What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder where the body’s immune system — that normally protects its health — mistakenly attacks the joints. This creates inflammation which results in the tissue that lines the interior of joints (the synovium) to thicken, leading to swelling in and around the joints.

Who Gets It?

Approximately 1.5 million people in america have rheumatoid arthritis (RA).  Almost 3 times as many women than men have the disorder.  In women, RA most commonly starts between ages 30 and 60.  In men, often it happens later in life.  Having a family history of Rheumatoid Arthritis increases an individuals probability of contracting RA.

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis most commonly affects the joints, feet, the hands, wrists, elbows, ankles and knees.  The joints it affects are symmetrical.  This means if your left knee is affected, your right knee will be affected too.    Since RA can affect body systems, like the cardiovascular or respiratory systems, it’s known as a disorder.

If inflammation goes undetected, it may damage cartilage.  Because of the inflammation there is reduction of cartilage, and also the joint spacing between bones may become smaller.  Joints can get loose, unstable, and debilitate. Joint deformity and damage can happen and cannot be reversed.  This is why physicians urge early detection and therapy to help stop the spread of rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a serious autoimmune disease that can be debilitating.  There is currently no cure for it, but with the proper medical care the symptoms can be controlled.