These tissues are in fact the healthy bone tissues that are necessary for new bone formation. The basic rheumatoid arthritis symptoms are pain, swelling, and inflammation in the affected joints. There can be various factors that can lead to this condition.

Common factors causing rheumatoid arthritis
As this condition progresses, the rheumatoid arthritis symptoms become quite unbearable. You may want to seek different treatment options to relieve your symptoms, but the best approach is to understand the cause of your condition and thereby choose an appropriate treatment.

• Virus, fungi or bacteria
  Some studies indicate that these germs and microorganisms are a prominent cause of rheumatoid arthritis. However, it has not been proven that they alone can cause this condition. But yes, it is sure that these microorganisms do play a pivotal role in aggravating the rheumatoid arthritis symptoms as well as for progression of the condition. That is because these microbes trigger the body’s immune system to react.
• Genes
  There is substantial evidence that indicates that in about 80% of cases, rheumatoid arthritis is inherited. This is the reason why people who have a family history of any type of arthritis should be very keen in watching out for rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. Earlier detection of the condition helps in managing it better.
• Changes in hormone levels
  Drastic variations in the levels of hormones in the human body can also be a reason that can cause rheumatoid arthritis. This is particularly observed in women. When a woman is pregnant, there is a rather high increase of progesterone and estrogen. However, post childbirth, the levels of these hormones drastically decrease. Many women, who are prone to rheumatoid arthritis for whatever reasons generally, experience rheumatoid arthritis symptoms during their post-pregnancy phase.

Apart from the above, exposure to certain allergens and smoking can also be considered as causes of rheumatoid arthritis. In both these cases, the immune system of the body is impacted and thereby, there is a greater risk of developing this condition.