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. 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 02. 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 03. 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 04. 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 05. 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 06. 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 07. 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 08. 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 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 Apni Jung info for South Asian community Community COVID-19 Diagnosis and Monitoring Diet and Exercise Events Family Planning Fundraising Healthcare professionals Other Conditions Research Self-management Symptoms and Causes Treatment Work and BenefitsSelect resource type… Article Blog Facebook Live NRAS Live Publication Video Clear All Article NRAS’ further response to disability cuts from the Spring Statement NRAS’ further response to disability cuts from the Spring Statement The news around benefit changes have been a significant story over the last few weeks with many changes being announced. This has been an incredibly difficult time for people living with disabilities and many feeling scared about their future and how this will impact them. […] Article Homecare Medicine Services in Scotland Independent Review of Medicines Homecare in Scotland Article Wear Purple for JIA 2025: A Splash of Purple for a Powerful Cause Wear Purple for JIA 2025: A Splash of Purple for a Powerful Cause The National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) is thrilled to announce the return of its annual #WearPurpleForJIA campaign, set to take place on Friday, 23rd May 2025. This colourful initiative aims to raise awareness and funds for children and young people living with […] Blog Next year’s going to be different! Could your New Year’s resolutions help your RA? Blog by Victoria Butler Many people end the year hopeful that the next year will be better in some way. As the clock ticks over to 1st January, we mark the occasion with parties and fireworks, even though in reality, it’s just another day. For every person saying “Next year, I’m going to…” another is […] Article Promote your Fundraising Share your story If you have a connection to RA/JIA or a personal reason for supporting NRAS, be sure to tell everyone about it. The simplest way is by setting up a fundraising page. By sharing your story, your friends, family, and supporters will be more likely to donate generously to your fundraiser. Be the first to donate To get […] Load more ↓ Help support others Because of your generous donations NRAS will continue to be there for everyone affected by RA. MonthlySinglePay in Funds £5£10£20Other £16.68£34.00£83.56Other £50£100£500Other Donate now!
01. 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
02. 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
03. 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
04. 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
05. 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
06. 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
07. 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
08. 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
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 Apni Jung info for South Asian community Community COVID-19 Diagnosis and Monitoring Diet and Exercise Events Family Planning Fundraising Healthcare professionals Other Conditions Research Self-management Symptoms and Causes Treatment Work and BenefitsSelect resource type… Article Blog Facebook Live NRAS Live Publication Video Clear All Article NRAS’ further response to disability cuts from the Spring Statement NRAS’ further response to disability cuts from the Spring Statement The news around benefit changes have been a significant story over the last few weeks with many changes being announced. This has been an incredibly difficult time for people living with disabilities and many feeling scared about their future and how this will impact them. […] Article Homecare Medicine Services in Scotland Independent Review of Medicines Homecare in Scotland Article Wear Purple for JIA 2025: A Splash of Purple for a Powerful Cause Wear Purple for JIA 2025: A Splash of Purple for a Powerful Cause The National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) is thrilled to announce the return of its annual #WearPurpleForJIA campaign, set to take place on Friday, 23rd May 2025. This colourful initiative aims to raise awareness and funds for children and young people living with […] Blog Next year’s going to be different! Could your New Year’s resolutions help your RA? Blog by Victoria Butler Many people end the year hopeful that the next year will be better in some way. As the clock ticks over to 1st January, we mark the occasion with parties and fireworks, even though in reality, it’s just another day. For every person saying “Next year, I’m going to…” another is […] Article Promote your Fundraising Share your story If you have a connection to RA/JIA or a personal reason for supporting NRAS, be sure to tell everyone about it. The simplest way is by setting up a fundraising page. By sharing your story, your friends, family, and supporters will be more likely to donate generously to your fundraiser. Be the first to donate To get […] Load more ↓
Article NRAS’ further response to disability cuts from the Spring Statement NRAS’ further response to disability cuts from the Spring Statement The news around benefit changes have been a significant story over the last few weeks with many changes being announced. This has been an incredibly difficult time for people living with disabilities and many feeling scared about their future and how this will impact them. […]
Article Wear Purple for JIA 2025: A Splash of Purple for a Powerful Cause Wear Purple for JIA 2025: A Splash of Purple for a Powerful Cause The National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) is thrilled to announce the return of its annual #WearPurpleForJIA campaign, set to take place on Friday, 23rd May 2025. This colourful initiative aims to raise awareness and funds for children and young people living with […]
Blog Next year’s going to be different! Could your New Year’s resolutions help your RA? Blog by Victoria Butler Many people end the year hopeful that the next year will be better in some way. As the clock ticks over to 1st January, we mark the occasion with parties and fireworks, even though in reality, it’s just another day. For every person saying “Next year, I’m going to…” another is […]
Article Promote your Fundraising Share your story If you have a connection to RA/JIA or a personal reason for supporting NRAS, be sure to tell everyone about it. The simplest way is by setting up a fundraising page. By sharing your story, your friends, family, and supporters will be more likely to donate generously to your fundraiser. Be the first to donate To get […]
Help support others Because of your generous donations NRAS will continue to be there for everyone affected by RA. MonthlySinglePay in Funds £5£10£20Other £16.68£34.00£83.56Other £50£100£500Other Donate now!