Rheumatoid Arthritis Online

The exact causes of rheumatoid arthritis are still unknown. It can develop at any age, but is most common between the ages of 30 and 50.

so how exacly does rheumatoid arthritis develop?

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an auto-immune disease, which means that the body’s self-defence system turns on itself. If you have Rheumatoid Arthritis, your immune system attacks the cells that line your joints, making them swollen, stiff and painful.

Your immune system is a very sophisticated network of cells and tissues which usually produces chemical messengers and cells to fight off things that can harm you, such as viruses. But in Rheumatoid Arthritis, your immune system attacks your joints.

Your joints become inflamed, and over time this can damage the joint itself, the cartilage and the bone. Rheumatoid Arthritis can affect any joint. Hands, feet and wrists are commonly affected, but it can also damage other parts of the body, such as the lungs, heart and eyes. Early diagnosis and treatment can control symptoms and help prevent disability. Early treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis has been shown to limit damage to joints and improve the quality of life.