What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Arthritis is a disorder that affects the joints, often making bending them very painful. The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis, but there are a number of other kinds of arthritis. Rheumatoid Arthritis is another common arthritis that affects approximately 1% of the worlds population and is more common in women.

Rheumatoid Arthritis, like other forms of arthritis, typically affects the joints and can be very painful, but it can also lead to damage to other organs in the body.

While the exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is not known, it is believed that autoimmunity, which is when the body does not recognize its own tissues and in essence attacks itself, plays a big part in the development of rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis primarily affects the joints, causing inflation around areas like the hips, knees, and hands. Often these areas will become very tender and swollen, offering limited mobility. It is most commonly found in smaller joints, like the hands or spine, but Rheumatoid Arthritis will almost always end up affecting more than one joint in the body.

Often the first noticeable symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis is morning stiffness, which can last for more than an hour, but then subsides later in the day. This is one of the ways that Rheumatoid Arthritis is set apart from other types of arthritis, like osteoarthritis, where the pain and stiffness is constant throughout the day.

When Rheumatoid Arthritis is first developing, preforming very gentle exercise can help lessen this morning pain. However, as it progresses, it can severely limit a persons mobility and result in cause the joints to become deformed.

Between 15 and 25% of those who are affected by Rheumatoid Arthritis will also develop problems that spread to other organs, which is another way the Rheumatoid Arthritis is different from other types of arthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis can lead to fibrosis of the lungs, which is where extra fibers begin to form in the lung, and Renal Amyloidosis, which is when proteins are deposited in the kidney. While these two symptoms are not as common, an increased risk of heart disease and stroke is.

Rheumatoid Arthritis can also cause eye problems, neurological problems, and increase the risk of osteoporosis. The increased risk of osteoporosis is especially alarming for women, who are three times more likely to contract Rheumatoid Arthritis and also more likely to contract osteoporosis.

Like most other forms of Arthritis, it is usually the effects of the symptoms, like joint pain and morning stiffness, which lead an individual to become tested for Rheumatoid Arthritis. X-rays, MRIs, and ultrasounds are also used, but often testing begins with a blood test.

The Blood test can reveal the presence of rheumatoid antibodies, but in about 15% of patients the blood test will return negative results, so it should not be solely relied upon. This is especially true in the first year and since a number of other diseases have similar symptoms, a definite diagnosis is very important.

Like other forms of arthritis, there is no known cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis and so treatment often revolves around relieving pain. Since severe disability can occur if left untreated, it is also important to try to slow the deterioration of the joints.

There are a number of medicines available to help treat rheumatoid arthritis, but it is very important to do a good deal of research and talk with your doctor. This is because many of the treatments are highly debated, still being tested, and of questionable effectiveness.

Low impact exercises, like swimming, and maintaining a healthy diet are also shown to help. Many treatments also involve injections to the affected joints.

Most individuals who develop Rheumatoid Arthritis will have some of their daily activities affected. Within five years, about a third of those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis will not be able to work and after 10 years, half report substantial disability.