Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Day is observed on February 2 each year. The Rheumatoid Patient Foundation started this day to spread awareness about the condition. Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune condition that attacks the joints and causes inflammation along with other dangerous conditions. It is also one of the most common autoimmune conditions in the world. There is no cure for the condition, but it can go into remission with proper and timely care. The purpose of the day is to spread awareness about the dangers of R.A. and how to fight the condition.
History of Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Day
Rheumatoid Arthritis (R.A.) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can affect our joints. R.A. is an auto-immune condition, meaning the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues. Rheumatoid Arthritis can cause swelling in the joint linings and can result in inflammation, severe pain, deformity, bone erosion, etc. The effects of R.A. can spread throughout the body and can cause all kinds of problems. The condition can affect the health of the heart, kidneys, muscles, and bones. There has been no cure for the condition — as is the case with most auto-immune diseases. However, with proper lifestyle habits and medication, we can manage R.A.
Alfred B. Garrod started calling the disease “Rheumatoid Arthritis” in 1858. It was earlier confused with Osteoarthritis. Garrod corrected the name and gave a distinction between both. In earlier years, treatment options were traditional methods like bloodletting and leaching. The use of heavy metal medications has started to show some promise. Only after 1949 did pain relievers become available. Methotrexate treatments started appearing around 1988. For some people, the condition can go into remission and reappear after a few months or weeks.
In 2011, patients came together and formed the Rheumatoid Patient Foundation. The purpose of the organization is to spread awareness about the condition and the treatment options available. In 2013, the foundation started Rheumatoid Awareness Day to raise awareness and resolve misconceptions about the disease.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Day timeline
Augustin Jacob Landré-Beauvais mentions Rheumatoid Arthritis in his dissertation.
Philip Hench and Edward Kendall successfully use cortisone to treat autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves methotrexate as a therapy for R.A.
A group of people with Rheumatoid Arthritis start R.P.F. to spread awareness about the disease.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Day FAQs
How do you monitor R.A.?
Your physician can monitor R.A. through scanning, X-rays, a blood test, or by accessing your muscle strength. R.A. is a difficult condition to confirm, but it is always best to diagnose it early.
What is a positive Rheumatoid Factor test?
A positive Rheumatoid factor test result may indicate a high level of Rheumatoid Factor in your blood. A higher level of Rheumatoid Factor points to an autoimmune disease, particularly rheumatoid arthritis.
What is the study of Rheumatology?
Rheumatology is a part of modern medicine incorporating internal medicine and pediatrics to treat health conditions in joints, soft tissues, autoimmune diseases, etc.
How to Observe Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Day
Educate yourself
The first step in spreading awareness is educating ourselves. It can help us provide helpful information to others. Take the time to catch up on the latest research and news to update yourself with new information regarding R.A.
Arrange medical camps
Arrange a medical camp to diagnose R.A. You can create a campaign and invite people from your community. If you are unable to do all of this on your own, you can still help by volunteering at a medical camp.
Share social media posts
Share information through social media. Foundations like R.P.F. would have the required information and statistics in case a Google search can not help you.
5 Important Facts About Rheumatoid Awareness Day
Many people have it
Approximately 1.5 million people in the U.S. have R.A.
Women are more susceptible
Women are diagnosed with it 2.5 times more often than men.
Age matters
People between the ages of 20 and 50 are more prone to R.A.
It is global
Globally, more than 350 million people suffer from R.A.
Race and rheumatoid arthritis
Multiracial groups, non-Hispanic, people of color, and Hispanics exhibit higher arthritis-attributable activity.
Why Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Day is Important
Checking for R.A. is important
A day for R.A. can be used to visit a doctor to check if you have the disease. Early detection can help to suppress the disease into remission more easily than late detection. Even if there are no symptoms, it is better to make sure.
We can meet new people who want to help
For people with R.A., the day opens up an opportunity to meet new people from different places. They can meet people with the same condition, and they can also meet people who want to help them. It is better to have more people to support you.
Information is always priceless
Even if you do not have R.A. and there is no one you know who has RA, it is still a good day to learn more about this chronic autoimmune condition. You can spread the information about the disease, and someone might find it useful.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | February 2 | Sunday |
| 2026 | February 2 | Monday |
| 2027 | February 2 | Tuesday |
| 2028 | February 2 | Wednesday |
| 2029 | February 2 | Friday |
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