RA Connections – a gathering place to discuss living with Rheumatoid Arthritis

HOUSTON - July 30, 2014 - PRLog -- Join the Arthritis Foundation for the inaugural RA Connections at Champps Americana, 1121 Uptown Park Blvd, 77056, August 20 at 6 p.m. RSVP required by August 15 to Pam Gill at pgill@arthritis.org or 214-818-0355.

RA Connections is a gathering to connect and share between those living with or caring for someone with rheumatoid arthritis. Appetizers will be provided.

An estimated 1.3 million people in the United States have RA—that’s almost 1 percent of the nation’s adult population. There are nearly three times as many women as men with the disease. In women, RA most commonly begins between the ages of 30 and 60. It often occurs later in life for men. To learn more about RA and what causes it, what the effects are, how it’s diagnosed and treatment options, visit the Rheumatoid Arthritis page in the disease center on www.Arthritis.org

RA most commonly affects the joints of the hands, feet, wrists, elbows, knees and ankles. Joint involvement is usually symmetrical, meaning if one joint is affected the same joint on the opposite side of the body is involved as well.

While there’s no cure for this chronic disease, its symptoms often come and go. Periods of mild disease activity may be punctuated by flares – bouts of more intense activity and symptoms. In some cases, with appropriate treatment, the disease goes into remission.

If you’ve just been diagnosed with RA, you should know you’re not alone – the disease affects an estimated 1.5 million Americans. Three times more women are affected than men. The usual age for adult onset is between 40 and 60 years, but it can begin at any age, even in childhood.