What is Rheumatoid   Arthritis?

Read about Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease presented in simple easy to understand language

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that primarily affects the joints and surrounding tissues, but can also affect other organ systems. The major problem caused by Rheumatoid Arthritis is inflammation. The one-way progression of the inflammation may lead to permanent destruction if treatment is not started as soon as possible. In Rheumatoid Arthritis, inflammation affects different joints with different frequencies. The inflammation associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis also occurs outside the joints. These inflammatory changes are called extra-articular features. It has been found that damage to bones begins during the first or second year of the disease. Therefore, RA demands early, expert diagnosis by a physician or specialist. 

In order to understand what RA is, it is better to know first about joints and synovium. A joint is surrounded by a joint capsule that protects and supports it. Cartilages cover and protect the ends of the two bones. The joint capsule is lined with a type of tissue called synovium. The synovium is the joint lining which surrounds the joint cavity. It produces the joint fluid, which lubricates the joint and allows for smooth movement. In rheumatoid Arthritis, the immune system of the body attacks its own cells inside the joint capsule. The reason behind such abnormal behavior of immune system is not known. As a result, the synovium becomes thickened and inflamed, producing large volumes of fluid. This large volume of fluid causes pain, stiffness, redness and swelling in the joints. As the disease progresses, these abnormal synovial cells begin to invade and destroy the cartilage and bone within the joint. The surrounding muscles, ligaments, and tendons that support and stabilize the joint become weak and unable to work normally. All of these effects lead to pain and deformities often seen in rheumatoid Arthritis. Read More...