Rheumatoid Arthritis is a progressive autoimmune disease. The cause is not

known. It is an incurable disease. This disease has flareups and remissions

stages. Different factors can cause the flare ups such as stress or environmental

factors. The affected joints do not have to be symmetrical. Lots of different joints

all over the body can be affected. Mostly the smaller joints, such as the knees,

feet, hands which has warmth, erythema and swelling. An autoimmune

disease means the body is attacking itself. If the body doesn’t recognize itself the

immune system starts to attack the lining of the joints or what is called the

Synovial membrane when the immune system is in overactive state. When the

body attacks itself it damages the connective tissue. This …show more content…
The disease can affect any small joints but it affects mostly the hands

and the feet,Although RA can affect tissues and organs in some cases.

According to Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust and

Centre for Translational Inflammation Research, University of Birmingham,

Birmingham, UK “Chronic inflammatory changes thicken the synovial

membrane. The joint capsule swells, the synovial membrane becomes inflamed,

and the cartilage is eaten away. When the cartilage and bone erode, the joint

becomes painful because bone rubs against bone. “

The signs and symptoms joint discomfort or extremely tired, waking up in

In the morning stiff and in pain, dry mouth, pain upon inspiration, dry mouth. As

previously stated there will be joint pain. Genetics do play a part in people

getting RA, Doctors have seen families who pass down the autoimmune

disorder, where multiple people in one family can have this disorder. Muscle

atrophy or deformities are also part of the signs and symptoms as well as a low

fever. Rheumatoid Arthritis can be characterized by swelling of the joints