Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory autoimmune disorder that attacks the joints. It can be chronic and affect more than one system. This means that other parts of your body can be involved. It can deteriorate and deform joints. Plus it will cause a great deal of pain and loss of movement. This disease can attack anybody between 20 and 40 years and can be genetic. It is known to be 4 times more common in smokers and 3 times more common in women.

Symptoms: The symptoms are different from other forms of arthritis. This is because not only single joints are affected but soft tissue swelling and inflammation of several joints are simultaneously attacked by this disease. This condition is termed as polyarthritis. Initially the joints are affected asymmetrically. The pain is different from other common forms of arthritis as it will move around, depending on which joints are being used.

Progression: As the problem progresses the inflammation associated with it will wear away and destroy the joints. This in turn will lead to deformity of the joints, making them twist into unnatural shapes. There are a number of terms used for different deformities like; Boutonnière deformity, swan neck and Z thumb deformities.

Other problems associated with Rheumatoid arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis affects many areas of the body and gives rise to other diseases and problems. One of the most common problems is anemia. Splenomegaly, enlargement of the spleen, is another complaint associated with Rheumatoid arthritis. Due to different treatments and the disease itself fibrosis can sometimes occur in the lungs. A general feeling of being unwell is often associated with flare ups of this disease.

Diagnosis: When diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis there are a number of points to take into consideration:

• Stiffness in the morning that persists longer than one hour: With other forms of arthritis stiffness will wear off after you move around for an hour or so.

• Having arthritis and soft tissue swelling in multiple joints: Other forms of arthritis often affect one joint at a time.

• Hands, and small joints are the most commonly affected

• subcutaneous nodules

• having a rheumatoid factor level above 95

• Radiology results showing joint erosion

If you have 4 or more of these factors it is very likely that you are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.

Treatment: Standard treatment of rheumatoid arthritis includes the use of antirheumatic medicines commonly known as DMARDS. These drugs will help to give remissions so that the disease is slowed down and less joint damage occurs. Anti inflammatory medicines and analgesics are also used to lesson the discomfort of this devastating disease.