What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Arthritis means in simple language joint inflammation. Inflammation is defined by redness, warmth, pain and swelling. Rheumatoid arthritis predominantly affects small joints of hands and feet and is symmetrical in nature meaning arthritis occurs on both sides of body which helps differentiating from other causes of arthritis. If not treated adequately, it starts involving large joints as well such as elbow, shoulders, hip, knees, ankles.

It is not restricted to joints and other organs such as skin, eyes, lungs , nerves, kidney and other major organs can be involved.

RA is the most common form of autoimmune arthritis, affecting more than 0.8-1% Indian population. Of these, about 75 percent are women.

In fact, 1–3 percent of women may get rheumatoid arthritis in their lifetime.

Its generally affects females in fourth to sixth decades of life, but young children, males and elderly can also be affected

Cause of rheumatoid arthritis

Exact cause behind rheumatoid arthritis is still not known. It is a multifactorial disease where genetics, environment, gender, smoking, hormones (estrogen) and diet plays a role. Rheumatoid arthritis is autoimmune disease where your immune system besides fighting infection, attacks your own body organs including joints and other body organs. In rheumatoid arthritis, synovial tissue that lines the joint is damaged by the chemicals released by your own immune cells.

What Are The Symptoms Of Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Joint pain -While RA can affect any joint, the small joints in the hands and feet tend to be involved most often. Gradually it involves large joints such as elbows , shoulder, hip, knees and ankles

Stiffness – especially in the morning or after sitting for long periods

Inflammation sometimes can affect organs as well, for instance, the eyes or lungs. 

Other signs and symptoms that can occur in RA include: Loss of energy, Low fevers, Loss of appetite, Dry eyes and mouth from a related health problem, Sjogren’s syndrome

Firm lumps, called rheumatoid nodules, which grow beneath the skin in places such as the elbow and hands

Rheumatoid arthritis affects each patients differently. If treated early i.e. within 3 months, chances of remission ( time with no symptoms) is high. If not treated, patients starts developing deformities of different joints causing difficulties in doing daily routine activities.

Rheumatoid arthritis affects each individual differently. In most people, joint symptoms may develop gradually over several years. In other people, rheumatoid arthritis may progress rapidly.

A few people may have rheumatoid arthritis for a limited period of time and then enter a remission (a time with no symptoms), then again joint symptoms recurs.

What Are The Symptoms Of Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Joint pain -While RA can affect any joint, the small joints in the hands and feet tend to be involved most often. Gradually it involves large joints such as elbows , shoulder, hip, knees and ankles

Stiffness – especially in the morning or after sitting for long periods

Inflammation sometimes can affect organs as well, for instance, the eyes or lungs. 

Other signs and symptoms that can occur in RA include: Loss of energy, Low fevers, Loss of appetite, Dry eyes and mouth from a related health problem, Sjogren’s syndrome

Firm lumps, called rheumatoid nodules, which grow beneath the skin in places such as the elbow and hands

Rheumatoid arthritis affects each patients differently. If treated early i.e. within 3 months, chances of remission ( time with no symptoms) is high. If not treated, patients starts developing deformities of different joints causing difficulties in doing daily routine activities.

Rheumatoid arthritis affects each individual differently. In most people, joint symptoms may develop gradually over several years. In other people, rheumatoid arthritis may progress rapidly.

A few people may have rheumatoid arthritis for a limited period of time and then enter a remission (a time with no symptoms), then again joint symptoms recurs.