Rheumatoid Arthritis or RA as it is commonly called affects more than 2 million people in the United States. It is more common in women than in men and usually develops between the ages of 25 and 50.
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease which causes chronic inflammation of the joints, usually of the fingers and hands but it is not limited to these joints. Inflammation due to RA can occur in the tissues that surround a joint such as the ligaments, tendons and muscles. The chronic inflammation can cause destruction of the ligaments, bone and cartilage which causes deformity in the joint.
The condition of rheumatoid arthritis causes the body’s immune system to lose the ability to differentiate between normal cells and contaminants which attack the body such as bacteria, viruses and fungi. The immune system is supposed to protect your body; with RA your defenses are impaired. The damaged immune system causes your joints to begin to weaken, this can occur with or without symptoms.
Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis
The exact cause of RA is not fully known. It is the subject of worldwide research. There are theories that infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses and fungi are triggers for the condition but this has not been proven scientifically. Genetics may play a role in a person’s tendency to develop RA, this is being researched.
Signs and Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis and its Effects on the Body
The signs and symptoms of RA vary from person to person. When the condition is active the symptoms can include aches and stiffness in the joints, lack of energy and fatigue, loss of appetite and low grade fever. Also during a ‘flare up’ the joints can become swollen, red, tender and painful.
Multiple joints can be affected and with RA this usually occurs symmetrically to both sides. The small joints of the wrists and hands are commonly involved. The small bones of the feet and ankles can also be affected; at times this is mistaken for gout. RA is a systemic disease and the inflammation it causes can affect areas of the body other than just joints such as organs and rarely even the vocal cords. The lungs can develop nodules of inflammation called rheumatoid nodules. The pericardium which is the tissue that surrounds the heart can also become inflamed which can cause severe chest pain with positioning.
Nodules can form at the joints impairing the ability to move them freely. The disease can cause great debility in the people it affects. If you think you have RA, talk to your doctor to determine if you do and discuss treatment options available to you.
Rheumatoid Arthritis or RA as it is commonly called affects more than 2 million people in the United States. It is more common in women than in men and usually develops between the ages of 25 and 50.
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease which causes chronic inflammation of the joints, usually of the fingers and hands but it is not limited to these joints. Inflammation due to RA can occur in the tissues that surround a joint such as the ligaments, tendons and muscles. The chronic inflammation can cause destruction of the ligaments, bone and cartilage which causes deformity in the joint.
The condition of rheumatoid arthritis causes the body’s immune system to lose the ability to differentiate between normal cells and contaminants which attack the body such as bacteria, viruses and fungi. The immune system is supposed to protect your body; with RA your defenses are impaired. The damaged immune system causes your joints to begin to weaken, this can occur with or without symptoms.
Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis
The exact cause of RA is not fully known. It is the subject of worldwide research. There are theories that infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses and fungi are triggers for the condition but this has not been proven scientifically. Genetics may play a role in a person’s tendency to develop RA, this is being researched.
Signs and Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis and its Effects on the Body
The signs and symptoms of RA vary from person to person. When the condition is active the symptoms can include aches and stiffness in the joints, lack of energy and fatigue, loss of appetite and low grade fever. Also during a ‘flare up’ the joints can become swollen, red, tender and painful.
Multiple joints can be affected and with RA this usually occurs symmetrically to both sides. The small joints of the wrists and hands are commonly involved. The small bones of the feet and ankles can also be affected; at times this is mistaken for gout. RA is a systemic disease and the inflammation it causes can affect areas of the body other than just joints such as organs and rarely even the vocal cords. The lungs can develop nodules of inflammation called rheumatoid nodules. The pericardium which is the tissue that surrounds the heart can also become inflamed which can cause severe chest pain with positioning.
Nodules can form at the joints impairing the ability to move them freely. The disease can cause great debility in the people it affects. If you think you have RA, talk to your doctor to determine if you do and discuss treatment options available to you.