RA begins in the smaller joints of the body and can cause pain, stiffness and tenderness in the finger joints. As RA progresses, symptoms can develop in the larger joints such as the hips, shoulders, and ankles. It is called as a symmetrical disease.
About RA. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease that causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints. In some people, it can also cause the joints to become damaged and deformed. Examples include multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Inflammation. Redness, swelling, pain, and/or a feeling of heat in an area of the body. This is a protective reaction to injury, disease, or irritation of the tissues. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disease that causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function in the joints. It occurs when the immune system, which normally defends the body from invading organisms, turns its attack against the membrane lining the joints. For example, rheumatoid arthritis generally occurs in a symmetrical pattern, meaning that if one knee or hand is involved, the other one also is. The disease often affects the wrist joints and the finger joints closest to the hand. It can also affect other parts of the body besides the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are different types of arthritis. They share some similar characteristics, but each has different symptoms and requires different treatment. So an accurate diagnosis is important. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis affects about one-tenth as many people as osteoarthritis. RA Characteristics. RA begins in the smaller joints of the body. You are likely to have pain, stiffness and tenderness in the finger joints. As RA progresses, symptoms can develop in the larger joints such as the hips, shoulders, and ankles. Rheumatoid arthritis is a symmetrical disease. You will experience symptoms on both sides of your body at the same time. Each kind of arthritis also has its own set of symptoms that is not shared. RA is a systemic disease. The autoimmune aspect of rheumatic disease affects the entire body, not just the joints. For this reason, early signs of RA can include low-grade fever, muscle aches, and excessive fatigue. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a long lasting autoimmune disorder that primarily affects joints. It typically results in warm, swollen, and painful joints. Pain and stiffness often worsen following rest. Most commonly the wrist and hands are involved with typically the same joints involved on both sides of the body. While the cause of rheumatoid arthritis is not clear, it is believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The underlying mechanism involves the body's immune system attacking the joints. This results in inflammation and thickening of the joint capsule. Two of the most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis have different causes, risk factors, and effects on the body: 1  Osteoarthritis pain, stiffness, or inflammation most frequently appears in the hips, knees, and hands. Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are different types of arthritis. They share some similar characteristics, but each has different symptoms and requires different treatment. So an accurate diagnosis is important. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis affects about one-tenth as many people as osteoarthritis. The main difference between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis is the cause behind the joint symptoms. Osteoarthritis is caused by mechanical wear and tear on joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the body's own immune system attacks the body's joint The main difference between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis is the cause behind the joint symptoms. Osteoarthritis is caused by mechanical wear and tear on joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the body's own immune system attacks the body's joints. They share some similar characteristics, but each has different symptoms and requires different treatment. So an accurate diagnosis is important. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis affects about one-tenth as many people as osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). A disease in which the immune system attacks the linings of the joints. This results in joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and destruction. PubMed Health Glossary. (Source: NIH-National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases). Part of: Arthritis, Autoimmune Disease. Examples include multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Inflammation. Redness, swelling, pain, and/or a feeling of heat in an area of the body. This is a protective reaction to injury, disease, or irritation of the tissues.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001467/ http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=60768 http://www.emedicinehealth.com/comparing_rheumatoid_arthritis_and_osteoarthritis-health/article_em.htm http://www.healthline.com/health/rheumatoid-arthritis/ra-vs-oa https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rheumatoid_arthritis http://www.arthritis.com/signs_of_arthritis http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/tc/comparing-rheumatoid-arthritis-and-osteoarthritis-topic-overview http://www.emedicinehealth.com/comparing_rheumatoid_arthritis_and_osteoarthritis-health/article_em.htm http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001467/
characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis