What is rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that affects organs, tissues, and joints causing inflammation. This results in swelling and pain within the joint.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a form of arthritis that occurs in joint on either side of the body – such as hands, knees and wrists – which makes rheumatoid arthritis distinguishable from other types of arthritis. While it is principally known for affecting joints, rheumatoid arthritis can affect the nerves, heart, blood, eyes, lunch and skin. Rheumatologists – medical experts in the diseases that affects the joints and connective tissues of the human body – usually treat rheumatoid arthritis with anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids and antirheumatic drugs.

The symptomatology of rheumatoid arthritis is such that it affects the person or patient in a number of ways, manifesting differently in each person. For many rheumatoid arthritis patients joint pain and joint problems develop over the course of a decade. However, rheumatoid arthritis may manifest quickly whereas other patients may see their symptoms become acute then go into a sudden remission.

Rheumatoid arthritis primarily occurs in women three to one over men and currently affects one percent of United States residents. However rheumatoid arthritis is noted to be more acute in men than in women, manifesting its symptoms to a greater degree. Those diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis usually show symptoms in their 40s and 50s though it can, and does, often manifest in the elderly as well as children.

How does someone get rheumatoid arthritis?

The cause of rheumatoid arthritis is a mystery to doctors and researchers alike, however, it is currently hypothesized that it is because of a combination of factors such as hormones, the environment, and the patients genetics. It is unknown what triggers the body’s immune system to attack joints though some doctors theorize that it could be a reaction from the immune system from a specific virus. Some experts believe that there exists a genetic or inherited gene that may increase the chances of a person to develop rheumatoid arthritis.

Physiologically, rheumatoid arthritis develops after the immune system becomes “triggered” by as of yet unspecified causes, which makes the immune cells leave the blood supply and into the patient’s joints and surrounding tissue where they produce substances that cause the inflammation. This causes the extreme joint irritation and the breaking-down of cartilage as well as the excessive swelling of the body’s joint lining which leads to the bones possibly rubbing against one another. As a result, the joint becomes warm to the touch and can become swollen and painful.

The criteria for being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis as defined by the American College of Rheumatology lists that a person:

• Morning stiffness in and around a joint for an hour.
• Swelling around the joint or fluid build-up about the fingers, hand or wrist.
• Joint pain on both sides of the body – symmetric arthritis.
• Abnormal blood work results that show elevated amounts of rheumatoid factors.
• X-ray results that show destruction of the bone or joint around the inflamed or painful area.