Rheumatoid Arthritis Causes

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that means the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the immune system attacks the membrane lining that surround the joints. As a result of the attack on the membranes, inflammation thickens the synovial which eventually invades and destroys the bone and cartilage located within the joint. Rheumatoid arthritis causes ligaments and tendons holding the joint together to eventually become weak and break. Soon after, the joint will lose its shape and alignment. Rheumatoid arthritis causes susceptibility to environmental factors such as bacteria build up, viruses and infection.

Rheumatoid arthritis can present itself at any age, but it is strikes between the age of 40 and 60 and its victims are mostly women, by about 70%. Genes and hormone changes are seen as the culprit when it strikes women, although research has not been able to verify that.

Rheumatoid arthritis causes joint pain and discomfort. The effects of rheumatoid arthritis causes loss of appetite, fatigue, overall muscle aches, weakness and fatigue. Joint pain and discomfort due to rheumatoid arthritis causes stiffness and discomfort in joints such as fingers and toes, wrists and elbows, and shoulders, ankles, hip and neck. Additional rheumatoid arthritis causes anemia, burning and itching eyes, low grade fever, limited range of motion, hand and feet deformities, swollen glands, paleness and skin redness due to inflammation.

Damage to joints as a result of rheumatoid arthritis isn’t necessarily due to the severity of the disease. The damage can occur early in the disease and can often be permanent. Someone with rheumatoid arthritis may not always experience pain and joint stiffness. There will be periods of time when the symptoms seem to vanish. That does not mean the arthritis has gone away. It just means the disease is in remission, and it will just be a matter of time before the symptoms reappear again.

There are self help methods the arthritis sufferer can use to minimize the symptoms and includes exercises to keep the muscles and joints supple and flexible. There are crèmes and lotions that can be applied to the effected areas that will send heat penetrating into the joints and muscles. The temporary heat prevents the joints from swelling and becoming stiff.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that has no cure, only moments of remission. The symptoms may worsen over time, or they may remain static. There are over the counter and prescription medications that are used to manage the symptoms of the disease and there are exercises the arthritis sufferer can incorporate into their daily routine that will help manage the symptoms.

Rheumatoid arthritis affects everyone differently. Some people suffer from symptoms on a regular basis and others barely notice the mild discomfort brought on by the same disease that can cripple some people. Arthritis sufferers have a high incident of depression and anxiety, and that can adversely affect the quality of life. Rheumatoid arthritis causes a higher incident of depression and anxiety, but can be treated as part of the long term arthritis care.