There are times when our own immune system begins to work in a manner that adversely affects our bodies. The reasons behind this remain largely unknown despite extensive research, and the causes of rheumatoid arthritis are even today not known exactly. However, medical specialists working in this field have been able to identify a series of factors that can be associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

Roughly 1.2 million people suffer from rheumatoid arthritis in the United States alone. They form approximately 0.5% to 1% of the country's adult population. Recent studies and surveys are showing a declining trend in the number of individuals afflicted by it, and this could be due to a decrease in factors linked to the causes of rheumatoid arthritis. A closer analysis of these factors could provide some useful insights into the ailment.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is generally known to affect middle aged or older people when one or more symptoms begin to appear. However, the condition affecting younger people is not exactly unheard of. The condition interestingly shows a gender bias towards women, as it is most often seen in women. Some of the causes of rheumatoid arthritis are now known, and though preventive measures can be adopted, its treatment once the problem sets in, is quite expensive. In fact, the treatment and medication for this disease proves to be a major financial drain on an average income family.

Genetic and hereditary factors are largely responsible for rheumatoid arthritis afflicting people. However, these primary causes of rheumatoid arthritis flare up due to certain other factors, which might act as triggers for the onset of the disease. These are concluded to be related to the environment. Research in this field reveals that some patients might just be gene carriers for this condition, while others might reveal a genetic mapping for rheumatic arthritis, which is symptomatic. With this, the process of identifying triggers of the condition has moved a step further. Rheumatoid arthritis is linked to a single gene in our body, which becomes dominant only under the influence of other related factors.

Viruses and bacteria are believed to be the most common triggers in giving rise to rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is noninfectious and is not classified as a disease. Secondary triggers believed to be causes of rheumatoid arthritis are hormonal, such as pregnancy and lactation. Oral contraceptives and other hormonal therapy can also be causes.

In pregnant women, the primary causes of rheumatoid arthritis are believed to be two immune system molecules ? interleukin 12 (IL-12) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a). These cause the main rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, such as the swelling and tissue degradation in response to various environmental triggers. Rheumatoid arthritis can also cause depression, anxiety and a general feeling of incapability and illness in patients, because of the severe physical limitations imposed on the sufferer.

Not all the answers are crystal clear yet, but there will be a day when extensive research, experimentation, clinical trials and gene therapy find ways to eliminate the trigger potential of the known causes of rheumatoid arthritis. Eventually, this will lead to the discovery of a complete cure for the condition.