Information Our information section is where you’ll find all our information on RA, including what symptoms to expect, how it is diagnosed and treated and tools to you to cope with your RA. 01. Coronavirus and RA Many people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and their families will be concerned about how the Coronavirus (COVID-19) affects them. Here is a summary of all the important information that you need to know about Coronavirus and RA. Read more 02. 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. Read more 03. RA symptoms 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. However, it can also affect organs, soft tissue and cause widespread symptoms such as fatigue and flu-like symptoms. RA symptoms 04. RA diagnosis and possible causes RA is diagnosed through a combination of blood tests, scans and examination of the joints. Around 50% of the cause of RA is genetic factors. The rest is made up of what’s referred to as ‘environmental’ factors, such as whether you smoke or are overweight. Read more 05. 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. The treatments given and the order they are tried on will depend on factors such as symptoms, the length of time you may have had the disease prior to diagnosis and test results. Read more 06. RA healthcare In this section, you will find articles on the people involved in treating RA, the ‘standards of care’ best practice models for clinical practice and information on the monitoring and management of RA from your healthcare team. Read more 07. Living with RA Whether you are newly diagnosed or have had RA for some time, there can still be a lot to understand about living with this disease. Hearing other people’s stories can help and you may also need specific information on topics such as work, benefits and pregnancy/parenthood. Read more 08. Managing your RA There is good evidence to show that self-management works to improve outcomes for people with conditions such as RA. Self-management takes on many forms, including changes to exercise, diet, smoker status and through the use of healthcare apps, including a number that NRAS has been involved in developing. Read more 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 RHEUMAPS Study Can you help the University of Aberdeen’s Epidemiology group with their Nuffield Foundation study exploring the priorities for healthcare of people living with rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease (RMD) e.g. osteoarthritis, vasculitis, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, gout, psoriatic arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis? The aim of this study is to understand the healthcare priorities of those living with […] Article NRAS Patient Experience Survey Results – May 2021 NRAS Patient Experience Survey Results – May 2021 Being diagnosed with a long-term condition such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) means that many decisions need to be made during the treatment pathway, particularly about the range of options that are available. Earlier this year, NRAS collaborated with medac Pharma and undertook a survey with RA patients to find out more about […] Video Facebook Live: Foot health Facebook Live: Foot health 25/08/2021 Iain McNicol and Dr Helen Branthwaite discuss your foot health. Article The reluctant CEO The reluctant CEO When in June 2019 I took over as NRAS CEO from founder Ailsa Bosworth, little did I know what was ahead for me. I was resistant, for quite some time, to even considering taking on the role of Chief Executive. I really didn’t feel qualified or knowledgeable enough or equipped with the […] Article Get involved in a new Exercise App As we know, incorporating exercise into your life can help alleviate RA and JIA symptoms and improve mental and emotional health. NRAS is one of the partners on a Virtual Community Rehabilitation (VCR) project led by Good Boost which will delivering support to those living with MSK conditions in the form of peer-led, virtual group […] Load more ↓ Help support others Because of your generous donations NRAS will continue to be there for everyone affected by RA. MonthlySinglePay in Funds £3£8£15Other £18.74£41.44£165.75Other £50£100£500Other Donate now!
01. Coronavirus and RA Many people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and their families will be concerned about how the Coronavirus (COVID-19) affects them. Here is a summary of all the important information that you need to know about Coronavirus and RA. Read more
02. 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. Read more
03. RA symptoms 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. However, it can also affect organs, soft tissue and cause widespread symptoms such as fatigue and flu-like symptoms. RA symptoms
04. RA diagnosis and possible causes RA is diagnosed through a combination of blood tests, scans and examination of the joints. Around 50% of the cause of RA is genetic factors. The rest is made up of what’s referred to as ‘environmental’ factors, such as whether you smoke or are overweight. Read more
05. 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. The treatments given and the order they are tried on will depend on factors such as symptoms, the length of time you may have had the disease prior to diagnosis and test results. Read more
06. RA healthcare In this section, you will find articles on the people involved in treating RA, the ‘standards of care’ best practice models for clinical practice and information on the monitoring and management of RA from your healthcare team. Read more
07. Living with RA Whether you are newly diagnosed or have had RA for some time, there can still be a lot to understand about living with this disease. Hearing other people’s stories can help and you may also need specific information on topics such as work, benefits and pregnancy/parenthood. Read more
08. Managing your RA There is good evidence to show that self-management works to improve outcomes for people with conditions such as RA. Self-management takes on many forms, including changes to exercise, diet, smoker status and through the use of healthcare apps, including a number that NRAS has been involved in developing. Read more
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 RHEUMAPS Study Can you help the University of Aberdeen’s Epidemiology group with their Nuffield Foundation study exploring the priorities for healthcare of people living with rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease (RMD) e.g. osteoarthritis, vasculitis, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, gout, psoriatic arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis? The aim of this study is to understand the healthcare priorities of those living with […] Article NRAS Patient Experience Survey Results – May 2021 NRAS Patient Experience Survey Results – May 2021 Being diagnosed with a long-term condition such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) means that many decisions need to be made during the treatment pathway, particularly about the range of options that are available. Earlier this year, NRAS collaborated with medac Pharma and undertook a survey with RA patients to find out more about […] Video Facebook Live: Foot health Facebook Live: Foot health 25/08/2021 Iain McNicol and Dr Helen Branthwaite discuss your foot health. Article The reluctant CEO The reluctant CEO When in June 2019 I took over as NRAS CEO from founder Ailsa Bosworth, little did I know what was ahead for me. I was resistant, for quite some time, to even considering taking on the role of Chief Executive. I really didn’t feel qualified or knowledgeable enough or equipped with the […] Article Get involved in a new Exercise App As we know, incorporating exercise into your life can help alleviate RA and JIA symptoms and improve mental and emotional health. NRAS is one of the partners on a Virtual Community Rehabilitation (VCR) project led by Good Boost which will delivering support to those living with MSK conditions in the form of peer-led, virtual group […] Load more ↓
Article RHEUMAPS Study Can you help the University of Aberdeen’s Epidemiology group with their Nuffield Foundation study exploring the priorities for healthcare of people living with rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease (RMD) e.g. osteoarthritis, vasculitis, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, gout, psoriatic arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis? The aim of this study is to understand the healthcare priorities of those living with […]
Article NRAS Patient Experience Survey Results – May 2021 NRAS Patient Experience Survey Results – May 2021 Being diagnosed with a long-term condition such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) means that many decisions need to be made during the treatment pathway, particularly about the range of options that are available. Earlier this year, NRAS collaborated with medac Pharma and undertook a survey with RA patients to find out more about […]
Video Facebook Live: Foot health Facebook Live: Foot health 25/08/2021 Iain McNicol and Dr Helen Branthwaite discuss your foot health.
Article The reluctant CEO The reluctant CEO When in June 2019 I took over as NRAS CEO from founder Ailsa Bosworth, little did I know what was ahead for me. I was resistant, for quite some time, to even considering taking on the role of Chief Executive. I really didn’t feel qualified or knowledgeable enough or equipped with the […]
Article Get involved in a new Exercise App As we know, incorporating exercise into your life can help alleviate RA and JIA symptoms and improve mental and emotional health. NRAS is one of the partners on a Virtual Community Rehabilitation (VCR) project led by Good Boost which will delivering support to those living with MSK conditions in the form of peer-led, virtual group […]
Help support others Because of your generous donations NRAS will continue to be there for everyone affected by RA. MonthlySinglePay in Funds £3£8£15Other £18.74£41.44£165.75Other £50£100£500Other Donate now!