Surely the disease of Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) needs no introduction. It is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disorder that has the capacity to affect many tissues and organs, but mainly attacks the joints producing an inflammatory synovitis that often progresses to destruction of the articular cartilage and ankylosis of the joints.

Apart from this, the disease is also known to lead to an assortment of problems, especially diffusion of inflammation in the lungs, pericardium, pleura, and sclera, and also nodular lesions, most common in subcutaneous tissue under the skin.

What is more, even though the cause of rheumatoid arthritis is obscure yet, autoimmunity plays a decisive role in its chronicity and progression.

Perhaps, in spite of naivety in the past, you have got some info by now. Let's make other facts clear as well. Isn't arthritis an old person's disease? This is also a very relevant question and asked by many. Well, it is unlike osteoarthritis, which is caused by wear and tear of the joints and usually affects the over-50s. On the contrary, Rheumatoid arthritis is basically an autoimmune disease, where the immune system goes into opposite and attacks certain parts of the body in place of protecting it.

Only in the realm of UK, in the region of 400,000 people has become vulnerable to the disease and it seems that a spate of the same is imminent. Try to note this down too. The dominance of the disease is three times more in women and can run in families.

What are the common symptoms? Symptoms range from very soft to severe and disabling. Joints become swollen and extremely agonizing and it can also affect organs such as the heart, lungs and eyes. Rheumatoid arthritis can start all of a sudden, but more often symptoms develop gradually. Persistent inflammation does exist also and can bring about joint damage over time and the joint may have to be replaced in severe cases.

Hence, if you are having any of the above-mentioned symptoms, it's time for you to contact the general practitioner in close proximity.