Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the joints. It can strike at any age, but onset is usually between the ages of 30 and 50. Like many autoimmune diseases, RA is more prevalent in women—two to three times more women than men have this disease.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease, mainly characterized by inflammation of the lining, or synovium, of the joints. It can lead to long-term joint damage, resulting in chronic pain, loss of function and disability. An autoimmune disorder, rheumatoid arthritis occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body's tissues. In addition to causing joint problems, rheumatoid arthritis can also affect your whole body with fevers and fatigue.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) progresses in three stages. The first stage is the swelling of the synovial lining, causing pain, warmth, stiffness, redness and swelling around the joint. Second is the rapid division and growth of cells, or pannus, which causes the synovium to thicken. In the third stage, the inflamed cells release enzymes that may digest bone and cartilage, often causing the involved joint to lose its shape and alignment, more pain, and loss of movement.
Because it is a chronic disease, RA continues indefinitely and may not go away. Frequent flares in disease activity can occur. RA is a systemic disease, which means it can affect other organs in the body.
What are the symptoms and signs of rheumatoid arthritis ?
The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis commonly include:
- fatigue,
- loss of energy,
- muscle and joint aches, and stiffness, usually most notable in the morning and after periods of inactivity.
- red, swollen, painful, and tender joints.
- Dryness in the eyes and mouth
What causes rheumatoid arthritis?
The exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown. It is believed 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 activation of the immune system in susceptible individuals. This misdirected immune system then attacks the body's own tissues.
This leads to inflammation in the joints and sometimes in various organs of the body, such as the lungs or eyes. Environmental factors also seem to play some role in causing rheumatoid arthritis. For example, scientists have reported that smoking increases the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.