Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease where your immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of your joints, called the synovium. This can lead to painful swelling that can eventually cause bone erosion and joint deformity. It typically affects joints on both sides of the body, like both hands, wrists, or knees.
Beyond the joints, RA can also affect other organs like the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, and blood vessels.
Symptoms can vary but often include joint pain, stiffness (especially in the morning), fatigue, and fever. While there’s no cure, early diagnosis and treatment with medications like disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologics can help manage pain, reduce inflammation, and slow down the progression of the disease, allowing people with RA to live more active lives. Lifestyle adjustments like exercise and healthy eating also play a crucial role in managing the condition.
