Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that mainly affects the joints but may, in server case, affect many other organs such as heart, lungs, nervous system and eyes. It occurs in both men and women but is more common in women, generally occurring in a ratio of both three to one.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic condition that is frequently punctuated by periods when, for no apparent reason, the symptoms become worse, lessen or disappear. The disease itself may even disappear completely, in which case it is sometimes referred to as 'burnt out' rheumatoid arthritis.

This is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks the joint, this cause chronic inflammation of the issue around the joints, resulting in hot, painful swelling and eventually joint erosion and deformity over time.
 

Causes of Rheumatoid

Although the cause of rheumatoid is unknown, it is known that the disease occurs when the body defence mechanisms known as IMMUNE SYSTEM attacks the synovium or lining of the joints. Other factors also seems to play some role

• Smoking tobacco
• Genetic predisposition
• Bacteria or viruses

Symptoms

Although the main symptoms of rheumatoid are pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints, but depending on the degree of tissue inflammation, there are some other very common symptoms include:

• Pain and swelling in the joints
• Aching and stiffness in muscles and joints
• fever
• Deformity of joints
• Lack of appetite, and General loss of energy

Rheumatoid can cause bumps called nodules to form over the elbows, knuckles, spin and lower leg bones

Rheumatoid Treatment

There is no cure for Rheumatoid, but there are some treatment that help relieve symptom and control Rheumatoid arthritis which usually continues throughout patient's life. These treatments includes, lifestyle change, exercise and medications

There are many medicine used to treat pain and stiffness of rheumatoid, common drugs that are prescribed are an anti-inflammatory painkillers such as aspirin. It is good to remember using these medicines over a long period of time can cause side effects like stomach and intestinal bleeding, and more.

Joint replacement surgery can be useful as an addition to drug and physical therapy, This is the last course of action to treat rheumatoid as removing inflamed joint lining is painful and takes considerable amount of time to heal.

Written by Medpages Editorial Team
Last Editorial Review: 18/1/2010