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Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis or RA is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect many parts of the body including the skin, eyes, kidneys and membranes of the heart and lungs, but is principally associated with inflammation of the joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis mostly affects the capsule surrounding joints called synovium. The disease most commonly affects wrist, fingers, knees and ankles and is usually symmetrical meaning it affects the same joint on both sides of the body.

The cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown. Symptoms include stiffness when the joint is not used for long periods, joint pain in the same joint on both sides of the body.deformation of the joints and nodules under the skin.

Rheumatoid arthritis cannot be cured, but treatments can manage the disease and control its progression. Treatments include medications, biological agents, physical therapy and surgery such as knee replacement, ankle replacement or removal of the joint lining.

Doctors who diagnose and treat rheumatoid arthritis are called rheumatologists.




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