Rheumatoid Arthritis Animation

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Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease that may affect many joints in the body.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease, mainly characterized by inflammation of the lining, or synovium, of the joints. It can lead to long-term joint damage, resulting in chronic pain, loss of function and disability.

Rheumatoid arthritis may start in any joint but ferquently affects the smaller joints in the hands.

Joint involvement is always symmetrical meaning that joints on both sides (right & left) of the body are affected at the same time.

The disease can also affect the eyes, lungs, heart and blood vessels.

Common symptoms include:

* Fatigue.
* Joint stiffness, particularly in the morning and when sitting for long periods of time.
* Flu-like symptoms, including a low-grade fever.
* Rheumatoid nodules, or lumps of tissue under the skin. These appear in about one-fifth of people with RA.
* Loss of appetite, depression, weight loss, anemia, cold and/or sweaty hands and feet.
* Involvement of the glands around the eyes and mouth, causing decreased production of tears and saliva.

The exact cause of RA is not known but we do know that the immune system plays an important part in RA.

In a healthy immune system the white blood cells produce anitbodies that protect the body against foriegn substances.

In Rheumatoid arthritis the immune system mistakes healthy tissue for a foriegn invader and attacks it.

In addition to the inflammation of the synovial lining the surrounding muscles and tendons also are weakend.

TNF, a proinflammatory cytokine produced by immune system plays a crucial role in causing joint inflammation

Recently, Anti-TNF therapy has been found to be useful in the treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Also called: RA
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a form of arthritis that causes pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of function in your joints. It can affect any joint but is common in the wrist and fingers. More women than men get rheumatoid arthritis. It often starts between ages 25 and 55. You might have the disease for only a short time, or symptoms might come and go. The severe form can last a lifetime.

Rheumatoid arthritis is different from osteoarthritis, the common arthritis that often comes with older age. RA can affect body parts besides joints, such as your eyes, mouth and lungs. RA is an autoimmune disease, which means the arthritis results from your immune system attacking your body's own tissues.

No one knows what causes rheumatoid arthritis. Genes, environment and hormones might contribute. Treatments include medicine, lifestyle changes and surgery. These can slow or stop joint damage and reduce pain and swelling

Rheumatoid Arthritis
What is it?

Rheumatoid arthritis (rue-ma-TOYD arth-write-tis) is a chronic disease, mainly characterized by inflammation of the lining, or synovium, of the joints. It can lead to long-term joint damage, resulting in chronic pain, loss of function and disability.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) progresses in three stages. The first stage is the swelling of the synovial lining, causing pain, warmth, stiffness, redness and swelling around the joint. Second is the rapid division and growth of cells, or pannus, which causes the synovium to thicken. In the third stage, the inflamed cells release enzymes that may digest bone and cartilage, often causing the involved joint to lose its shape and alignment, more pain, and loss of movement.

Because it is a chronic disease, RA continues indefinitely and may not go away. Frequent flares in disease activity can occur. RA is a systemic disease, which means it can affect other organs in the body. Early diagnosis and treatment of RA is critical if you want to continue living a productive lifestyle. Studies have shown that early aggressive treatment of RA can limit joint damage, which in turn limits loss of movement, decreased ability to work, higher medical costs and potential surgery.

RA affects 1 percent of the U.S. population or 2.1 million Americans. Currently, the cause of RA is unknown, although there are several theories. And while there is no cure, it is easier than ever to control RA through the use of new drugs, exercise, joint protection techniques and self-management techniques. While there is no good time to have rheumatoid arthritis, advancements in research and drug development mean that more people with RA are living happier, healthier and more fulfilling lives.