Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease, which means your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body by mistake, causing inflammation in the affected parts of the body.
Key Fact: Unlike osteoarthritis, which is caused by wear and tear, rheumatoid arthritis affects the lining of your joints, causing a painful swelling.
Common Symptoms
Tender, Swollen Joints
Joints that are warm to the touch and visibly inflamed.
Morning Stiffness
Stiffness that is usually worse in the mornings and after inactivity, lasting for over 30 minutes.
Joint Symmetry
Symptoms usually occur in the same joints on both sides of the body.
Fatigue and Fever
Systemic symptoms like extreme tiredness and a low-grade fever.
Risk Factors
- Female sex
- Age (most common in middle age)
- Smoking
- Family history
Diagnosis & Treatment
Diagnosis
Diagnosis involves blood tests to look for specific inflammatory markers and clinical signs.
Common Treatments
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DMARDs: Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs that slow the progression of the disease and save joints from permanent damage.
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Biologics: A newer class of DMARDs that target specific parts of the immune system that trigger inflammation.
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Occupational Therapy: Learning how to perform daily tasks while protecting and reducing stress on the joints.