What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease?

Rheumatoid arthritis, a disease of the joints and other areas of the body, can affect anyone at any age. While there isn't a cure for rheumatoid arthritis, there are different ways of treating the disease.

Definition

• Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissue. This causes the joints to acquire chronic inflammation. This disease affects the joints, the surrounding tissue and other body organs.

Causes

• There aren't any known causes for rheumatoid arthritis. There have, however, been suspicions of fungi, viruses and bacteria being the causes but they aren't proven causes. Genetics and environmental factors may also play a role in the cause of rheumatoid arthritis. An example of an environmental factor would be that those who smoke have increased chances of developing rheumatoid arthritis.

Symptoms

• The disease can trigger symptoms such as a low-grade fever, stiffness and aches of muscles and joints, loss or decrease in appetite, fatigue and lack of energy. The effects on other organs can include eye and mouth glands becoming inflamed triggering dryness.

Treatment

• Aspirin and cortisone are given to help decrease the pain as well as the inflammation. Hydroxychloroquine and methotrexate are prescribed to encourage the remission of the disease and help prevent any future or progressive join destruction.

Other Non-Medication Treatment

• Regular exercise helps keep the joints mobile and strengthens the muscles that are around the joints. Physical therapy may be recommended to guide the patient through certain exercises and techniques for a specific area of pain. If major damage is present the patient might be eligible for surgery.