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 Healthcare professionals Other Conditions Research Self-management Symptoms and Causes Treatment Work and BenefitsSelect resource type… Article Facebook Live NRAS Live Publication Video Clear All Article Getting through the festive period when you have RA “It’s the most wonderful time of the year” as the song would have us believe. It can also be an exhausting, expensive and stressful time. Add to this living with an unpredictable health condition, like rheumatoid arthritis and you may struggle ‘to be jolly’ this season. Even if you and your family don’t celebrate Christmas, […] Article Runs Run for Charity Partnership NRAS has partnered with event specialist Run for Charity to allow us to offer guaranteed places in over 700 events throughout the UK. Some of the most popular ones are featured above but click on the links below to search for more events near you! If you would like to contact […] Article Telephone Peer Support Volunteer Description As a Telephone Peer Support Volunteer, your experience of living with RA/JIA is at the heart of your role. You will be asked to support a range of people in diverse communities, while making sure everyone feels welcomed, supported, and valued for who they are. You will use your own experiences to empathise with […] Article Enhancing Everyday Living Enhancing Everyday Living A helpful guide to adapting your bathroom if you live with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Blog by Peter Whittall of Premier Care in Bathing The Importance of Adapting Your Bathroom for Rheumatoid Arthritis Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) presents many challenges, and one area that can significantly impact daily life is the bathroom. […] Article A look back at RA Awareness Week 2024 | #STOPtheStereotype A look back at RA Awareness Week 2024 | #STOPtheStereotype Blog by Eleanor Burfitt This year for RA Awareness Week 2024, our aim was to #STOPtheStereotype – highlighting the misconceptions that people who live with RA hear on a daily basis. We set up a new #STOPtheStereotype quiz for people to test these statements and […] 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 Healthcare professionals Other Conditions Research Self-management Symptoms and Causes Treatment Work and BenefitsSelect resource type… Article Facebook Live NRAS Live Publication Video Clear All Article Getting through the festive period when you have RA “It’s the most wonderful time of the year” as the song would have us believe. It can also be an exhausting, expensive and stressful time. Add to this living with an unpredictable health condition, like rheumatoid arthritis and you may struggle ‘to be jolly’ this season. Even if you and your family don’t celebrate Christmas, […] Article Runs Run for Charity Partnership NRAS has partnered with event specialist Run for Charity to allow us to offer guaranteed places in over 700 events throughout the UK. Some of the most popular ones are featured above but click on the links below to search for more events near you! If you would like to contact […] Article Telephone Peer Support Volunteer Description As a Telephone Peer Support Volunteer, your experience of living with RA/JIA is at the heart of your role. You will be asked to support a range of people in diverse communities, while making sure everyone feels welcomed, supported, and valued for who they are. You will use your own experiences to empathise with […] Article Enhancing Everyday Living Enhancing Everyday Living A helpful guide to adapting your bathroom if you live with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Blog by Peter Whittall of Premier Care in Bathing The Importance of Adapting Your Bathroom for Rheumatoid Arthritis Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) presents many challenges, and one area that can significantly impact daily life is the bathroom. […] Article A look back at RA Awareness Week 2024 | #STOPtheStereotype A look back at RA Awareness Week 2024 | #STOPtheStereotype Blog by Eleanor Burfitt This year for RA Awareness Week 2024, our aim was to #STOPtheStereotype – highlighting the misconceptions that people who live with RA hear on a daily basis. We set up a new #STOPtheStereotype quiz for people to test these statements and […] Load more ↓
Article Getting through the festive period when you have RA “It’s the most wonderful time of the year” as the song would have us believe. It can also be an exhausting, expensive and stressful time. Add to this living with an unpredictable health condition, like rheumatoid arthritis and you may struggle ‘to be jolly’ this season. Even if you and your family don’t celebrate Christmas, […]
Article Runs Run for Charity Partnership NRAS has partnered with event specialist Run for Charity to allow us to offer guaranteed places in over 700 events throughout the UK. Some of the most popular ones are featured above but click on the links below to search for more events near you! If you would like to contact […]
Article Telephone Peer Support Volunteer Description As a Telephone Peer Support Volunteer, your experience of living with RA/JIA is at the heart of your role. You will be asked to support a range of people in diverse communities, while making sure everyone feels welcomed, supported, and valued for who they are. You will use your own experiences to empathise with […]
Article Enhancing Everyday Living Enhancing Everyday Living A helpful guide to adapting your bathroom if you live with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Blog by Peter Whittall of Premier Care in Bathing The Importance of Adapting Your Bathroom for Rheumatoid Arthritis Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) presents many challenges, and one area that can significantly impact daily life is the bathroom. […]
Article A look back at RA Awareness Week 2024 | #STOPtheStereotype A look back at RA Awareness Week 2024 | #STOPtheStereotype Blog by Eleanor Burfitt This year for RA Awareness Week 2024, our aim was to #STOPtheStereotype – highlighting the misconceptions that people who live with RA hear on a daily basis. We set up a new #STOPtheStereotype quiz for people to test these statements and […]
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!