Preeti Desai Preeti Desai Asked 4 months ago

Is rheumatoid arthritis hereditary?

My mother's side of the family has a history of rheumatoid arthritis, and I've started feeling some joint pain recently. I'm getting a little anxious. Is rheumatoid arthritis hereditary?

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8 answers

Nidhi Malhotra Nidhi Malhotra Joined Feb 2026 4 months ago
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I know how scary it is to think you might pass this pain to your kids, or that you got it because of your parents. Honestly, I spent nights crying over this. But doctors told me it's not directly hereditary—only the susceptibility is, so please don't carry this heavy guilt in your heart.

Karan Johar Karan Johar Joined May 2026 4 months ago

Well, my family gave me my bad eyesight and my tendency to stay up till 4 AM, but luckily RA isn't directly passed down like that! There's a small genetic link, but it's not a guarantee. So don't lose sleep over your family tree, trust me, sleep is precious.

Vikram Rathore Vikram Rathore Joined May 2026 4 months ago

It has some genetic markers, but lifestyle plays a massive role in whether those genes activate. I track my sleep, exercise, and gut health on my apps because keeping inflammation low is key. Focus on what you can control today rather than your family history!

Divya Sharma Divya Sharma Joined Apr 2026 4 months ago

From what I studied in my college genetics class, it's not directly hereditary like some other conditions. You might inherit the genes that make you prone to it, but you don't inherit the actual disease itself. So chill, having a relative with RA doesn't mean you're definitely getting it.

Rohan Mehra Rohan Mehra Joined Jun 2026 4 months ago

I had the same doubt because my uncle has it. I went to Medanta and asked the rheumatologist there; he told me it's not directly hereditary. He advised me not to stress and just get tested if I ever feel persistent joint stiffness in the morning.

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Lata Nair Lata Nair Joined Mar 2026 4 months ago

There is a slight family connection, but do not worry. To keep your joints strong and prevent future issues, try taking a spoon of flaxseeds daily or warm ginger tea. But if you already have joint swelling, please get it checked by a specialist doctor.

Shreya Ghoshal Shreya Ghoshal Joined Jan 2026 4 months ago

Between my 9-to-9 job and kids, I don't have time to worry about hypotheticals. While there is a genetic component, it's not strictly hereditary. Just manage your stress, eat healthy, and if you have joint pain that lasts over 2 weeks, block a calendar slot and see a doctor.

Abhishek Bakshi Abhishek Bakshi Joined Apr 2026 4 months ago

Relax, you can't blame your parents entirely for this one! It's not like inheriting your dad's nose or your mom's temper. The genetic risk is small, so don't start drafting a complaint letter to your ancestors just yet.

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