Rheumatoid Arthritis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Rheumatoid Arthritis?
A rheumatologist, a doctor who specializes in arthritis care, usually treats rheumatoid arthritis over the long term. A primary care doctor can start the evaluation and refer you to a rheumatologist for tests, diagnosis, and care. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a form of arthritis that causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in your joints. RA is an autoimmune disease, which means the immune system, the body's defense system, mistakenly attacks healthy tissue.
RA differs from osteoarthritis, a common arthritis that often comes with age. There is no cure for RA, but early treatment can help you manage symptoms, reduce joint damage, and lead a productive life.
Symptoms
RA affects people differently. Your symptoms might come and go. Common symptoms include:
- Joint pain or stiffness when moving, usually worse in the morning or after inactivity.
- Joint tenderness, redness, and warmth.
- Joint swelling that makes daily tasks hard, such as combing your hair or buttoning your clothes.
- Fatigue (feeling very tired), fever, and loss of appetite.
- Hard bumps, called rheumatoid nodules, under the skin near the joints.
RA usually affects joints on both sides of the body equally. If one hand or knee is affected, so is the other.
RA can also cause problems outside the joints, such as anemia (low red blood cell counts) and dry eyes and mouth. At times, symptoms worsen in flares. A flare can come from a trigger such as stress, cigarette smoke, viral infections, too much activity, or suddenly stopping medications.
Causes and who gets it
No one knows what causes rheumatoid arthritis. Certain genes may raise your risk, but not everyone with these genes gets RA. Cigarette smoke is one outside trigger. Sex hormones may also play a role.
RA can happen at any age, but the risk increases as you become an older adult. Women are more likely to get RA than men. About two to three times as many women as men have the disease. Smoking over a long period raises your risk.
How doctors diagnose it
There is no single test for rheumatoid arthritis. It develops over time, so it can be hard to diagnose in the early stages. Your provider will ask about your symptoms and your family history. Your provider will also examine your joints. Two blood tests that are positive in most people with RA are the rheumatoid factor test and the anti-CCP antibody test. The anti-CCP antibody test is more specific for RA. Some people with RA have normal results on all tests.
One sign is pain and swelling in one or more joints for longer than 6 weeks.
Treatment
There is no cure for RA, but early treatment can help prevent your symptoms from getting worse and damaging your joints. RA most often needs long-term treatment by a rheumatologist. Treatment can include medicine, lifestyle changes, and surgery.
Early treatment with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) should be used in all patients. This slows joint damage and prevents deformities. DMARDs are often the medicines tried first. Methotrexate is the most commonly used DMARD for RA. Leflunomide and hydroxychloroquine may also be used. These medicines may have serious side effects, so you will need frequent blood tests and other monitoring.
Aspirin and NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen) reduce joint swelling and inflammation but can have long-term side effects. Corticosteroids work the same way and do not prevent joint damage if used alone. Both are taken only for a short time and in low doses when possible. Biologic DMARDs are designed to affect parts of the immune system that play a role in RA. They may be given when other medicines, usually methotrexate, have not worked. People who take them must be watched closely for serious reactions, such as infections and allergic reactions.
A physical therapist can prescribe exercises that delay the loss of joint function and help keep muscles strong. Surgery may be needed to correct severely damaged joints. Staying physically active, keeping a healthy weight, and stopping smoking can help you manage RA symptoms.
When to see a doctor
Contact your provider if you think you have symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Permanent joint damage may occur without proper treatment, so it is important to start treatment as soon as possible.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have chest pain lasting two minutes or more. Get the same help for trouble breathing, fainting, or a sudden change in mental status such as confusion.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either can ask about your symptoms, order blood tests, and refer you to a rheumatologist.
Common questions
Is there a cure for rheumatoid arthritis?
No, there is no cure for RA. Early treatment can help you manage symptoms, reduce joint damage, and lead a productive life.
Is rheumatoid arthritis the same as osteoarthritis?
No, they are different diseases. RA is an autoimmune disease that affects the lining of your joints.
Can rheumatoid arthritis affect other parts of the body?
Yes, the swelling from RA can also affect other body parts, such as your eyes, skin, heart, nerves, blood, or lungs.
Sources
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia - Rheumatoid arthritis
- MedlinePlus - Rheumatoid Arthritis
- NIAMS - Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms, Causes, & Risk Factors
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
