Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disorder that affects the joints of the body. In severe cases, it can affect more than just joints, it can damage body systems. It can affect different body systems such as skin, heart, eyes, lungs, blood vessels, etc. the condition occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the tissues of the body.
Rheumatoid arthritis affects the lining of body joints; it can cause swelling resulting in bone erosion and can deform the joints. The inflammation of one part of the body can severely damage other body parts causing physical disabilities.
The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are:
- Stiffness of the joints which is worse in the morning and after any kind of inactivity
- Swollen joints and tenderness in the joints
- Weight loss, fever, and fatigue
The condition can affect the smallest of joints and it particularly affects the joint that attaches the finger to your hands and toes to the feet. The similar type of symptoms spreads across ankles, wrists, hips, elbows, shoulders, and knees. As per research, around 40% of people having rheumatoid arthritis do not have joint pains. It can affect many non-joint parts such as lungs, skin, eyes, heart, kidneys, salivary glands, bone marrow, nerve tissue, blood vessels, etc. the signs of the disease varies from patient to patient, it can cause joint deformity causing the joint to shift out of place.
What causes rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is caused when the immune system attacks the synovial, lining of the membrane surrounding the joints. The inflammation thickens the synovium and can destroy the cartilage and bone that are within the joints. The tendons and ligaments holding the joints together get weakened and they stretch causing erosion. Eventually, the joints lose the shape and alignment.
There are no particular causes for this condition to occur but they are most likely associated with a genetic component. THere are some environmental factors such as infection with certain viruses and bacteria which can trigger the disease.
Risks involved
Rheumatoid arthritis can affect women more than men, it can occur at any age mostly it begins between the ages of 40 and 60 years. If any family member has rheumatoid arthritis, the chance of occurrence increases. Even cigarette smoking has been said to increase the risks of developing rheumatoid arthritis especially if you have genetic predisposition to develop the disease.
Rheumatoid arthritis increases your risk of developing osteoporosis that can weaken your bones and makes you more prone to fractures. This condition can further cause rheumatoid nodules, which are the firm bumps of tissue around pressure points such as the elbow. Other than this, it can dry the eyes and mouth; it can cause infections and abnormal body composition. It can also further cause carpal tunnel syndrome and varied heart problems. Rheumatoid arthritis increases the risks of hardened and blocked arteries causing heart problems. It can also cause lung disease since it increases the risk of inflammation and scarring of lung tissues leading to progressive shortness of breath.
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