What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Author: John Published Under: Health
Most of the more than one-hundred types of arthritis are not very common, with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis being the most common, representing the majority of reported cases. Of those with arthritis, approximately 2 million suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, which is the most common type of inflammatory arthritis.
The exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is not known, however it is believed to be linked to an autoimmune response from the body. An autoimmune response is when the body begins attacking healthy cells, in the same manner it would attack an infection or wound.
In most cases, rheumatoid arthritis develops later in life, although it can occur at any age. It is usually a Polyartrtitis, which means it affects many joints in the body. One of the major symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis is extended joint inflammation, which will, over time, result in joint damage that can not be reversed.
Risk Factors of Rheumatoid Arthritis
One of the leading risk factors of rheumatoid arthritis is age, although gender and genetics are also leading factors. However, smoking, obesity, and a history of blood transfusions has also been shown to play a role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis.
- Gender: Around 75% of those diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis are female, so this is one of the most common risk factors. However, the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis in males greatly increases with age.
- Genetics: Studies have found that about 60% of those with rheumatoid arthritis share a similar genetic predisposition, with a specific protein of the white blood cells called leucocytes(HLA-DR4) being linked to the disease. However, most studies have concluded that genetics are more of a role in how severe the disease will be, rather than how frequently it occurs.
- Age: Rheumatoid Arthritis can occur at any age, but is most common among those over 60. Previously, it had been thought to occur mainly in those between 20 and 45, but this is no longer predominantly believed.
How Rheumatoid Arthritis Affects the Body
In rheumatoid arthritis, the synovial membrane will become inflamed, resulting in pain, swelling, and stiffness. At first the swelling only extends to the soft tissue around the joint, with fluid often accumulating around the joint.
Stiffness is a major symptom of rheumatoid arthritis, which often occurs for over an hour in the morning. However, it does not only occur in the morning, sometimes lasting all day.
Over time, the inflammation around the joint persists, which will result in permanent damage to the joints. The greater the inflammation, the greater the risk of damage to the joints.
As the damage to the joint begins, it results in bony swellings and deformities around the joint. Muscle weakness also occurs, in part because, in an effort to reduce pain, the joint often is not used as much.
In some cases, rheumatoid arthritis will begin very slowly, with periodic pain and swelling, most often in the smaller joints of the fingers, wrists, and feet. Overtime, this pain becomes much worse. About 20% of the time, the symptoms develop very rapidly though.
Sometimes, people will experience bouts of rheumatoid arthritis at first, which goes away only to return again. Eventually, however, it does not go away and remains. Rheumatoid arthritis can actually greatly vary in regards to how it develops and affects people.