27 Feb 2026

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis? Causes, Symptoms & Key Facts

It’s easy to put joint pain down to getting older, being tired, or a small injury. However, if the pain returns frequently, affects both sides of the body, and is accompanied by morning stiffness which takes more than an hour to lessen – it could be something which requires a more careful look. 

Rheumatoid arthritis is primarily one of the joint illnesses people most often get wrong. It is not just the result of things wearing out. It’s a continuing autoimmune illness that can harm your joints, your organs, and your general well-being – and spotting it early makes a real difference to how well it can be dealt with.

Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis as a Disease

In a body that is healthy, the immune system operates as a defence. It finds dangers – like bacteria and viruses – and fights them. In someone with rheumatoid arthritis, this system does not work correctly. It starts to consider the body’s own joint tissues to be a danger and attacks them.

The particular tissue being attacked is the synovium – a fine layer around your joints that makes fluid to help them move without trouble. When the immune system repeatedly inflames this layer, it grows thicker, the joint becomes swollen, and in time, the cartilage and bone around it can be harmed.

Unlike normal arthritis – which is usually due to wear and tear with age – RA is caused by the immune system itself. This is what makes it an autoimmune illness – and what makes it clearly unlike other joint problems.

In India, rheumatoid arthritis is thought to affect 0.92% to 1% of grown-up people. By 2021, over 2.7 million people in the country were living with the illness – and this number has been going up regularly since 1990. Women are diagnosed with RA almost three times as often as men.

Common Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis

The exact causes of rheumatoid arthritis are not yet fully understood. Research talks about so many factors that together increase the risk of the immune system going wrong in this way.

Genetic Factors

Some genes make a person more likely to develop RA. If a close relative has been diagnosed with the illness, your risk is above usual. But having these genes does not mean you will develop the illness – it just makes your chances greater.

Hormonal Influence

RA is much more common in women than in men, which means hormones clearly have a part to play. Changes in hormone levels – notably during pregnancy or the menopause – seem to affect how the immune system behaves.

Environmental Triggers

Smoking is one of the most powerful known environmental triggers for RA, particularly in people who are genetically at risk. Being exposed for a long time to certain infections, physical stress, or emotional injury might also start the immune response which causes RA in people who are vulnerable.

Recognising Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms

Finding RA early gives you the best possibility of managing it well. Studies show that treatment started within the first 6 months of symptoms appearing leads to much better results in the long run.

The rheumatoid arthritis symptoms to watch for include:

• Morning stiffness which lasts over an hour, mainly in the hands and fingers.

• Swollen, painful joints which feel warm to the touch.

• Symmetrical joint involvement – if your left wrist is affected, your right wrist. usually is too.

• Continuing tiredness which does not get better with rest.

• A slight fever and a general feeling of being unwell.

• Loss of grip strength or trouble making a fist.

• Decreased range of movement in the joints affected over time.

One key thing which separates RA from other joint illnesses is that its symptoms usually appear on both sides of the body at the same time. If only one joint is affected, other diagnoses are usually looked at first.

How RA Affects More Than Just Joints

Many people are surprised to learn that rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic condition and not just a joint issue. It can significantly affect other parts of the body also.

Organs and tissues that can be affected include:

• Eyes: Dryness, irritation, and a condition called secondary Sjogren's syndrome.

• Lungs: Inflammation in the lung tissue, which can cause breathlessness.

• Heart and blood vessels: Increased risk of cardiovascular disease due to chronic inflammation.

• Skin: Firm lumps under the skin near pressure points, known as rheumatoid nodules, develop in 20–30% of patients.

This is precisely  - why early diagnosis and consistent management are so important. As being un-addressed; RA can quietly cause damage well beyond the joints you feel pain in.

When Should You See a Doctor?

If you have been having joint pain and stiffness which has lasted over a few weeks – particularly if it affects both hands, wrists, or feet – it is worth speaking to a specialist.

A doctor will usually consider a mix of blood tests, pictures, and a detailed review of your symptoms to judge whether RA is involved. The earlier the diagnosis, the more effectively the illness can be controlled. 

Take the Right Step at the Right Time

Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term illness, but one which many people live full, active lives with when it is properly managed. The key is not to ignore the early signs, or to wait until the pain becomes bad.

At Arora Neuro Centre, our team offers thorough assessments, personal care plans, and the specialist advice you need to understand and manage your illness with confidence. If your joints are telling you something, it is worth listening – and acting early.