Rheumatoid arthritis is a common rheumatic disease, affecting approximately 1% of the world population. There are over 2,500,000 people in the United States and over 750,000 in Germany suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. The disease is three times more common in women as in men. It afflicts people of all races equally. The disease can begin at any age, but most often starts after age forty and before sixty. In some families, multiple members can be affected, suggesting a genetic basis for the disorder.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints. It can also cause inflammation of the tissue around the joints, as well as other organs in the body. Autoimmune diseases are illnesses that occur when the body tissues are mistakenly attacked by its own immune system. The immune system is a complex organization of cells and antibodies designed normally to “seek and destroy” invaders of the body, particularly infections. Patients with autoimmune diseases have antibodies in their blood that target their own body tissues, where they can be associated with inflammation. Because it can affect multiple other organs of the body including heart and kidneys, rheumatoid arthritis is referred to as a systemic illness and is sometimes called rheumatoid disease.
While rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic illness, meaning it can last for years, patients may experience long periods without symptoms. Typically, however, rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive illness that has the potential to cause joint destruction and functional disability.
Similar Posts
7 steps to radiant skin
Everyone dreams of having a radiant clear skin. And you can make it a reality by following these 7 simple strategies. Follow a good balanced diet for inner wellbeing and…
Ayurvedic Remedies For High Cholesterol
What is cholesterol? A soft, waxy substance found among the lipids in the bloodstream and in all your body’s cells. It’s an important part of a healthy body because it’s…
Ayurvedic treatment for weight loss – Fast and Safe
Lets start with a few statistics 1. Among people 15% to 29% above ideal weight, the rate of Heart attacks is 80% greater than those in their ideal weight and among those…
Medicinal plants of India
jagatyevam anoushadham na kinchit vidyate dravyam vashaannaarthayagayoh’ “There is nothing in this universe, which is non-medicinal, which cannot be made use of for many purposes and by many modes.” This…