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 COVID-19 Diagnosis and Monitoring Diet and Exercise Events Family Planning Healthcare professionals Other Conditions RA Stories Research Self-management Symptoms and Causes Treatment Work and BenefitsSelect resource type… Article Facebook Live NRAS Live Publication Video Clear All Article A Guide to Staying Active with Inflammatory Arthritis Working out with arthritis can be a daunting thought and many experience gym anxiety. This is totally understandable but there are strategies you can put into place to make it easier to immerse yourself into the world of exercise. NRAS Live NRAS Live: Pregnancy Guidelines in Inflammatory Rheumatic Disease Our NRAS National Patient Champions, Ailsa Bosworth, was joined by Guidelines Author Prof. Ian Giles, patient mum Katy Pieris, Kate Duhig from the University of Manchester who is conducting a clinical trial in pregnancy and Nurse Specialist Louise Moore who was also on the Guidelines working group. You may have noticed we lost one of […] Article 8 tips to have a stress-free Diwali when you live with RA Diwali is a time full of happiness and joy, but for someone like me who lives with RA, it can also feel overwhelming and fearful. Over the years, I have learnt ways to manage the stress and fear surrounding it which I would love to share with you. Article Reflections on my life with RA, this World Arthritis Day Reflections on my life with RA, this World Arthritis Day Blog by Ailsa Bosworth MBE, NRAS Founder and National Patient Champion The theme for this World Arthritis Day, 12th October, 2023 is ‘Living with a Rheumatic & Musculoskeletal Disease at all stages of life’. At age 74 I’ve lived a long time and 43 years of that life […] Article 10 ways you can improve your mental well-being if you have a chronic illness 10 ways you can improve your mental well-being if you have a chronic illness Blog by Nadine Garland The World Health Organisation states that wellbeing is “a state of complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” It is easy to focus on physical wellbeing when dealing with a chronic health condition such as Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) 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 COVID-19 Diagnosis and Monitoring Diet and Exercise Events Family Planning Healthcare professionals Other Conditions RA Stories Research Self-management Symptoms and Causes Treatment Work and BenefitsSelect resource type… Article Facebook Live NRAS Live Publication Video Clear All Article A Guide to Staying Active with Inflammatory Arthritis Working out with arthritis can be a daunting thought and many experience gym anxiety. This is totally understandable but there are strategies you can put into place to make it easier to immerse yourself into the world of exercise. NRAS Live NRAS Live: Pregnancy Guidelines in Inflammatory Rheumatic Disease Our NRAS National Patient Champions, Ailsa Bosworth, was joined by Guidelines Author Prof. Ian Giles, patient mum Katy Pieris, Kate Duhig from the University of Manchester who is conducting a clinical trial in pregnancy and Nurse Specialist Louise Moore who was also on the Guidelines working group. You may have noticed we lost one of […] Article 8 tips to have a stress-free Diwali when you live with RA Diwali is a time full of happiness and joy, but for someone like me who lives with RA, it can also feel overwhelming and fearful. Over the years, I have learnt ways to manage the stress and fear surrounding it which I would love to share with you. Article Reflections on my life with RA, this World Arthritis Day Reflections on my life with RA, this World Arthritis Day Blog by Ailsa Bosworth MBE, NRAS Founder and National Patient Champion The theme for this World Arthritis Day, 12th October, 2023 is ‘Living with a Rheumatic & Musculoskeletal Disease at all stages of life’. At age 74 I’ve lived a long time and 43 years of that life […] Article 10 ways you can improve your mental well-being if you have a chronic illness 10 ways you can improve your mental well-being if you have a chronic illness Blog by Nadine Garland The World Health Organisation states that wellbeing is “a state of complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” It is easy to focus on physical wellbeing when dealing with a chronic health condition such as Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and […] Load more ↓
Article A Guide to Staying Active with Inflammatory Arthritis Working out with arthritis can be a daunting thought and many experience gym anxiety. This is totally understandable but there are strategies you can put into place to make it easier to immerse yourself into the world of exercise.
NRAS Live NRAS Live: Pregnancy Guidelines in Inflammatory Rheumatic Disease Our NRAS National Patient Champions, Ailsa Bosworth, was joined by Guidelines Author Prof. Ian Giles, patient mum Katy Pieris, Kate Duhig from the University of Manchester who is conducting a clinical trial in pregnancy and Nurse Specialist Louise Moore who was also on the Guidelines working group. You may have noticed we lost one of […]
Article 8 tips to have a stress-free Diwali when you live with RA Diwali is a time full of happiness and joy, but for someone like me who lives with RA, it can also feel overwhelming and fearful. Over the years, I have learnt ways to manage the stress and fear surrounding it which I would love to share with you.
Article Reflections on my life with RA, this World Arthritis Day Reflections on my life with RA, this World Arthritis Day Blog by Ailsa Bosworth MBE, NRAS Founder and National Patient Champion The theme for this World Arthritis Day, 12th October, 2023 is ‘Living with a Rheumatic & Musculoskeletal Disease at all stages of life’. At age 74 I’ve lived a long time and 43 years of that life […]
Article 10 ways you can improve your mental well-being if you have a chronic illness 10 ways you can improve your mental well-being if you have a chronic illness Blog by Nadine Garland The World Health Organisation states that wellbeing is “a state of complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” It is easy to focus on physical wellbeing when dealing with a chronic health condition such as Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) 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!