An overview of RA
Rheumatoid arthritis, often called RA, is a chronic disease that causes pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints. RA is an autoimmune disorder in which your own body mistakenly attacks healthy tissue, causing inflammation and damage to your joints. About 0.6% (approximately 1.3 million people) of the U.S. population suffers from RA. Patients usually develop the signs and symptoms of the disease between the ages of 35 and 50, with women affected 2 to 3 times more often than men.
RA differs from osteoarthritis (OA), the most common type of arthritis, which people most often experience later in life. Osteoarthritis is a condition in which the cartilage breaks down, causing pain, and loss of motion in the joint.
RA from the inside out
When your body has an infection, it's usually caused by a substance that your body recognizes as foreign. Because an outside or a foreign substance can cause harm, your immune system responds by sending specialized cells to the infected area to remove it. Once the cause of the infection is gone or under control, your immune system should return to its normal state.
Although the cause of RA is unknown, scientists have found that for people with RA, the immune system produces the same kind of specialized cells. These specialized cells can cause inflammation that may contribute to joint damage, as well as affect other parts of the body. Therefore, it's important to be aware of the overall impact of RA. Also, learning some tips for living with RA may be a helpful first step toward managing your disease.
Know more about RA
Rheumatoid arthritis affects people in various ways. Most people have tender, warm, or swollen joints. Sometimes there is symmetry associated with joint symptoms, meaning that if one knee has swelled, the other has too. Joints like the wrist or fingers are often inflamed, making them painful and difficult to move. Sometimes, people experience stiffness in the joints in the morning lasting 60 minutes or more. RA may also limit or be aggravated by your level of physical activity. The disease can also affect your ability to take care of yourself or even go to work.
Inflammation in the joints can lead to joint damage, which is more likely to progress over time if RA is left untreated. This joint damage can make motion more difficult.
Getting treatment for RA
Treating RA sooner than later can help to limit joint damage earlier. It's also important to know that joint damage can occur even when symptoms are mild. That's why it's important to see a rheumatologist. An early diagnosis and treatment program from a rheumatologist may potentially slow further irreversible joint damage. This is why communication is key to getting the help and information you need. Maintaining a dialogue with a rheumatologist may lead to a better understanding of the risks and benefits of current treatment options.
