7 Surprising Things That Can Worsen Your RA

SPECIAL REPORT Thursday, March 5, 2015 7 Surprising Things That Can Affect Rheumatoid Arthritis SHARE IT:

Medication can slow joint damage and improve pain for most people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to the American College of Rheumatology. But you could be unwittingly making your symptoms worse with certain lifestyle choices. Consider these seven surprising factors that could be contributing to your aches and pains: • Smoking. There's evidence that people who smoke have a higher risk of developing RA and possibly even a more severe form of RA. Quitting smoking could reduce the risk. If you’ve been diagnosed with RA, stop smoking. • Diet. There’s no specific diet for RA, but certain foods seem to contribute to inflammation. Replacing inflammatory foods (e.g., fatty cuts of meat and whole-milk products) with anti-inflammatory foods (e.g., fish and nuts high in omega-3s) is especially beneficial for people with RA. Discover five more surprising things that can affect RA. Learn more about treating and managing RA »