If you smoke, you are about twice as likely as a nonsmoker to develop rheumatoid arthritis. And if you already have rheumatoid arthritis, smoking can make the disease worse. Smokers with rheumatoid arthritis are especially likely to develop complications of rheumatoid arthritis that affect parts of the body other than the joints.
just the facts
More than two million Americans have rheumatoid arthritis.
definition
Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease in which the linings of the joints become inflamed, causing pain, stiffness, redness, and swelling. It is a disease that lasts a long time; sometimes it gets better, sometimes it gets worse. It is not contagious. Scientists believe that rheumatoid arthritis is caused by a malfunction of the body's immune system (the system that defends the body against germs and other outside invaders).
More than two million Americans have rheumatoid arthritis. Usually, this disease starts in middle age, but younger adults can have it, too.
quitting
The good news about smoking and rheumatoid arthritis is that if you quit smoking, your chances of getting this disease will decrease. However, it will take about ten years after you quit before your risk will completely return to normal.
