bone, joint, and muscle disorders
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Introduction
Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory arthritis in which joints, usually including those of the hands and feet, are inflamed, resulting in swelling, pain, and often destruction of joints. The Overview of the Immune System damages the joints and connective tissues. Joints (typically the small joints of the limbs) become painful and have stiffness that persists for more than 60 minutes on awakening and after inactivity. Fever, weakness, and damage to other organs may occur. Diagnosis is based mainly on symptoms but also on blood tests for rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) and on x-rays. Treatment can include exercises and splinting, medications (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, and immunosuppressive drugs), and sometimes surgery. Worldwide, rheumatoid arthritis develops in about 1% of the population, regardless of race or country of origin, affecting women 2 to 3 times more often than men. Usually, rheumatoid arthritis first appears between 35 years and 50 years of age, but it may occur at any age. A disorder similar to rheumatoid arthritis can occur in children. The disease is then called Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) . However, the prognosis for juvenile idiopathic arthritis is often somewhat different. The exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is not known. It is considered an Autoimmune Disorders . Components of the immune system attack the soft tissue that lines the joints (synovial tissue) and can also attack connective tissue in many other parts of the body, such as the blood vessels and lungs. Eventually, the cartilage, bone, and ligaments of the joint erode (wear away), causing deformity, instability, and scarring within the joint. The joints deteriorate at a variable rate. Many factors, including genetic predisposition, may influence the pattern of the disease. Unknown environmental factors (such as viral infections and cigarette smoking) are thought to play a role. Risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis include the following: Smoking Obesity Changes in the microbiome (the group of microorganisms that normally live in a particular part of the body, such as the digestive tract, mouth, and lungs) Periodontal disease ( Periodontitis ) Although some people who have rheumatoid arthritis find that specific foods may cause flare-ups, no specific foods have been proved to cause flare-ups or prevent joint inflammation and damage. 