Rheumatoid Arthritis

Definition of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis can also cause inflammation of tissue around the joints, as well as on other organs in the body. Autoimmune diseases are illnesses that occur when the body tissues in vain (mistaken) is attacked by its own immune system. Immune system is a complex organization of cells and antibodies are created as normal to find and eradicate the invaders of the body, particularly infections. Patients with autoimmune diseases have antibodies in their blood that target their own body tissues, where they can be associated with inflammation. Because it can affect various other body organs, rheumatoid arthritis is referred to as a systemic disease and is sometimes called rheumatoid disease.

When rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease, meaning it can take place yearly, patients may experience long periods without symptoms. Typically, however, rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive disease that has the potential to cause joint destruction and functional disability.

A joint is where two bones meet to allow movement of body parts. Arthritis means joint inflammation. Joint inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis causes swelling, pain, stiffness, and redness in the joints. The inflammation of rheumatoid disease can also occur in tissues around the joints, such as tendons, ligaments, and muscles.

In some patients with rheumatoid arthritis, chronic inflammation leads to destruction of cartilage (cartilage), bone, and ligaments, causing deformity of the joints. Damage to joints can occur early in disease and may be progressive. Moreover, studies have shown that the progressive damage to the joints are not necessarily correlated with the degree of pain, stiffness, or swelling that is present in the joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a rheumatic disease (rheumatic) are common, affecting approximately 1.3 million people in America, according to current census data. This disease is three times more common in women than in men. He has caused illness in people of all ethnic groups are alike. The disease can begin at any age, but it most often begins after age 40 years and 60 years of age sebelun. In some families, multiple members can be influenced, suggested a genetic basis for this disorder.