Rheumatoid Arthritis : An Autoimmune Disorder

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 or “RA” is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks its own body tissues. This disease affects the lining of joints causing pain and swelling. Eventually the swelling can lead to bone erosion and joint deformity. RA can happen to anyone at any age, but the majority of people who have to endure this disease are women over the age of 40.

Rheumatoid Arthritis, what is it? The word Rheumatoid comes from the Greek word referring to rheumatism, which means any painful disorder from the joints. Arthritis means inflammation of the joint. (William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979). Putting these two words together Rheumatoid Arthritis creates a disorder. The pathophysiology of RA is that it is a chronic, systemic, inflammatory autoimmune disease which means that this disorder is attacking your own body (Silvestri, 2013).

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 an autoimmune inflammatory disease which causes inflammation on joints leading to disability. The deterioration is caused by constant attack in the synovium leading to synovial cells to a rough and grainy tissue eventually allowing the bones to crumble away. The disease currently has no cure and scientists are thriving to find a target specifically aiming at the bones.

“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

Joint stiffness may develop after long periods of sleeping or sitting. Nodules ranging in size develop in nearly one-third of people who have rheumatoid arthritis. Nodules usually develop on the elbows, knuckles, spine, and lower leg bones. Weight loss and a low-grade fever can also occur. Rheumatoid arthritis results in the destruction of cartilage in the joints, targets the synovial lining of joints and can damage the lungs, heart and the blood vessels. It occurs when your immune system attacks the synovium which is the lining of the membranes that surround your joints. The inflammation that results thickens the synovium, and can also destroy the cartilage and bone within the joint. The tendons and ligaments that hold the joint together get weak and stretch. This process causes the joint to lose its shape and joint

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 chronic autoimmune disease that is characterized by inflammation and destruction of the joints (1). It usually affects joints asymmetrically, or on both sides of the body

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the joints, most often in the hands and feet. It results in swelling, stiffness, pain, and sometimes joint, bone, and cartilage destruction. Rheumatoid arthritis usually affects joints on both sides of the body equally, meaning if a joint on one side is affected, the same joint on the opposite side is affected as well. Rheumatoid arthritis belongs to a group of diseases called autoimmune disorders that affects joints. In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system produces antibodies that attack the soft tissues lining of the joints. Eventually the cartilage, bone, and ligaments of the joint deteriorate, causing deformity, instability, and scarring within the joint

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.

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.,

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease in which your joints are very sore and ache multiple times of the day. This disease is in the autoimmune system because the immune system mistakenly attacks your own body tissue and results in these pains. It ordinarily affects the small joints of your hands and feet. The lining of these joints is attacked and causes painful swelling. It also affects other organs such as your skin, eyes, lungs, and blood vessels. If not treated correctly it is known to cause bone deformity. Rheumatoid arthritis is predominantly more common in women and generally begins around age 40.

It’s an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of the lining of the joints. An autoimmune disease occurs when the individuals own immune system fails to recognize healthy tissue. The immune system, designed to protect our health by attacking foreign cells such as viruses, instead attacks the body’s healthy tissue. As a result, fluid builds up in the joints causing inflammation and joint pain. According to WebMD, Rheumatoid Arthritis is a type of arthritis that occurs in joints on both sides of the body. This symmetry helps distinguish Rheumatoid Arthritis from other types of arthritis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says “the inflamed synovium leads to erosions of the cartilage and bone.” This inflammatory process primarily affects the lining of the joints, known as the synovial membrane, but can also affect other organs. As stated by James Warson, “the causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis are not known, but several theories are under investigation” (63). Some theories suggest that a virus may alter the immune system, causing it to attack the joints. Other theories suggest that exposure to smoking may lead to Rheumatoid Arthritis. It’s believed to be due to a combination of genetic, environmental, and hormonal