Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms

Rheumatoid arthritis or RA is an autoimmune condition leading to inflamed joint lining. The body wrongly assaults its own immune system. Rheumatoid arthritis could additionally afflict the cardiovascular, respiratory system, eye, nerve types or blood. It is an incessant condition typified by intermittent asymptomatic periods. The condition could aggravate with time and might be a life-long problem. When therapy is carried out aggressively and earlier on, it would help in slackening or halting advancement of the condition.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms

Rheumatoid arthritis bears resemblance to other arthritis forms and RA-induced inflamed joints are accompanied by pains, warmness and swell up. However, disparate to other arthritis forms, the inflammation is classically proportioned. This means that the condition would occur on the right as well as left side of the body concurrently (like the wrist, knee and hand).

Other rheumatoid arthritis symptoms comprise of rigidity felt in the joints, especially during dawn time or following time periods of immobility; on-going weariness and less grading fevers.

Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms characteristically arise at a gradual pace through the years, however could develop abruptly among several individuals.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Risk Factors

RA affects nearly one percent of the United States populace, generally striking people in the age bracket of thirty to fifty years old. However, individual below this range or elderly people could additionally develop the condition.

Rheumatoid arthritis has a two to three fold greater likelihood of developing among females as compared to males. Those who smoke cigarettes or presence of a family history of the condition are also at risk of developing the condition.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Causes

Immune cells like lymphocytes usually shield the system from alien assaulters. But, the reason behind such cells targeting tissues and joints in good health continues to be fuzzy. However, scientists consider a merger of heritable and environment-related factors donning a part. There might be a heritable pre-disposition among several individuals who in case, contract the infection due to a certain bacterial or viral form would go on to develop RA. However, till date, no definite infection has been recognized.

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Its Impact on Joint Health

Joint lining getting inflamed (known as synovium) could have a damaging effect on the bones and cartilages and lead to joint malformation. As the disorder advances, joints could start developing agonizing pains and incapable of properly functioning.

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Its Impact on the Body

Since RA is a systematic condition it could negatively impact organs and other regions of the body apart from the joints. These include:

• Rheumatoid nodules
  This firm-textured lump-like formations developing sub-dermally and in the inner organs.
• Sjogren’s Syndrome
  The glands present in the oral and eye area get inflamed and damaged. Other body areas could also develop the condition.
• Pleuritis
  The cells which line the lungs get inflamed.
• Pericarditis
  The cells that line the heart get inflamed.
• Anemia
  Lowered RBC count.
• Felty syndrome
  Lowered WBC count linked to spleen enlargement.
• Vasculitis
  Blood vessel gets inflamed that could hamper blood circulation to tissues.

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