Rheumatoid Arthritis Overview

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease that causes inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissues. It can lead to long-term joint damage, resulting in chronic pain, loss of function and disability.

The immune system is a complex organization of cells and antibodies designed normally to "seek and destroy" invaders of the body, especially infections.

Rheumatoid arthritis patients have antibodies in their blood which target their own body tissues, where they can be linked with inflammation. Because it can affect multiple other body organs, rheumatoid arthritis is referred to as a systemic illness and is sometimes called rheumatoid disease.

The joints in the hands and feet are most often affected by rheumatoid arthritis, but any joint lined by a membrane may be involved. Medication can control the inflammation; if the inflammation is not controlled, deformity of the joints can result. It can lead to long-term joint damage, resulting in chronic pain, lost function and disability.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Stages

Normally, rheumatoid arthritis progresses in three stages:

• First Stage: The synovial lining found in the joint where bone ends meet experiences swelling. This leads to pain, warmth, stiffness, and redness around the joint. The swelling of the synovium is caused by a reaction of the immune system, which is activated by as of yet unknown trigger, leading the lymphocytes to send their chemical messengers, called cytokines, to the affected area.
• Second Stage: Reacting to the inflammation, the synovium undergoes rapid cell division, called pannus, thus leading to a thickening of the synovial lining. This progression leads to more pain for the patient.
• Third Stage: With the synovium thickened, the inflamed cells around it release enzymes. These enzymes contain chemicals capable of digesting bone and cartilage, tissues that make up the joint because of their involvement in overall shape and realignment of the bones and muscles. When the bone and cartilage are attacked, the joint loses its shape and alignment, resulting to more pain and even loss of movement.

Nature Of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease. That means, it may progress indefinitely and may not go away entirely. While it is quite true that the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis may disappear for some time, frequent flares may also occur.

In addition to being a chronic disease, rheumatoid arthritis is also a systemic disease. This means that it can affect other organs in the body, like the skin, blood vessels, lungs, and heart.

Rheumatoid arthritis results from the interaction of many factors such as genes, hormones, and the environment. Research suggests that a person's genetic makeup is an important part of the picture, but not the whole story.

Some evidence shows that infectious agents, such as viruses and bacteria, may trigger rheumatoid arthritis in people with an inherited tendency to develop the disease. However, a specific agent or agents are not yet known.

Because it is a chronic disease, Rheumatoid arthritis continues indefinitely and may not go away. Frequent flares in disease activity can occur. Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease, which means it can affect other organs in the body.

Early Rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis and treatment is critical if you want to continue living a productive lifestyle. Studies have shown that early aggressive Rheumatoid arthritis treatment can limit joint damage, which in turn limits loss of movement, decreased ability to work, higher medical costs and potential surgery.

Rheumatoid arthritis is two to three times more common in women than in men and generally strikes between the ages of 20 and 50. But rheumatoid arthritis can also affect young children and adults older than age 50.

RA affects 1 percent of the U.S. population or 2.1 million Americans. Currently, the causes of Rheumatoid arthritis are unknown, although there are several theories. And while there is no cure, it is easier than ever to control Rheumatoid arthritis through the use of new drugs, exercise, joint protection techniques and self-management techniques.

While there is no good time to have rheumatoid arthritis, advancements in research and drug development means that more people with Rheumatoid arthritis are living happier, healthier and more fulfilling lives.

There's no cure for rheumatoid arthritis. But with proper treatment, a strategy for joint protection and changes in lifestyle, you can live a long, productive life with this condition. It is significant to note that rheumatoid arthritis is not contagious. A person cannot catch it from someone else.