Unfortunately there are no firm recommendations for preventing RA, as the causes are still unclear. However, there are some lifestyle measures that have a positive impact on the disease course.

The most important is regular exercise. This improves not only general health, but also the muscles that support the joints. Muscle training in RA can help to delay or even prevent deformities. It is important to protect individual joints from improper or excessive stress during exercise.

Ways in which RA patients can improve their disease:

• Don’t smoke
• Work out as much as you can (swimming, cycling, gymnastics)
• Eat fresh fruit and vegetables and high-fibre grain products on a daily basis
• Have regular checkups from your doctor
• Being overweight adversely affects the joints. So it’s important to keep an eye on the scales.