Rheumatoid Arthritis

Prevention

There is no known way to prevent rheumatoid arthritis because the exact cause of the disease is not known.

It is important for people who worry that they may be at risk of rheumatoid arthritis to realize that at this time there are no medicines to take or lifestyle modifications to make that can prevent rheumatoid arthritis. Only after the disease is diagnosed can you take measures to control the disease. Until it is known for sure if certain bacteria or viruses trigger the disease, contact with people with the disease will not change your risk for developing it.

Researchers continue to study possible triggers of the disease. When researchers determine how the body's immune system becomes activated, we may be closer to knowing how to prevent rheumatoid arthritis.

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Author:	Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH	Last Updated: August 18, 2008
Medical Review:	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine Stanford M. Shoor, MD - Rheumatology
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