Rheumatoid Arthritis - Symptoms and Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a form of arthritis that causesjuts out when the joint is flexed.
pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of function in yourRashes may suddenly appear and disappear,
joints. It can affect any joint but is common in the wristdeveloping in one area and then another. High fevers
and fingers. More women than men get rheumatoidthat tend to spike in the evenings and suddenly
arthritis. It often starts between ages 25 and 55. Youdisappear are characteristic of systemic juvenile
might have the disease for only a short time, orrheumatoid arthritis.
symptoms might come and go. The severe form canSwelling and pain in the joints must occur for at least 6
last a lifetime.weeks before a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is
RA remains a serious disease and one that can varyconsidered. The inflamed joints are usually swollen and
widely in symptoms and outcomes. Even so, recentoften feel warm and "boggy" when touched. The pain
advances in treatment have made it possible to stopoften occurs symmetrically but may be more severe
or at least slow the progression of joint damage. Manyon one side of the body, depending on which hand the
of these new treatments have emerged in the last 10person uses more often.
years because of exciting and rapidly advancingCauses of Rheumatoid Arthritis
research into the fundamentals of inflammation.Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the body's defence
Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory form of arthritismechanisms go into action when there's no threat and
that causes joint pain and damage. Rheumatoid arthritisstart attacking the joints and sometimes other parts of
attacks the lining of your joints (synovium) causingthe body. It's not yet known why the immune system
swelling that can result in aching and throbbing andacts in this way in some people.
eventually deformity. Sometimes rheumatoid arthritisTo effectively manage and minimize the effects of
symptoms make even the simplest activities — sucharthritis, an early and accurate diagnosis is essential. By
as opening a jar or taking a walk — difficult tounderstanding the symptoms and characteristics of
manage.each type of JRA, you can help your child maintain an
Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritisactive, productive lifestyle.
Stiffness: The joint does not move as well as it onceChronic inflammation can cause damage to body
did. Its range of motion (the extent to which thetissues, cartilage and bone. This leads to a loss of
appendage of the joint, such as the arm, leg, or finger,cartilage and erosion and weakness of the bones as
can move in different directions) may be reduced.well as the muscles, resulting in joint deformity,
Typically, stiffness is most noticeable in the morningdestruction, and loss of function. Rarely, rheumatoid
and improves later in the day.arthritis can even affect the joint that is responsible for
Rheumatoid arthritis usually causes problems in severalthe tightening our vocal cords to change the tone of
joints at the same time. Early rheumatoid arthritis tendsour voice, the cricoarytenoid joint. When this joint is
to affect your smaller joints first — the joints in yourinflamed, it can cause hoarseness of voice.
wrists, hands, ankles and feet. As the diseaseRheumatoid arthritis is twice as common in women
progresses, your shoulders, elbows, knees, hips, jawthan in men. This may be due to the effects of
and neck can also become involved.oestrogen (a female hormone). Research has
Nodules: These are hard bumps that appear on orsuggested that oestrogen may be involved in the
near the joint. They often are found near the elbows.development and progression of the condition.
They are most noticeable on the part of the joint thatHowever, this has not been conclusively proven.