Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that not only impacts joints but can also affect a variety of body systems including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, and blood vessels. As an autoimmune disorder, rheumatoid arthritis arises when the immune system erroneously assaults the body’s own tissues.
Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include joint pain, tenderness, swelling, or stiffness that persists for six weeks or longer. Morning stiffness lasting for at least 30 minutes is common, and more than one joint is usually affected. Initially, small joints like those in the wrists, hands, and feet are typically involved, with the same joints affected on both sides of the body.
RA is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease, leading to inflammation in multiple joints simultaneously, often in the hands, wrists, and knees. The exact cause of RA remains unknown; however, it stems from the immune system attacking healthy cells and tissues, causing joint inflammation and potentially damaging the skeletal system and other organs, including the heart and lungs.
Inflammation symptoms include swelling, redness, and warmth in the affected joint or area. If you suspect you have rheumatoid arthritis, consult a rheumatologist, a medical professional specializing in these conditions.
Additional symptoms include stiffness after extended periods of inactivity, fatigue, and pain and stiffness in the same joints on both sides of your body. RA is a chronic, systemic inflammatory autoimmune disorder that primarily affects joints, leading to pain, swelling, synovial destruction, and deformities. It can also manifest with extra-articular features like rheumatoid nodules and pulmonary fibrosis. The risk of developing RA increases with age.
For more information, visit the Mayo Clinic, Arthritis Foundation, CDC, Johns Hopkins Medicine, WebMD, Cleveland Clinic, and AMBOS for detailed information and treatment options.
