Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes discomfort, swelling and stiffness in the lining of your joints. It most often affects joints in your fingers, hands, wrists, knees, ankles, feet and toes. Unlike other types of arthritis, RA typically affects joints on both sides of the body.

An autoimmune condition happens when the immune system, which normally protects the body, becomes confused and starts attacking healthy tissues. In rheumatoid arthritis, this happens when the immune system causes inflammation in the joints.

You can manage RA effectively if it is diagnosed early. However, if left untreated, the condition causes serious side effects, such as joint deformities and disability.

Seeking help for symptoms of RA allows your doctor to diagnose and treat it early. Although the condition cannot be cured, treatments can prevent it from getting worse and causing other conditions, such as:

• Anemia: RA can lower your red blood cell count, a condition known as anemia.
• Cardiovascular disease: People with rheumatoid arthritis have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, which includes conditions like heart attack and stroke, though the exact reason for this increased risk is unclear.
• Carpal tunnel syndrome: Carpal tunnel syndrome, common in people with rheumatoid arthritis, occurs due to compression of the median nerve and causes symptoms like aching, numbness and tingling in the hand.
• Widespread inflammation: Rheumatoid arthritis can cause widespread inflammation in the body, affecting the lungs (leading to chest pain and shortness of breath), heart (causing pericarditis and chest pain), eyes (causing pain or dryness), and blood vessels (leading to vasculitis, which can restrict blood flow and be life-threatening).
• Osteoporosis: Rheumatoid arthritis and some of its treatments can affect bone mass, making you more prone to osteoporosis.
• Permanent joint damage: If rheumatoid arthritis isn't treated early or controlled, joint inflammation can cause permanent damage, including harm to bones, cartilage, tendons (which may rupture) and joint deformities.
• Rheumatoid nodules: Rheumatoid arthritis may cause small bumps to form under the skin.