Multifaceted Disorders: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints. While inflammation of the tissue around the joints and inflammatory arthritis are characteristic features of rheumatoid arthritis, the disease can also cause inflammation and injury in other organs in the

Rheumatoid Arthritis(RA) is the most common type of autoimmune arthritis. RA is a progressive and debilitating musculoskeletal disorder that affects the joints symmetrically, causing a range of systemic effects. What it causes is still not well known; nevertheless, findings of new research points towards a believe that it is triggered by a defective immune system, which causes the release of inflammatory chemicals. These chemicals cause damage to cartilage and bone, usually affecting the wrists, the joints of the hand, including the knuckles, the middle joints of the fingers and feet. While this condition can affect any joints, besides, important body organs such as the eyes and the lungs can also be affected by the inflammation that occurs as a result of this chronic condition. Only in America 1.3 million of people are affected by this ailment, and 75 % of them are mainly women. Its onset usually occurs between fourth and sixth decades; however, RA can occur at any age("Diseases And

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic syndrome that is characterized by inflammation of the peripheral joints, but it may also involve the lungs, heart, blood vessels, and eyes. The prevalence of this autoimmune disease is between 0.3% to 1.5% of the population in the United States (Feinberg, pp 815). It affects women two to three times more often than men, and the onset of RA is usually between 25 and 50 years of age, but it can occur at any age (Reed, pp 584). RA can be diagnosed by establishing the presence of persistent joint pain, swelling in a symmetric distribution, and prolonged morning stiffness. RA usually affects multiple joints, such as the hands, wrists, knees, elbows, feet, shoulders, hips, and small

The main cause doctors have found is that the immune system attacks the human body and starts to destroy the bones (Arthritisorg, 2015). Because the body is sensing an attack, heavy swelling occurs. The inflammation, even though it is healthy to help recover and maintain homeostasis, leads to painful swelling. With too much inflammation, the synovial- the lining membrane that covers the joints- hardens, cartilage and ligaments are destroyed, and the structure of the bones loosens (Arthritisorg, 2015). In the bloodstream, researchers have found that patients with rheumatoid arthritis have a higher percentage of HLA (controls the immune system); have more STAT4 (regulates the immune system); and have more PTPN22 (develops rheumatoid arthritis) (Arthritisorg, 2015). Still today, doctors are trying to find more answers for this non-stopping

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a systemic autoimmune disorder. There are more than 100 different types of Arthritis, yet it is estimated that it affects approximately 1% of the population in the Western World. The disease is generally diagnosed in middle aged adults and the elderly. In rarer cases, children can also develop the disease and it is called Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. Women are three times more likely to have rheumatoid arthritis than men. (Stevens) Many people living with Rheumatoid Arthritis appear to be healthy individuals, but suffer internally. Today, I will discuss what rheumatoid arthritis is, how it is diagnosed, and how it affects the body.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that affects the cartilage in one 's joints, it is not curable, it can not be stopped, only the pain itself can be lessened. In an average person’s body, the immune system has one job; to attack foreign substances that may enter the body. With the 1.5 million people in the United States that have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, their bodies are “tricked” or mislead into thinking that the cartilage within their joints is what is foreign. Once their immune system attacks the joints, it causes inflammation within, which then in turn leads to the synovium (lining of the joints) tissue to thicken. The synovium makes a fluid that acts as a lubricant to the joints and helps everything move freely. Once that fluid is gone, swelling and pain is experienced next. After awhile, the cartilage within the joints begins to disintegrate and will eventually cripple the individual. Along with knowing exactly what RA is, by the end of this paper you will know signs and symptoms within the oral cavity and systemically, and you’ll be familiar with how nutrition is related to the progression of this disease.

Today in the United States there is an estimated 1.3 million people living and dealing with rheumatoid arthritis (Arthritis Foundation). One might ask, what exactly is rheumatoid arthritis? Well, rheumatoid arthritis, also commonly known as RA, is a form of inflammatory disease and an autoimmune disease. If the person is a minor, or below the age of six-teen, then the chronic disease can also go by the name of juvenile arthritis. The juvenile arthritis is, “Defined as chronic inflammation of the synovial joints, with unknown etiology, which starts before the age of sixteen and persists for at least six weeks” (Hink et al 1). This disease can affect anyone with a functioning immune system. Out of the 1.3 million people in the United States that have rheumatoid arthritis, 70% of that number is women (RA.com). Once again there are no certain reasons as to who receives this disease whether its children, elders, Caucasians, African Americans, etc. But once they do receive the illness, then it affects them immensely. “The disease is systemic, meaning it can occur throughout the whole body. It’s a chronic disease, so it can’t be cured” (Arthritis Foundation). The pain, stiffness and fatigue can affect the entire body. “RA occurs when your immune system, the system that protects your body from outside harm, mistakenly starts attacking healthy tissue” (RA.com). Rheumatoid arthritis is an incurable disease that is affecting

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease that attacks the musculoskeletal system. This means that certain cells of the immune system do not work properly and start attacking healthy tissues — the joints in RA. The cause of RA is not known. When inflammation occurs in the joint, immune cells release chemicals which attack the cartilage and bone, causing the swelling that leads to pain. This type of disease can cause many difficulties in the body itself. Such as pain, stiffness, swelling in joints, limited motion, loss of energy and appetite, low fevers, dry eyes and mouth, firm lumps at extremities and body discomforts. Rheumatoid arthritis mainly affects the small joints in the body like hands and feet. In rare cases, rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. normally the body’s immune system attacks and protects the body against foreign substance, with RA the immune system accidently attacks the joints. When the joints are mistakenly attacked inflammation occurs which causes the tissues to thicken thus resulting in pain and swelling of the joints. When this inflammation is undetected damage to the cartilage can occur, when this happens the spacing between the bones become smaller, the joints may become loose, painful, unstable and may also lose their mobility and deformity of the joints can occur.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an inflammatory and autoimmune disease that occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy joints, causing horrific symptoms such as immense pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of physical function (What is rheumatoid arthritis (RA)?). Joint pain which affects over seventy million Americans each year, can be discomfort, pain, or inflammation arising from any part of a joint, including cartilage, bone, ligaments, tendons, or muscles (Rheumatoid Arthritis.). It is very common in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis, which is inflammation or pain from within the joint itself. It can be mild, causing soreness only after certain activities, or it can be severe making even limited movement, particularly bearing

may become more and more difficult. It is important to treat and diagnose rheumatoid arthritis as soon as possible. The joint damage of rheumatoid arthritis is not just progressive, but is hidden. The amount of joint damage increases quickly. The synovial membrane thickens and accumulates synovial fluid, which can cause pain and tenderness in the peripheral joints. The membrane then produces an abnormal granulation tissue called pannus.

Cartilage damage in RA is result of several processes: 1. CD4 T helper cells and other cells in the synovial fluid become activated, promoting cytokine release and activating B lymphocytes. 2. Recruitment and retention of inflammatory cells in the joint sub lining region. 3. Vicious cycle of altered cytokine and signal transduction pathways. 4. Possible immune complex deposition and resultant inflammatory molecule release 5. RANKL release and osteoclast activation 6. Angiogenesis or growth of new blood vessels in the synovium. Several leukocytes are attracted out of circulation and into synovial membrane. The phagocytes of inflammation (neutrophils and macrophages) ingest the immune complexes and release powerful enzymes that degrade synovial tissue and articular cartilage. Overall, the immune system’s B and T lymphocytes are also activated. The B lymphocytes are stimulated to produce more RFs and T lymphocytes release enzymes that amplify the inflammatory response.

Gradually, the joint loses its shape and alignment. Doctor’s don’t know what causes this process to start, but it could be a genetic component. Your genes don’t cause the arthritis, but they can make you more susceptible to environmental factors, such as infection with certain viruses and bacteria that may trigger the disease. If a member of your family has the disease you are more likely to get it also. Rheumatoid arthritis can range from mild to severe. In most cases it is chronic, which means it lasts a long time even a lifetime. Scientists estimate the about 1.5 million people, or about 0.6 percent of the U.S. adult population have rheumatoid arthritis, according to the National Arthritis Data Workgroup. It occurs in all races and ethnic groups. Although the disease starts in mid-life, older teenagers and young adults may also be diagnosed with the disease. About two to three times as many women as men have the disease. Rheumatoid arthritis is primarily a disease of the joints. A joint is the point where two or more bones come together which is supposed to protect your immune system, the body from infection and disease, attacks joint tissues for unknown reasons. White blood cells, travel to the synovial and cause inflammation (synovitis), which causes the warmth, redness, swelling, and pain. As rheumatoid progresses, the inflamed synovium invades and destroys the cartilage and bone

Since rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease, it can also affect other organs and tissues, but it primarily attacks the joints in a symmetrical fashion. Rheumatoid arthritis develops from an abnormal immune response caused by exposure to an antigen, in a patient that is genetically susceptible. Autoantibodies develop and attack the patient’s cartilage and synovial tissues once the antigen exposure has occurred (Nelson, 2011). One of the most common

The process involves an inflammatory response of the capsule around the joints (synovium) secondary to swelling (hyperplasia) of synovial cells, excess synovial fluid, and the development of fibrous tissue (pannus) in the synovium (Gerd et al.,2014). RA is more prevalent among women than men, and usually develops in the fourth and fifth decades of life, with 80% of the total cases occurring between ages 35 and 50 (Kavanaugh and Lipsky 1996).RA reduces lifespan on average from three to twelve years. RA is associated with decreased physical function, disability, under employment, and overall diminished quality of life. (Maclean C H et al., 2000). When it occurs in children it is called Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. The incidence and prevalence of RA differs significantly over time and between continents. The prevalence in developing countries ranges between 0.1 and 0.5% (Akar et al., 2004). Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic inflammatory illness with prevalence of approximately 0.75% in India (Ausaf et al.,