Rheumatoid arthritis is a serious inflammatory disease that impacts more than just the joints.

This condition can be harmful to many systems of the body, including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart and blood vessels.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that occurs when the immune system accidentally invades one’s own body tissues.

Rheumatoid arthritis affects the lining of the joints causing a painful inflammation that can eventually lead to osteoporosis and joint damage.

Inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis can also damage other parts of the body and cause physical disability.

Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Although the real cause of rheumatoid arthritis is not known, it is generally thought to be due to a combination of the following factors:

• Environmental factors
• Genetics
• Hormones
• Abnormal immunity

In general, the human body can be protected from disease with the help of our immune system.

But in some people possible infections, smoking, and physical or emotional stress, among other causes, trigger the immune system to attack the joints and sometimes other organs, leading to rheumatoid arthritis.

A person’s risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis is determined on the basis of gender, heredity, and genes. Rheumatoid arthritis affects women three times more than men.

Signs and Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Fatigue, fever, excessive sleep and loss of appetite
• Gentle, warm, swollen joints
• Joint stiffness that worsens especially in the morning and after prolonged inactivity

Rheumatoid arthritis initially affects small joints, especially the joints that connect the fingers to the hands and the toes to the feet.

As the disease develops, symptoms spread to the wrists, knees, ankles, elbows, hips, and shoulders. In most patients, the symptoms occur in the same joints on both sides of the body.

Approximately a third of people with rheumatoid arthritis also experience signs and symptoms in which the joints are not involved. Other affected areas include:

• Kidneys
• Lungs
• Heart
• Skin
• Eyes
• Blood vessels
• Nerve tissue
• Salivary glands
• Bone Marrow

The symptoms and signs of rheumatoid arthritis affect each person individually and some have symptoms that come and go.

Intervals of high disease activity, called flares, alternate with remission time, where swelling and pain fade or disappear.

Gradually, rheumatoid arthritis can damage the joints and cause them to move out of place.

If someone has permanent joint discomfort and swelling that is hindering normal activity, you should visit your doctor.

Timely medical intervention can significantly slow the progression of the disease.

At Eva Hospital, Dr. Tanveer Bhutani has experience in treating rheumatoid arthritis and helping people to live painless life.