Rheumatoid Arthritis : A Common Disease

Rheumatoid arthritis can occur in all races and ethnic groups. Although the disease often begins in middle age and

Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease that affects whole systems of body particularly cardiovascular system, nerves, respiratory system (RACGP, 2009). The causes of rheumatoid arthritis are unknown but it is hereditary which assists to have a risk of rheumatoid arthritis by 50%-60% (RACGP, 2009).

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

“Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of chronic arthritis that occurs in joints on both sides of the body, such as both hands, both wrists, or both knees. This symmetry helps distinguish rheumatoid arthritis from other types of arthritis”. If a joint is deemed as arthritic that means that there is inflammation within the joint. Inflammation within a joint can cause swelling, redness, warmth and pain within that joint. Rheumatoid arthritis primarily affects the joints, but may also affect the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, blood, or nerves. Rheumatoid arthritis can present itself in many different ways. For some, joint symptoms develop gradually over several years, while others may develop quickly. Some people are affected by rheumatoid arthritis for a short

In general, arthritis is a group of more than one hundred inflammatory diseases that damage joints and their surrounding structures, resulting in symptomatic pain, disability, and system wide inflammation (Rogers). Out of the one hundred plus types of arthritis, the two most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, systemic inflammatory autoimmune disease. The disease happens when the immune system mistakenly attacks a healthy tissue as if it was a foreign invader, such as a virus or bacteria. If left untreated it can lead to permanent joint damage, decrease in quality of life, and total disability. It affects over a million people in the U.S. alone. Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms include persistent joint inflammation which causes joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. Fatigue and stiffness are usually early symptoms. Joint pain can be an early symptom in a variety of diseases. Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis often develop slowly over a period of weeks or longer, but this is not always the case, it can have an acute

Do you ever find yourself feeling limited to everyday activities due to throbbing in you joints? Do you ever wake up and find yourself battling with pain and stiffness? Well, just know you are not alone. All across America, thousands of people are affected by this disease every year. Generally, those who suffer the most from this chronic disease are ages 65 and over. Rheumatoid arthritis is taking a major toll on the lives of many senior citizens. Don’t let the swelling of your joints stop you from feeling young again.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, progressive autoimmune disease that is systemic in nature but primarily targets and damages the synovial joints. It is characterized by painful, swollen, stiff joints, which manifest primarily in the hands, wrists, elbows, knees, ankles, and feet. RA is more common among women than men and increases in prevalence with age, however it can also occur in young adults and children (Lee & Weinblatt, 2001).

Definition: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder, which affects the small joints of hands and feets, and the lining of joints that causes painful swelling. The swelling can eventually result in bone erosion and joint deformity. It’s an autoimmune disorder, in which the immune system mistakenly attacks own body 's tissues. Rheumatoid arthritis not only causes a joint problem, but it can also affect other organs of the body such as the skin, eyes, lungs, and blood vessels.

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 is an autoimmune disease in the general family of lupus. For reasons that are not understood, in rheumatoid arthritis the immune system goes awry and begins attacking tissues, especially cartilage in the joints. Various joints become red, hot, and swollen under the onslaught. The pattern of inflammation is usually symmetrical, occurring on both sides of the body. Other symptoms include inflammation of the eyes, nodules (or lumps) under the skin, and a general feeling of malaise.

The main cause of Arthritis is the decrease in the average amount of this cartilage tissue. Normal wear and tear causes OA, otherwise identified as Osteoarthritis of the most popular forms of arthritis. A disease or injury to the joints can worsen this natural breakdown of cartilage tissue. The patient's risk of developing Osteoarthritis may be higher if the patients have a family history of the disease. Another common form of arthritis, RA, otherwise identified as Rheumatoid arthritis, is an autoimmune disorder. It happens when your body’s immune system invades the tissues of the body. These attacks affect the

Rheumatoid Arthritis or (RA) is an autoimmune disease that attacks the joints and connective tissue. The result is inflammation that produces permanent damage in the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic syndrome that tends to be progressive and destructive as compared to Osteoarthritis or (OA), which is more of an age related disease caused by “wear and tear” of the joints. In contrast to (OA), rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by inflammation mostly of the joints, but is a general body disease.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that accounts for roughly 0.6% of the population in the United States. The disease typically affects the elderly, but also affects older teenagers, young adults and affects women three times more than men. Rheumatoid arthritis is when a person’s immune system to attack the synovial membranes of the joints and causes inflammation. The genetic link of rheumatoid arthritis is not completely clear. However, it has been shown that having a family member with rheumatoid arthritis will increase the risk of developing the disease. There are currently two genes being looked at that has shown to be involved in the development of rheumatoid arthritis, HLA-DRB1 and PTPN22. These were discovered by looking at