Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a type of autoimmune arthritis affecting approximately 1.28 to 1.36 million adults in the United States. It is three times more common in women than in men and predominantly impacts the joints in the hands, wrists, and knees. The joint damage triggered by RA can lead to chronic pain, loss of balance, and joint deformity. Autoimmune disorders that specifically target the muscles, joints, and nerves include RA and multiple sclerosis (MS), along with polymyalgia rheumatica.
An autoimmune disease occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body instead of defending it. The exact cause of this misdirection is still unclear. There are over 100 recognized autoimmune diseases, with lupus, RA, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis being some of the more common examples. Common symptoms across various autoimmune diseases include fatigue, skin rashes, stomach ache, swollen glands, recurring low-grade fever, joint aches, and muscle pain. Despite these shared symptoms, each autoimmune disease also has unique features that differentiate it from others.
RA is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues, specifically targeting the lining of the joints. This results in painful swelling, potentially leading to bone erosion and joint deformity over time. Unlike osteoarthritis, which is caused by wear-and-tear damage, RA involves an immune response against the body’s own tissues.
Autoimmune arthritis, as seen in RA, involves the immune system attacking the joint lining, resulting in inflammation. However, this inflammation is not confined to the joints alone and can affect other parts of the body.
Inserting the image at the designated location and linking the referenced articles:
For further information, you can visit the following links:
Verywell Health on Autoimmune Arthritis
Everyday Health on Autoimmune Disorders of the Joints and Nerves
Cleveland Clinic on Autoimmune Diseases
Verywell Health on Autoimmune Disease Symptoms
Mayo Clinic on Rheumatoid Arthritis
Healthline on Autoimmune Arthritis
