Scroll down Support for living with RA We provide information and support services for those affected by rheumatoid arthritis (RA), their families, friends, carers and health professionals. Join today What's Happening Article NRAS Christmas Cards & Gifts Our Christmas shop is now live, get your Christmas cards and festive gifts while supporting NRAS Look out for some new gift ideas and the NRAS eCard! We wish you all a safe and happy Christmas. *Taking orders till 10 Dec 2021 News, 17 Sep National Charity launches first of its kind e-learning programme in Rheumatoid Arthritis – SMILE-RA Today, 17 September, 2021, the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society launches a unique new resource to add to its portfolio of supported self-management programmes, services, publications and digital offerings, called SMILE-RA (Self-Management Individualised Learning Environment in Rheumatoid Arthritis). Rheumatoid Arthritis (>400,000 adults live with RA in the UK) is a serious and complex autoimmune disease characterised […] Get all the latest news and events straight to your inbox with our regular email. Don't worry, we won’t send you spam! Sign up About Rheumatoid Arthritis All our information on rheumatoid arthritis, what it is, how it’s managed and living with the condition. What is RA? → Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disease, meaning that the symptoms such as pain and inflammation are caused by the immune system attacking the joints. Symptoms of RA → RA is a systemic condition, meaning that it can affect the body all over. RA occurs when the immune system attacks the lining of the joints, and this can cause pain, swelling and stiffness. RA diagnosis and possible causes → RA is diagnosed through a combination of blood tests, scans and examination of the joints. RA medication → RA is a very variable condition so, doctors do not start all patients in exactly the same way on the same drug regimen. RA healthcare → Read about the people involved in treating RA, best practice models for clinical practice and information on monitoring of RA. Search for resources Try searching our resource hub to find the articles, videos, tools and publications most helpful for you. I am… Employer Health Professional Someone with RASelect topic… About NRAS COVID-19 Diagnosis and Monitoring Diet and Exercise Family Planning Healthcare professionals Other Conditions RA Stories Research Self Care Symptoms and Causes Treatment Work and BenefitsSelect resource type… Article Publication Video Clear All Article BMJ Journals – Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (ARD), is one of the world’s leading rheumatology research journals and an official journal of EULAR (European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology). The short summaries that ARD provide are for selected key research papers, written specifically for patients and non-clinicians. You can access the specific research summaries for rheumatoid arthritis summaries below and […] Article BMJ-ARD Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (ARD), is one of the world’s leading rheumatology research journals and an official journal of EULAR (European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology). The short summaries that ARD provide are for selected key research papers, written specifically for patients and non-clinicians. You can access the specific research summaries for rheumatoid arthritis summaries below and […] Article The OPINION study Research Study: Barriers and facilitators of flu, pneumonia and SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in adults with inflammatory conditions treated with immune-suppressing drugs Would you like to help with a research study to better understand why some people with inflammatory conditions affecting the joints or the gut, and treated with immune-suppressing medications get vaccinated, while others do not? Vaccines […] Article Top 10 tips for traveling with RA Top 10 tips for traveling with RA Blog by Nadine Garland I think I am the perfect person to ask about traveling with RA, because it is something I love to do and basically what brings me to the UK from Australia. I was diagnosed with RA way back in 1987 at 19 years of age, and was given a bleak prognosis of the life […] Article Survey of people with rheumatic conditions about third primary vaccination doses A group of other charities and patient groups, including NRAS, is supporting a rapid survey aimed at all adults with a rheumatic condition in the UK, to understand the progress of the roll-out of third primary COVID-19 vaccination doses for people who are severely immunosuppressed. We have heard from patients reporting difficulties accessing third primary doses. We hope the survey will […] Load more ↓ Get Involved There are many ways in which you can get involved to support NRAS, from holding a tea party to becoming a Member. Help by donating Donate today to change the lives of those with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Help by fundraising We need your help to continue our work and there’s lots of ways to do so! Help by joining Join NRAS today and be part of our RA community. You are not alone. Help by volunteering Join our amazing team of volunteers and help us to raise the profile of RA. Your Stories RA can be life-changing, but you can be the one to change your life Becoming a mother, retraining, going self-employed and setting up an NRAS group. How NRAS volunteer Sharon Branagh did all this after her RA diagnosis. To mark International Women’s Day (8th March), we celebrate inspirational women everywhere, women such as our very own amazing NRAS volunteer Sharon Branagh. “I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at the age of […] I kept pushing forward, and now I absolutely love my life I am 24 years old, and at aged 19, my world was turned upside down when I was diagnosed with an aggressive form of RA. Somehow I kept pushing forward, and now I absolutely love my life and everything about it! My name is Eleanor Farr – known as Ellie or Ell to my friends! I am 24 years […] Why Major Jake P Baker stays ‘faithful in adversity’ Major Jake P Baker discusses a life in the army, his diagnosis of RA and how his healthcare team, family and NRAS have helped him through his journey with RA. I retired from the Army on 30th April 2013 after nearly 42 years’ service – man and boy. I enlisted 6 days after my 15th birthday, taking […] A daughter’s letter to her father, who lives with RA Dear Dad, you took care of me within your strong arms until I could walk, then embraced me in hugs every day after, keeping our connection forever strong. You took care of me, and you still do, but I want to talk about the time where this case was inversed. To look back on when […] It all started with a pain in my right wrist My RA is still in remission and I am able to enjoy activities like cycling and walking. Last August we had a family holiday in Wales and I managed to climb Snowdon – a real sense of achievement. I do still get some pain and swelling in my joints, especially my wrists and hands, but compared to where I […] Click to close video modal Close Help support others Because of your generous donations, NRAS will continue to be there for everyone affected by rheumatoid arthritis. MonthlySinglePay in Funds £3£8£15Other £18.74£41.44£165.75Other £50£100£500Other Donate now! NRAS in 2020 0 Calls answered 0 Publications sent out 0 People reached
What's Happening Article NRAS Christmas Cards & Gifts Our Christmas shop is now live, get your Christmas cards and festive gifts while supporting NRAS Look out for some new gift ideas and the NRAS eCard! We wish you all a safe and happy Christmas. *Taking orders till 10 Dec 2021 News, 17 Sep National Charity launches first of its kind e-learning programme in Rheumatoid Arthritis – SMILE-RA Today, 17 September, 2021, the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society launches a unique new resource to add to its portfolio of supported self-management programmes, services, publications and digital offerings, called SMILE-RA (Self-Management Individualised Learning Environment in Rheumatoid Arthritis). Rheumatoid Arthritis (>400,000 adults live with RA in the UK) is a serious and complex autoimmune disease characterised […] Get all the latest news and events straight to your inbox with our regular email. Don't worry, we won’t send you spam! Sign up
Article NRAS Christmas Cards & Gifts Our Christmas shop is now live, get your Christmas cards and festive gifts while supporting NRAS Look out for some new gift ideas and the NRAS eCard! We wish you all a safe and happy Christmas. *Taking orders till 10 Dec 2021
News, 17 Sep National Charity launches first of its kind e-learning programme in Rheumatoid Arthritis – SMILE-RA Today, 17 September, 2021, the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society launches a unique new resource to add to its portfolio of supported self-management programmes, services, publications and digital offerings, called SMILE-RA (Self-Management Individualised Learning Environment in Rheumatoid Arthritis). Rheumatoid Arthritis (>400,000 adults live with RA in the UK) is a serious and complex autoimmune disease characterised […]
About Rheumatoid Arthritis All our information on rheumatoid arthritis, what it is, how it’s managed and living with the condition. What is RA? → Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disease, meaning that the symptoms such as pain and inflammation are caused by the immune system attacking the joints. Symptoms of RA → RA is a systemic condition, meaning that it can affect the body all over. RA occurs when the immune system attacks the lining of the joints, and this can cause pain, swelling and stiffness. RA diagnosis and possible causes → RA is diagnosed through a combination of blood tests, scans and examination of the joints. RA medication → RA is a very variable condition so, doctors do not start all patients in exactly the same way on the same drug regimen. RA healthcare → Read about the people involved in treating RA, best practice models for clinical practice and information on monitoring of RA.
Search for resources Try searching our resource hub to find the articles, videos, tools and publications most helpful for you. I am… Employer Health Professional Someone with RASelect topic… About NRAS COVID-19 Diagnosis and Monitoring Diet and Exercise Family Planning Healthcare professionals Other Conditions RA Stories Research Self Care Symptoms and Causes Treatment Work and BenefitsSelect resource type… Article Publication Video Clear All Article BMJ Journals – Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (ARD), is one of the world’s leading rheumatology research journals and an official journal of EULAR (European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology). The short summaries that ARD provide are for selected key research papers, written specifically for patients and non-clinicians. You can access the specific research summaries for rheumatoid arthritis summaries below and […] Article BMJ-ARD Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (ARD), is one of the world’s leading rheumatology research journals and an official journal of EULAR (European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology). The short summaries that ARD provide are for selected key research papers, written specifically for patients and non-clinicians. You can access the specific research summaries for rheumatoid arthritis summaries below and […] Article The OPINION study Research Study: Barriers and facilitators of flu, pneumonia and SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in adults with inflammatory conditions treated with immune-suppressing drugs Would you like to help with a research study to better understand why some people with inflammatory conditions affecting the joints or the gut, and treated with immune-suppressing medications get vaccinated, while others do not? Vaccines […] Article Top 10 tips for traveling with RA Top 10 tips for traveling with RA Blog by Nadine Garland I think I am the perfect person to ask about traveling with RA, because it is something I love to do and basically what brings me to the UK from Australia. I was diagnosed with RA way back in 1987 at 19 years of age, and was given a bleak prognosis of the life […] Article Survey of people with rheumatic conditions about third primary vaccination doses A group of other charities and patient groups, including NRAS, is supporting a rapid survey aimed at all adults with a rheumatic condition in the UK, to understand the progress of the roll-out of third primary COVID-19 vaccination doses for people who are severely immunosuppressed. We have heard from patients reporting difficulties accessing third primary doses. We hope the survey will […] Load more ↓
Article BMJ Journals – Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (ARD), is one of the world’s leading rheumatology research journals and an official journal of EULAR (European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology). The short summaries that ARD provide are for selected key research papers, written specifically for patients and non-clinicians. You can access the specific research summaries for rheumatoid arthritis summaries below and […]
Article BMJ-ARD Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (ARD), is one of the world’s leading rheumatology research journals and an official journal of EULAR (European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology). The short summaries that ARD provide are for selected key research papers, written specifically for patients and non-clinicians. You can access the specific research summaries for rheumatoid arthritis summaries below and […]
Article The OPINION study Research Study: Barriers and facilitators of flu, pneumonia and SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in adults with inflammatory conditions treated with immune-suppressing drugs Would you like to help with a research study to better understand why some people with inflammatory conditions affecting the joints or the gut, and treated with immune-suppressing medications get vaccinated, while others do not? Vaccines […]
Article Top 10 tips for traveling with RA Top 10 tips for traveling with RA Blog by Nadine Garland I think I am the perfect person to ask about traveling with RA, because it is something I love to do and basically what brings me to the UK from Australia. I was diagnosed with RA way back in 1987 at 19 years of age, and was given a bleak prognosis of the life […]
Article Survey of people with rheumatic conditions about third primary vaccination doses A group of other charities and patient groups, including NRAS, is supporting a rapid survey aimed at all adults with a rheumatic condition in the UK, to understand the progress of the roll-out of third primary COVID-19 vaccination doses for people who are severely immunosuppressed. We have heard from patients reporting difficulties accessing third primary doses. We hope the survey will […]
Get Involved There are many ways in which you can get involved to support NRAS, from holding a tea party to becoming a Member. Help by donating Donate today to change the lives of those with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Help by fundraising We need your help to continue our work and there’s lots of ways to do so! Help by joining Join NRAS today and be part of our RA community. You are not alone. Help by volunteering Join our amazing team of volunteers and help us to raise the profile of RA.
Your Stories RA can be life-changing, but you can be the one to change your life Becoming a mother, retraining, going self-employed and setting up an NRAS group. How NRAS volunteer Sharon Branagh did all this after her RA diagnosis. To mark International Women’s Day (8th March), we celebrate inspirational women everywhere, women such as our very own amazing NRAS volunteer Sharon Branagh. “I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at the age of […] I kept pushing forward, and now I absolutely love my life I am 24 years old, and at aged 19, my world was turned upside down when I was diagnosed with an aggressive form of RA. Somehow I kept pushing forward, and now I absolutely love my life and everything about it! My name is Eleanor Farr – known as Ellie or Ell to my friends! I am 24 years […] Why Major Jake P Baker stays ‘faithful in adversity’ Major Jake P Baker discusses a life in the army, his diagnosis of RA and how his healthcare team, family and NRAS have helped him through his journey with RA. I retired from the Army on 30th April 2013 after nearly 42 years’ service – man and boy. I enlisted 6 days after my 15th birthday, taking […] A daughter’s letter to her father, who lives with RA Dear Dad, you took care of me within your strong arms until I could walk, then embraced me in hugs every day after, keeping our connection forever strong. You took care of me, and you still do, but I want to talk about the time where this case was inversed. To look back on when […] It all started with a pain in my right wrist My RA is still in remission and I am able to enjoy activities like cycling and walking. Last August we had a family holiday in Wales and I managed to climb Snowdon – a real sense of achievement. I do still get some pain and swelling in my joints, especially my wrists and hands, but compared to where I […]
RA can be life-changing, but you can be the one to change your life Becoming a mother, retraining, going self-employed and setting up an NRAS group. How NRAS volunteer Sharon Branagh did all this after her RA diagnosis. To mark International Women’s Day (8th March), we celebrate inspirational women everywhere, women such as our very own amazing NRAS volunteer Sharon Branagh. “I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at the age of […]
I kept pushing forward, and now I absolutely love my life I am 24 years old, and at aged 19, my world was turned upside down when I was diagnosed with an aggressive form of RA. Somehow I kept pushing forward, and now I absolutely love my life and everything about it! My name is Eleanor Farr – known as Ellie or Ell to my friends! I am 24 years […]
Why Major Jake P Baker stays ‘faithful in adversity’ Major Jake P Baker discusses a life in the army, his diagnosis of RA and how his healthcare team, family and NRAS have helped him through his journey with RA. I retired from the Army on 30th April 2013 after nearly 42 years’ service – man and boy. I enlisted 6 days after my 15th birthday, taking […]
A daughter’s letter to her father, who lives with RA Dear Dad, you took care of me within your strong arms until I could walk, then embraced me in hugs every day after, keeping our connection forever strong. You took care of me, and you still do, but I want to talk about the time where this case was inversed. To look back on when […]
It all started with a pain in my right wrist My RA is still in remission and I am able to enjoy activities like cycling and walking. Last August we had a family holiday in Wales and I managed to climb Snowdon – a real sense of achievement. I do still get some pain and swelling in my joints, especially my wrists and hands, but compared to where I […]
Help support others Because of your generous donations, NRAS will continue to be there for everyone affected by rheumatoid arthritis. MonthlySinglePay in Funds £3£8£15Other £18.74£41.44£165.75Other £50£100£500Other Donate now!