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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a form of arthritis that causes pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of function in your joints. It can affect any joint but is common in the wrist and fingers. More women than men get rheumatoid arthritis. It often starts between ages 25 and 55. You might have the disease for only a short time, or symptoms might come and go. The severe form can last a lifetime.

Rheumatoid arthritis is different from osteoarthritis, the common arthritis that often comes with older age. RA can affect body parts besides joints, such as your eyes, mouth and lungs. RA is an autoimmune disease, which means the arthritis results from your immune system attacking your body’s own tissues.

No one knows what causes rheumatoid arthritis. Genes, environment and hormones might contribute. Treatments include medicine, lifestyle changes and surgery. These can slow or stop joint damage and reduce pain and swelling.

Can the foods you eat cause or affect your arthritis?

That’s one of the most common questions people with arthritis ask. Because symptoms of arthritis can vary from day to day, it is natural to think that what you ate yesterday caused or reduced the pain you feel today.

Researchers have looked at the roles diet may play in arthritis. There are some scientific reasons to think that the foods you eat could affect certain kinds of arthritis. Evidence shows that excessive weight and the type of diet you follow may influence symptoms of certain types of arthritis and related conditions.

However, all persons with arthritis, young and old, can benefit from eating a healthy, well-balanced diet. This includes a variety of foods; plenty of vegetables, fruits and whole-grain products; and sugar, salt and fat (especially saturated fat found in animal products) in moderation. Taking the recommended daily amounts of vitamins and minerals also is an important part of a healthful diet. A good diet promotes overall health and helps to control weight.

Research has shown several connections between food, nutritional supplements (vitamins, minerals and omega-3 fatty acids) and certain forms of arthritis or related conditions, such as gout, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, and reactive arthritis.