What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Q: What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
A: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a serious, painful, and chronic (long-lasting) autoimmune disease where the body's immune system attacks healthy cells. This causes swelling of the capsules around the joints, an excess of synovial fluid, and tough fibrous tissue to build up in the synovium area. In some cases it can even destroy articular cartilage which normally cushions bones when they come together to form joints.
Q: What are some possible causes of RA?
A: The exact cause of RA is unknown but theories suggest that it may be related to hormones, environment, infection and genes.
Q: Who is most likely to get RA?
A: Women are two to three times as likely as men to get rheumatoid arthritis and most cases occur in people between the ages of 25 and 55.
Q: Is there a cure for RA?
A: Unfortunately there is no cure for RA at this time but doctors have determined ways to help slow down and reduce its impact on those affected by it.
Q: When was RA first recognized?
A: RA was first recognized around 1800 by Dr. Augustin Jacob Landré-Beauvais.
Q: How does RA affect the body?
A: When a person has RA their immune system attacks the joints and tissues around them causing swelling of capsules around joints, an excess production of synovial fluid which should cushion the joint, as well as tough fibrous tissue building up in the synovium area which also helps cushioning bones when they come together at a joint. Eventually this can lead to destruction of articular cartilage which normally covers these ends of bones preventing them from rubbing against each other painfully if destroyed by RA.
