Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease. Normally, the immune system of the body fights external agents such as bacteria, viruses and fungi. In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system attacks the lining of the joints causing inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis is most common in people over 40 years of age, but can affect younger people as well with women being three times more susceptive to the disease than men. Currently, there are over 1.3 million people in the United States affected by the disease.
The exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is still unknown but scientists have found that certain genetic factors play an active role in the manifestation of the disease. Rheumatoid arthritis is also a chronic disease, meaning that periods of remission when the disease is not active are followed by periods of relapse when symptoms reappear.
What are the most common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis ?
The most common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis appear to be fatigue, lack of appetite, low-grade fever, muscle and joint pains and stiffness. Muscle and joint pains and stiffness are most common in the morning and after periods lacking physical activity. With the day progressing, the more you use and flex your joints, the more relief of the arthritis pain you will experience. Symptoms tend to develop gradually and are first experienced in small joints such as those of the hands and wrists affecting the everyday activities. Another common manifestation of the disease is that it affects symmetrical joints – for example both hands, both knees etc. The symptoms also tend to come and go and their reappearance is usually called a “flare up”. During periods of flare ups symptoms are aggravating and are more intense and severe, causing extreme physical discomfort.
Symptoms other than joint pain and stiffness are warmth and redness when the lining of the affected joint becomes inflamed. Then the skin above becomes warm, red and swollen. Every one in four people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis develops skin nodules, which are usually not painful and most commonly appear as lumps under the skin of the elbows and forearms.
