aRheumatoid
arthritis (RA) is a long-term disease that causes inflammation of
the joints and surrounding tissues.
It can also affect other organs.
Alternative Names
RA;
Arthritis -
rheumatoid Causes, incidence, and risk factors
The
cause of RA is unknown. It is considered autoimmune disease. The body''s immune
system normally fights off foreign substances, like viruses. But in an
autoimmune disease, the immune system confuses healthy tissue for foreign
substances. As a result, the body attacks itself. RA can occur at any age.
Women are affected more often than men.RA usually affects joints on both sides
of the body equally. Wrists, fingers, knees, feet, and ankles are the most
commonly affected. The course and the severity of the illness can vary
considerably. Infection, genes, and hormones may contribute to the disease.
Symptoms
The
disease usually begins gradually with: Fatigue, Morning stiffness (lasting more
than 1 hour), widespread muscle aches; Loss of appetite, Weakness Eventually, joint
pain appears. When the joint is not used for a while, it can become warm,
tender, and stiff. When the lining of the joint becomes inflamed, it gives off
more fluid and the joint becomes swollen. Joint pain is often felt on both
sides of the body, and may effect the wrist, knees, elbows, fingers, toes,
ankle or neck.