A flare is an acute or sudden episode of intense pain and stiffness in one or more joints and can last anywhere between 2 to 5 days. It varies from individual to individual. Based on my own personal experience and my training as a nutritional therapist, I give some tips in this video to help reduce the frequency of flares as well as to help manage them.

The exact cause of RA is unknown, but environmental triggers like infections can play an important role. In this video Dr. Egeland discusses some of the common infections that are thought to be RA triggers as well as tips for supporting your immune system.

Kevin Mange, MD, MSCE, head of North America Medical Immunology at Sanofi, provides a comprehensive overview of the considerations in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, which carries comorbidities that affect multiple organ systems.

Gut bacteria, specifically Prevotella histicola, have anti-inflammatory benefits that could help treat autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and ankylosing spondylitis. Researchers examined the possibility using mice, and more studies are planned. Mayo Clinic rheumatology chair Eric Matteson, M.D., explains why this is a hot area of research.