What is rheumatoid arthritis? Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects the lining of the joints, causing pain, swelling and difficulty moving. Although women are three times more likely to be diagnosed with the disease, men also suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. In men, diagnosis is often delayed because they are more likely to attribute the pain to other activities and take longer to seek treatment. This delay can be critical, as early diagnosis is critical to slowing disease progression and limiting joint damage. Why does rheumatoid arthritis occur? Although the exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown, several factors are believed to cause the condition. The environment, genes and sex hormones play a role in the development of the disease. Some other risk factors include: Smoking. Cigarette smoking is the biggest risk factor for developing rheumatoid arthritis; Diet. Diet can also contribute to the development of rheumatoid arthritis. Eating a diet high in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce inflammation and reduce the risk of developing the disease; Body mass index (BMI). Having a BMI over 30 can increase the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis; Female hormones such as estrogen and progesterone are linked to the development of rheumatoid arthritis. Research into why these hormones contribute to the condition is ongoing; Some genes are also linked to rheumatoid arthritis What are the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in men? In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system attacks healthy joint tissues mainly in the hands, wrists, feet, ankles, knees and spine, but it can affect other areas as well. Rheumatoid arthritis can cause other symptoms, such as fever, and make a person more susceptible to developing problems in the heart, lungs, blood, nerves, eyes, and skin. Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in men are similar to those in women. However, men tend to think that the pain and swelling they experience in their joints is due to their daily activities, especially if they are active in sports or have a physically demanding job. Typical symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in men include: Joint pain and swelling; Stiffness that lasts more than 30 minutes, especially in the morning; Tenderness in the joints; Weakness and inability to perform activities that used to be easy, such as lifting a bag of groceries Other symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in men may include: Fatigue; Fever; Loss of appetite Certain triggers (triggers) can cause rheumatoid arthritis symptoms to worsen, including stress, stopping medication, or excessive exercise. References: 1. Arthritis Foundation. Rheumatoid arthritis: causes, symptoms, treatments 2.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Rheumatoid arthritis treatment 3. Chang K, Yang S, Kim S, Han K, Park S, Shin J. Smoking and rheumatoid arthritis 4. Qin B, Yang M, Fu H, et al. Body mass index and the risk of rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis