Rheumatoid Arthritis: Causes, Treatments, and What Works Best

When your immune system turns on your own body, it can start attacking the lining of your joints—that’s rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic autoimmune disease that causes painful inflammation in the joints and can affect other organs. Also known as RA, it’s not just aging or wear and tear—it’s your body’s own defense system going rogue. Unlike osteoarthritis, which comes from physical damage over time, rheumatoid arthritis flares up randomly, often in the hands, wrists, and feet, and can leave you feeling exhausted even on days when you haven’t done much.

This condition doesn’t just hurt joints—it can mess with your heart, lungs, eyes, and even your skin. People with RA often struggle with morning stiffness that lasts over an hour, swelling that comes and goes, and fatigue that no amount of sleep fixes. DMARDs, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs are the first line of defense because they don’t just mask pain—they slow down the immune attack. Common ones include methotrexate, sulfasalazine, and hydroxychloroquine. If those don’t work, biologics, targeted therapies that block specific parts of the immune system like TNF inhibitors may be added. These aren’t magic pills, but for many, they mean the difference between being able to tie your shoes or not.

There’s no cure, but early treatment makes a huge difference. If you’ve had joint pain for more than six weeks, especially if it’s symmetrical (both hands or both knees), see a doctor. Blood tests and imaging can catch it before permanent damage sets in. Lifestyle changes—like quitting smoking, eating more omega-3s, and staying active—help too. You don’t need to run marathons, but moving your joints regularly keeps them from freezing up. Painkillers and anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen give short-term relief, but they don’t stop the disease. That’s why knowing the difference between symptom control and disease control matters.

What you’ll find below are real comparisons of treatments people actually use—what works, what doesn’t, and what side effects to watch for. From how methotrexate stacks up against newer drugs, to why some people switch to biologics, to what to expect when your doctor suggests a change—this collection cuts through the noise. No fluff. No guesswork. Just what you need to understand your options and talk smarter with your doctor.