Rheumatoid Arthritis: When the Immune System Attacks Your Joints–Symptoms to Watch For
Smoking is a well-established environmental trigger for rheumatoid arthritis. It promotes citrullination, a chemical change in proteins—particularly in the lungs—that can provoke an immune response. This immune response can develop years before the first symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis appear. Both active smoking and secondhand smoke exposure, especially during childhood, increase rheumatoid arthritis risk and worsen disease severity.
TL;DR
- Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease impacting joints and potentially major organs.
- Over 1.3 million people in the U.S. and nearly 18 million worldwide live with the condition.
- It is a significant cause of disability in older adults and can shorten life expectancy.
- Arthritis-related disability is largely preventable and treatable with early identification.