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Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease
Important symptoms are pain and swelling and morning stiffness of the joints especially the joints of the hands and feet
Diagnosis depends on the patient’s history and examination and also on some lab tests
Laboratory tests, alone, are not enough for making the diagnosis
Females are more prone to the disease than males
Smoking increases the risk of rheumatoid arthritis
The rheumatoid factor, a lab test, can be positive in rheumatoid arthritis and also in other diseases
Early diagnosis and treatment are important to lessen any chances of permanent damage to the joints
Regular follow up with your doctor is important to manage any possible side effects and to do assess your progress
Some rheumatoid medications might not be suitable for pregnancy. Get back to your doctor if you are planning for pregnancy.
In addition to mediations, diet and avoidance of excess exertion and stress and cessation of smoking are also important advices for all patients with rheumatoid arthritis

This article was written by Dr. Sherif Gamal, assistant professor of rheumatology at Cairo university (Egypt).

If you are interested in an online medical consultation with Dr. Sherif Gamal, kindly click on this link:

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