What is rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is traditionally considered a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack the joints. It is a disabling and painful inflammatory condition, which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and muscles.
Signs & Symptoms
Daily joint pain is one of the most common symptoms for rheumatoid arthritis. Most patients also experience some degree of depression, anxiety, and feelings of helplessness. Some of the more common symptoms for rheumatoid arthritis include: morning stiffness in and around the joints, at least three joint areas with simultaneous soft tissue swelling or fluid, and at least one swollen joint area, in the wrist, knuckle, or middle joint of the finger. The disease often affects the wrist and finger joints closest to the hand.
Do you feel pain in at least one of your joints daily?
Yes No
Is your body stiff in the morning around your joints?
Yes No
If you answer yes to any of these questions, see your doctor please
Who gets RA?
More than two million people in the United States have rheumatoid arthritis. Generally, it affects more women than men. RA typically develops between the ages of 25 and 50. While RA itself is not inherited, what can be inherited are the genes that may make someone more likely to develop the disease. Although scientists believe it is unlikely that genes alone bring about RA, research continues to discover what role genes may play in the development of the condition.
How do you know if you have RA?
Only a qualified physician can determine whether or not you have RA. While your general practitioner may be able to diagnose your symptoms, it's a good idea to see a rheumatologist if you suspect you have RA or any other type of arthritis.
Rheumatologists specialize in treating arthritis and are trained to manage conditions involving joints, muscles and bones. They can work with, or as a consultant to, your physician.
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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is traditionally considered a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack the joints. It is a disabling and painful inflammatory condition, which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and muscles.
Signs & Symptoms
Daily joint pain is one of the most common symptoms for rheumatoid arthritis. Most patients also experience some degree of depression, anxiety, and feelings of helplessness. Some of the more common symptoms for rheumatoid arthritis include: morning stiffness in and around the joints, at least three joint areas with simultaneous soft tissue swelling or fluid, and at least one swollen joint area, in the wrist, knuckle, or middle joint of the finger. The disease often affects the wrist and finger joints closest to the hand.
Do you feel pain in at least one of your joints daily?
Yes No
Is your body stiff in the morning around your joints?
Yes No
If you answer yes to any of these questions, see your doctor please
Who gets RA?
More than two million people in the United States have rheumatoid arthritis. Generally, it affects more women than men. RA typically develops between the ages of 25 and 50. While RA itself is not inherited, what can be inherited are the genes that may make someone more likely to develop the disease. Although scientists believe it is unlikely that genes alone bring about RA, research continues to discover what role genes may play in the development of the condition.
How do you know if you have RA?
Only a qualified physician can determine whether or not you have RA. While your general practitioner may be able to diagnose your symptoms, it's a good idea to see a rheumatologist if you suspect you have RA or any other type of arthritis.
Rheumatologists specialize in treating arthritis and are trained to manage conditions involving joints, muscles and bones. They can work with, or as a consultant to, your physician.
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