What are the risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis?

Condition analysis:
Researchers have studied a number of genetic and environmental factors to determine if they change person’s risk of developing RA.
-- Age. RA can begin at any age, but the likelihood increases with age. The onset of RA is highest among adults in their sixties.

-- Sex. New cases of RA are typically two-to-three times higher in women than men.

-- Genetics/inherited traits. People born with specific genes are more likely to develop RA. These genes, called HLA (human leukocyte antigen) class II genotypes, can also make your arthritis worse. The risk of RA may be highest when people with these genes are exposed to environmental factors like smoking or when a person is obese.

-- Smoking. Multiple studies show that cigarette smoking increases a person’s risk of developing RA and can make the disease worse. 

-- History of live births. Women who have never given birth may be at greater risk of developing RA.

-- Early Life Exposures. Some early life exposures may increase risk of developing RA in adulthood.  For example, one study found that children whose mothers smoked had double the risk of developing RA as adults. Children of lower income parents are at increased risk of developing RA as adults.

-- Obesity. Being obese can increase the risk of developing RA. Studies examining the role of obesity also found that the more overweight a person was, the higher his or her risk of developing RA became.

Instructions:
1) Bring the Heat:
Relax painful muscles with heat, such as soaking in a hot tub, warm bath or taking a hot shower for 15 minutes.

2) Heating Pad:
Plug in your heating pad on the lowest setting, and apply to painful joints.

3) Hot Towel:
Treat painful joints to a hot, damp towel for relief from rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.