🔥 Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

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🔥 Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease where your immune system mistakenly attacks your own joints.

This is not simple “wear-and-tear” arthritis.
It’s an inflammatory immune disorder.

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🧠 What’s Actually Happening?

Normally, your immune system protects you from infection.

In RA:

• The immune system attacks the lining of the joints (synovium)

• Inflammation develops

• The joint lining thickens

• Over time, cartilage and bone can be damaged

It often affects:

• Hands

• Wrists

• Knees

• Feet

And usually on both sides of the body (symmetrical pattern).

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⚠️ Common Early Signs

• Morning stiffness lasting more than 30–60 minutes

• Swollen, warm joints

• Joint pain in small joints (fingers, wrists)

• Fatigue

• Low-grade fever

• General feeling of illness

Unlike osteoarthritis, RA often starts gradually and affects multiple joints.

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🔬 Why It’s Serious

RA doesn’t just affect joints.

Because it’s autoimmune, it can also affect:

• Lungs

• Heart

• Eyes

• Blood vessels

If untreated, it can cause:

• Joint deformity

• Loss of function

• Disability

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🧪 How It’s Diagnosed

Doctors look at:

• Blood tests (Rheumatoid factor, Anti-CCP antibodies)

• Inflammatory markers (ESR, CRP)

• X-rays or MRI

• Physical exam findings

Early diagnosis is critical.

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🛠 Treatment

There is no cure, but it is very treatable.

Treatment may include:

• DMARDs (disease-modifying drugs)

• Biologic medications

• Anti-inflammatory drugs

• Steroids (short-term)

• Physical therapy

• Lifestyle changes

Early aggressive treatment can prevent joint damage.

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💥 Bottom Line

Rheumatoid arthritis is:

• An autoimmune inflammatory disease

• Progressive if untreated

• Highly manageable with modern medicine

The earlier it’s treated, the better the outcome.