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Rheumatoid Arthritis
Alternate Names : RA
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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks itself. The pattern of joints affected is usually symmetrical, involves the hands and other joints and is worse in the morning. Rheumatoid arthritis is also a systemic disease, involving other body organs, whereas osteoarthritis is limited to the joints. Over time, both forms of arthritis can be crippling.
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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic autoimmune disease which initially attacks the synovium, a connective tissue membrane that lines the cavity between joints and secretes a lubricating fluid.
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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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The affect of rheumatoid arthritis can progress to the degree that it is crippling. Deformities distinctive to late-stage rheumatoid arthritis such as ulnar deviation of the bones of the hands, or swan-neck deviation of the fingers occur because muscles and tendons on one side of the joint may overpower those on the other side, pulling the bones out of alignment.
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• Definition
• Rheumatoid Arthritis Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
• Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms & Signs
• Rheumatoid Arthritis Prevention
• Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis & Tests
• Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment
• Rheumatoid Arthritis Prognosis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis Complications
• Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Groups
• Calling Your Health Care Provider
• Pictures & Images
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• Anemia
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Tests & Exams
• CBC
• ESR
• Hematocrit (HCT)
• Joint X-Ray
• Rheumatoid Factor
• Synovial Fluid Analysis
Surgery & Procedures
• Hip Joint Replacement
• Knee Joint Replacement
Other Topics
• Ankle Pain
• Appetite - Decreased
• Arthritis - Resources
• Bleeding
• Breathing Difficulty
• Elbow Pain
• Eye Burning - Itching and Discharge
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Finger Pain
• High Blood Pressure
• How to Make a Splint
• Joint Pain
• Joint Swelling
• Knee Pain
• Limited Range of Motion
• Malaise
• Neck Pain
• Nodules
• Paleness
• Prosthesis
• Rashes
• Skin Lumps
• Swelling
• Swollen Glands
• Ulcers
• Weight Gain - Unintentional
• Wrist Pain
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