Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that usually affects the small joints of the body, generally the extremities. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints. This condition can also affect the tissues surrounding the joints (muscles, tendons, ligaments) as well as other organs of the body (skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs and muscles).

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic condition and it tends to last for many years though there are periods in between when the patient is without any symptom. RA is a progressive condition and over a period of time, it causes joint destruction and functional disability.

Although rheumatoid arthritis can affect anyone at any age, but it typically begins after the age of 40 and mostly seen in women.

CAUSES OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Scientists largely believe that the tendency to develop rheumatoid arthritis may be genetically inherited. It is also suspected that certain infections or factors in the environment might trigger the immune system to attack the body’s own tissues (Autoimmune response), resulting in inflammation.

In any case, the autoimmune response causes chronic inflammation of the joints, that later progresses to joint destruction. Stress can act a predisposing factor as well as a trigger to induce acute episodes of the condition.

SYMPTOMS OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Swelling of joints
Joints are warm and tender to touch
Morning stiffness
Loss of mobility
Deformities of hands and feet (at later stages)
Muscular Pains
Symmetrical affection of joints is common
Small joints of hands and feet; elbows, ankles are commonly involved
Skin redness or inflammation
Round, painless nodules under the skin
Inflammation of the lung (pleurisy)
Swollen glands
Anemia

COMPLICATIONS