Your immune system is supposed to protect your body, but when you have rheumatoid arthritis (RA), it accidentally attacks healthy joints, tissues, and organs, including the eyes and lungs. As a result, the chronic autoimmune disease causes pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of function in the joints. It can also cause other symptoms, including fatigue, loss of appetite and dry eyes.
RA affects 1.5 million Americans and there is no cure. But it can be managed with medications and lifestyle changes.
Women’s health
Women’s Health magazine featured four women – including Mariah Leach, founder of Mamas Facing Forward – discussing the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, how they cope and what they’ve learned from living with RA.
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