9. Smoking
Nicotine in any form causes inflammation. In fact, countless studies prove that smokers are much, much more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis than nonsmokers (24,25).
If you have arthritis (or are at risk for developing it) and are a smoker, it is highly encouraged that you enroll in a smoking cessation program immediately.
So important, in fact, that there are smoking cessation programs specifically for people with rheumatoid arthritis (26).
10. Feeling Hopeless
Piggybacking on item #3 on this list, it is extremely important to keep your spirits high even as you experience setbacks during treatment.
Just as there are hundreds of types of arthritis, there are even more treatment options available (27). Treating chronic conditions like arthritis is not a one-size-fits-all approach.
If a treatment isn’t working or isn’t as effective as it used to be, then it’s time to try a new approach.
It’s also worth repeating: take care of your mental health. It’s key to your overall well-being (28).