With a chronic disease such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), sometimes your best asset is a support network of family members. You may rely on your family for assistance in your daily activities, such as getting dressed or preparing a meal. If you have RA, you may worry that your children may one day develop this condition, since genetic factors may play a role in the development of RA. If you are concerned about how RA can affect your family, you should talk with your doctor, as he or she may provide insights that will help you better understand the genetic factors of the disease. Chances are that your doctor wants you to focus on improving your health and not on worrying about your disease.
Some people with RA may find that family members have trouble understanding the severity of their disease. In fact, results from the GeneRAtions patient survey showed that two out of three of all patients surveyed believe friends and family underestimate the impact of RA.
