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About Rheumatoid Arthritis
Over 2 million Americans have rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
The cause of RA is unknown, and the disease can occur at any
age, although it begins most often between the ages of 25
and 55. Women are affected nearly three times as often as
men. Sadly, rheumatoid arthritis can affect the ability to
perform daily activities and the overall quality of life.
RA can lead to severe disability. Approximately 50 percent
of all RA patients must stop working within 10 years of diagnosis,
and 90 percent within 30 years.
Symptoms of RA may include: swelling, sensation of heat in
the joints, limited ability to move certain joints, and the
appearance of nodules or lumps under the skin. People with
rheumatoid arthritis often complain of fatigue and sickness,
loss of appetite, and joint stiffness in the morning.
This condition may develop suddenly and can cause permanent
joint damage. Wrists, fingers, knees, feet and ankles are
the most commonly affected joints. Other joints that may be
affected include the neck, jaw, elbows, and shoulders, and
hips.
Serious complications of rheumatoid arthritis can include:
- Inflammation of parts of
the eye
- Inflammation of the blood
vessels (Rheumatoid vasculitis), which can be life threatening.
- Skin ulcerations followed
by infections
- Stomach ulcers
- Heart complications affecting
the outer lining of the heart (pericarditis)
- Inflammation of the heart
muscle (myocarditis)
- Inflammation of the lining
of the lung (pleuritis)
About Rheumatoid Arthritis
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