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. 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 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. However, it can also affect organs, soft tissue and cause widespread symptoms such as fatigue and flu-like symptoms. Read more 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 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 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 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 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 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 Preparing for the festive season The festive season can be a time of great happiness. It can be a time to share gifts and to spend valuable time with loved ones. It can also be very stressful, tiring and physically demanding, especially for those with a long term condition. 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 Blog What are your goals for 2026? Blog by Kirsty Lambert January is the perfect time to get on top of all those jobs that we’ve been putting off in the run-up to Christmas. We’ve come up with a few tips to help you take back control of your ‘New Year to do’ list. Planning for the future It’s easy to put off writing your Will – in fact it’s estimated that around half of all UK […] Blog Managing winter pain: advice for people living with rheumatoid arthritis Article by Ailsa Bosworth, MBE It’s fair to say that nearly half a million people living with Rheumatoid Arthritis(RA) in the UK don’t look forward to the winter months. “Invariably, the colder winter weather has a negative impact on my joints, making them painful and stiff. However, I’ve learnt techniques to help manage my pain […] Article Research opportunities If you would like more information on research or would like to sign up to be an active participant click below: Blog New Horizons: My First Few Months at NRAS Blog by Sarah Parsons 2025 was a year of significant milestones for me. I celebrated my “super 60th” birthday with some unforgettable highlights—from walking over the top of the O2 to catching a Broadway show in New York and fulfilling a lifelong dream of visiting the Museum of the Bible in Washington. However, while the […] Article NRAS helpline closed over Christmas period Please note that the NRAS office, including our Helpline will be closed over the Christmas period. Helpline closes: Wednesday 24th December at 1.30pm Helpline re-opens: Friday 2nd January at 9.30am We know that Christmas can be a difficult time for people living with a long-term health condition, such as RA. The following is a list […] 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 £23.40£52.65£245.73Other £50£100£500Other Donate now!
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
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. However, it can also affect organs, soft tissue and cause widespread symptoms such as fatigue and flu-like symptoms. Read more
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
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
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
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
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
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
Preparing for the festive season The festive season can be a time of great happiness. It can be a time to share gifts and to spend valuable time with loved ones. It can also be very stressful, tiring and physically demanding, especially for those with a long term condition. 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 Blog What are your goals for 2026? Blog by Kirsty Lambert January is the perfect time to get on top of all those jobs that we’ve been putting off in the run-up to Christmas. We’ve come up with a few tips to help you take back control of your ‘New Year to do’ list. Planning for the future It’s easy to put off writing your Will – in fact it’s estimated that around half of all UK […] Blog Managing winter pain: advice for people living with rheumatoid arthritis Article by Ailsa Bosworth, MBE It’s fair to say that nearly half a million people living with Rheumatoid Arthritis(RA) in the UK don’t look forward to the winter months. “Invariably, the colder winter weather has a negative impact on my joints, making them painful and stiff. However, I’ve learnt techniques to help manage my pain […] Article Research opportunities If you would like more information on research or would like to sign up to be an active participant click below: Blog New Horizons: My First Few Months at NRAS Blog by Sarah Parsons 2025 was a year of significant milestones for me. I celebrated my “super 60th” birthday with some unforgettable highlights—from walking over the top of the O2 to catching a Broadway show in New York and fulfilling a lifelong dream of visiting the Museum of the Bible in Washington. However, while the […] Article NRAS helpline closed over Christmas period Please note that the NRAS office, including our Helpline will be closed over the Christmas period. Helpline closes: Wednesday 24th December at 1.30pm Helpline re-opens: Friday 2nd January at 9.30am We know that Christmas can be a difficult time for people living with a long-term health condition, such as RA. The following is a list […] Load more ↓
Blog What are your goals for 2026? Blog by Kirsty Lambert January is the perfect time to get on top of all those jobs that we’ve been putting off in the run-up to Christmas. We’ve come up with a few tips to help you take back control of your ‘New Year to do’ list. Planning for the future It’s easy to put off writing your Will – in fact it’s estimated that around half of all UK […]
Blog Managing winter pain: advice for people living with rheumatoid arthritis Article by Ailsa Bosworth, MBE It’s fair to say that nearly half a million people living with Rheumatoid Arthritis(RA) in the UK don’t look forward to the winter months. “Invariably, the colder winter weather has a negative impact on my joints, making them painful and stiff. However, I’ve learnt techniques to help manage my pain […]
Article Research opportunities If you would like more information on research or would like to sign up to be an active participant click below:
Blog New Horizons: My First Few Months at NRAS Blog by Sarah Parsons 2025 was a year of significant milestones for me. I celebrated my “super 60th” birthday with some unforgettable highlights—from walking over the top of the O2 to catching a Broadway show in New York and fulfilling a lifelong dream of visiting the Museum of the Bible in Washington. However, while the […]
Article NRAS helpline closed over Christmas period Please note that the NRAS office, including our Helpline will be closed over the Christmas period. Helpline closes: Wednesday 24th December at 1.30pm Helpline re-opens: Friday 2nd January at 9.30am We know that Christmas can be a difficult time for people living with a long-term health condition, such as RA. The following is a list […]
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 £23.40£52.65£245.73Other £50£100£500Other Donate now!