RA........did you know??........

 Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of chronic arthritis that usually occurs in joints such as hands, knees and wrists. The joint pain typically occurs in both sides of the body, a key characteristic that helps distinguish rheumatoid arthritis from other types of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis begins when the immune system mistakes healthy tissue for a foreign substance and subsequently attacks itself, causing the joint lining to swell.

Key symptoms of arthritis include joint pain, swelling and stiffness. In rheumatoid arthritis, joint inflammation is the primary symptom. Wrists, feet, ankles and fingers are the most commonly affected. Rheumatoid arthritis can even affect the joint that is responsible for the tightening of our vocal cords to change the tone of our voice, the cricoarytenoid joint. When this joint is inflamed, it can cause hoarseness of the voice.

Early signs of rheumatoid arthritis:

• Weakness
• Widespread muscle aches
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Morning stiffness

Eventually, joint pain will appear - symptoms of joint pain include:

• Stiffness - reduced range of motion in the joints
• Inflammation - redness and tenderness of the joints
• Swelling - swollen, puffy area around the joint

Additional rheumatoid symptoms may also include:

• Fever
• Numbness or tingling
• Swollen glands
• Eye burning and/or itching
• Lung inflammation

Rheumatoid arthritis also increases your risk of developing:

• Osteoporosis. Rheumatoid arthritis itself, along with some medications used for rheumatoid arthritis, can increase your risk of osteoporosis — a condition that weakens your bones and makes them more prone to fracture.
• Carpal tunnel syndrome. If rheumatoid arthritis affects your wrists, the inflammation can compress the nerve that serves most of your hand and fingers.
• Heart problems. Rheumatoid arthritis can increase your risk of hardened and blocked arteries, as well as inflammation of the sac that encloses your heart.
• Lung disease. People with rheumatoid arthritis have an increased risk of inflammation and scarring of the lung tissues, which can lead to progressive shortness of breath.

In general, arthritis involves the breakdown of cartilage, which usually protects the joint and allows for smooth movements. When cartilage breaks down, the bones are not protected so they rub together causing inflammation and stiffness. However, rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the immune system attacks joint linings.