Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is chronic inflammation of the joints, its chronic, meaning no cure and its an autoimmune disease, meaning, its caused by the immune system attacking other body cells. The inflammatory disorder basically attacks the synovial joints leading to destruction of articular cartilages ankylosis of joints and can lead to functional disability.
Rheumatoid Arthritis is a systemic disease meaning it can affect multiple body organs and it’s a progressive illness meaning it can last for years and at times without any symptoms. Damage to the joints can occur early in the disease and be progressive. Moreover, studies have shown that the progressive damage to the joints does not necessarily correlate with the degree of pain, stiffness, or swelling present in the joints.
In normal persons body, the antibodies in the immune system seek and destroy invading organisms, particular infections etc. In autoimmune systems, the antibodies target and attack their own body tissues and cells and this causes inflammation. This inflammation is usually also extended to tissues surrounding the joints. The attack of the joints causes them to swell and there is bone erosion. This bone erosion can be avoided if it's detected early and treatment started (typically controlling symptoms).
For unknown reasons, RA is known to affect a disproportionately higher percent of women than men and has been observed to occur between ages 40 and 60 though even in other ages, it has been observed.
About 1% of the world's population is afflicted by rheumatoid arthritis, women three times more often than men. Onset is most frequent between the ages of 40 and 50, but people of any age can be affected. It can be a disabling and painful condition, which can lead to substantial loss of functioning and mobility if not adequately treated.
Rheumatoid Arthritis is a systemic disease meaning it can affect multiple body organs and it’s a progressive illness meaning it can last for years and at times without any symptoms. Damage to the joints can occur early in the disease and be progressive. Moreover, studies have shown that the progressive damage to the joints does not necessarily correlate with the degree of pain, stiffness, or swelling present in the joints.
In normal persons body, the antibodies in the immune system seek and destroy invading organisms, particular infections etc. In autoimmune systems, the antibodies target and attack their own body tissues and cells and this causes inflammation. This inflammation is usually also extended to tissues surrounding the joints. The attack of the joints causes them to swell and there is bone erosion. This bone erosion can be avoided if it's detected early and treatment started (typically controlling symptoms).
For unknown reasons, RA is known to affect a disproportionately higher percent of women than men and has been observed to occur between ages 40 and 60 though even in other ages, it has been observed.
About 1% of the world's population is afflicted by rheumatoid arthritis, women three times more often than men. Onset is most frequent between the ages of 40 and 50, but people of any age can be affected. It can be a disabling and painful condition, which can lead to substantial loss of functioning and mobility if not adequately treated.
