What can i do to prevent rheumatoid arthritis? my mother has rheumatoid arthritis. how likely is it that i will get it too? is there anything i can do to prevent it?

First : First degree relatives of patients with rheumatoid arthritis have a slight increase chance of having the disease as well. Reumatoid arhtritis is a disease of the immune system likely caused by a combination of genetic predisposition ( we are born with a gene that under the right circumstances can be "switch on") and environmental factors, for example infections. Extensive research is under way trying to identify what can turn these genes on but as of today not one single factor has been identify and as a consequency there isn't anythig we can do to prevent it. Ithe chances that you will have rheumatoid are quite low and i wouldn't recommend any testing unless you have any specific symtoms then your physician will decide if they need to be done.

Some increased risk: Family members of RA sufferers are at a mild increased risk of developing ra, but the disease is not inherited directly. Your best bet is to stay generally healthy, so that your body can "fight." most important in being generally healthy is don't smoke. Smokers probably have greater risk of ra, and studies suggest they don't respond to treatment as well as they should.

Agree : I agree with the other answers but you want to keep your teeth healthy as well---cavities have been with ra.