What causes RA

[Heather]

Does anyone really know what causes Rheumatoid Arthritis? Is it environmental, or do we do something to our joints, or is it purely gene related?

[leighdu]

It could be one or both of those reason, or other reasons too. A lot more research needs to be done on RA. Hopefully we will all know more about the direct causes soon, though the ones you are mentioned have been shown to be reasons.

[kageyd]

Heather, I agree with Leigh. The "cause" is that certain abnormal white blood cells start to attack connective tissues. But what makes those cells become abnormal is probably: 1. genes, in some people, especially for juvenile RA; 2. some unknown environmental insult in some people; 3. some inherited metabolic pattern or process that triggers problems later in life - in some people; 4. some type of unusual allergic reaction to unknown allergens, in some people; or, 5, none of the above. In other words, for most of us, BAD LUCK..... Right now all we can do is treat, not cure.

[danialm]

Typically it is genetics and is triggered by some form of stress. Serious infection, injury... at some point afterwards the body's immune system cannot differentiate "friend or foe' and starts to cause inflamation.

[prasanth5]

It is difficult to say what exactly causes RA. But all the three which you have opined to be the causes are really so. Heredity is a valid cause. It is vastly discussed in this forum. Similarly the weakness in the bones is another cause and the season change is supposed to be a cause!

[danialm]

It is difficult to say what exactly causes RA. But all the three which you have opined to be the causes are really so. Heredity is a valid cause. It is vastly discussed in this forum. Similarly the weakness in the bones is another cause and the season change is supposed to be a cause!

I would tend to say that "weakness in the bones" would be more related to the degenerative Osteoarthritis rather than Rheumatoid Arthritis which is an autoimmune disorder.

[prasanth5]

What is danialm says is thought provoking. yes. Weakness in bones may be akin to what is termed Osteoporosis. My mother suffered from Osteoporosis too. The density in the bones gets reduced gradually and they are vulnerable to even small injuries.

[kageyd]

Osteoarthritis is damage to cartilage. Then, after the cartilage is torn or worn away, the bones rub against one another, and the bone deterioration begins. Thus the bone damage is indirect.

Osteoporosis, common in the elderly, is typically related to calcium deficiencies and often to changes in various hormones (such as the parathyroid hormones) and other metabolic factors. Osteoporosis may occur along with osteoarthritis, but is not a consequence of osteoarthritis.

Any given person may have one of these two without the other. Or may have both conditions, especially as we age.

[prasanth5]

I wanted to know whether the bones that rub against one another cause much pain to the person. In fact the post be kageyd is though provoking in the sense that the difference between osteoarthritis and osteoporosis was brought out.

[kageyd]

I wanted to know whether the bones that rub against one another cause much pain to the person. In fact the post be kageyd is though provoking in the sense that the difference between osteoarthritis and osteoporosis was brought out.


I think the right answer is, as usual, it varies from one person to another, and in the same person from time to time. There are very few, if any, certainties in our wonderful experiences with arthritis of all kinds!

And it's also impossible to know whether pain in an active but damaged joint is coming from bone to bone contact or irritation of the ripped cartilage that is still present or from the damaged synovial tissue if it's RA we're talking about. All those tissues have pain receptors in them.