Rheumatoid Arthritis
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis ?
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can affect more than just your joints. In some people, the condition can damage a wide variety of body systems, including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart and blood vessels. An autoimmune disorder, rheumatoid arthritis occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body’s tissues.
Unlike the wear-and-tear damage of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis affects the lining of your joints, causing a painful swelling that can eventually result in bone erosion and joint deformity. The inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis is what can damage other parts of the body as well. While new types of medications have improved treatment options dramatically, severe rheumatoid arthritis can still cause physical disabilities.
Symptoms
- Pain, stiffness and tenderness
- Swelling
- Stiffness, especially in the morning
- Decreased range of motion
- Fatigue (extreme tiredness)
- Fever
- Tender, warm, swollen joints
- Weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Rheumatoid Nodules
Cause
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. Normally, your immune system helps protect your body from infection and disease. In rheumatoid arthritis, your immune system attacks healthy tissue in your joints. It can also cause medical problems with your heart, lungs, nerves, eyes and skin. Doctors don’t know what starts this process, although a genetic component appears likely. While your genes don’t actually cause rheumatoid arthritis, they can make you more likely to react to environmental factors — such as infection with certain viruses and bacteria — that may trigger the disease.
Risk Factors
Factors that may increase your risk of rheumatoid arthritis include Your sex, Women are more likely than men to develop rheumatoid arthritis. Age, Rheumatoid arthritis can occur at any age, but it most commonly begins in middle age. Family history, If a member of your family has rheumatoid arthritis, you may have an increased risk of the disease. Smoking, Cigarette smoking increases your risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, particularly if you have a genetic predisposition for developing the disease. Smoking also appears to be associated with greater disease severity. Excess weight, People who are overweight appear to be at a somewhat higher risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.
When to see a Doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor if you have persistent discomfort and swelling in your joints.