Arthritis causes long-standing health problems for more than one in seven adults and many thousands of children. The word “arthritis” literally means joint inflammation and many people use this word to refer to all rheumatic diseases.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimune diseases that cause chronic inflammation (redness and/or heat, swelling, and pain) and malfunction of one or more connecting or supporting structures of the body especially affecting joints, tendons, ligaments, bones, and muscles.
Pain, swelling, and stiffness are common symptoms that can have a profound effect on the ability to perform daily activities. There are more than 100 rheumatic diseases, and some can also involve internal organs. Connective tissue diseases affect the supporting framework of the body and its internal organs. When the immune system, that normally protects the body from infection and disease, harms the bodies healthy tissues autoimmune disease occurs.
Because rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic illnes, individuals may experience long periods without symptoms. However, rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive illnes that has the potencial to cause join destruction and functional disability.
The terms “arthritis” and “rheumatic diseases” are sometimes used interchangeably.
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