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.
Causes of rheumatoid arthritis are still unknown. Although, the infectious agents such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses have long been assumed to be the cause of rheumatoid arthritis but none has been proven to be the cause. The causes of rheumatoid arthritis are very active area of worldwide research.
Unlike other types of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis is actually an autoimmune disease. The immune system of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis turns on its own, particularly attacking the joints and other surrounding tissue.
In rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis, the first step is the meeting between the doctor and the patient. The doctor reviews the history of symptoms, check the joints for inflammation and abnormality, the skin for rheumatoid nodules, and other body parts for inflammation. Certain blood and x-ray tests are often obtained.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease where white blood cells suddenly attack healthy tissues, specially joints and cartilage. Depending on which stage of the disease you are in, there are a few ways to help ease the symptoms of arthritis reumatoide.
