Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory condition of the joints which is caused by an autoimmune reaction where the immune system mistakenly recognizes our body tissues as foreign and attacks it.

RA mainly attacks joints, usually many joints at once. RA commonly affects joins in the hand, wrists, and knees. RA can also affect other tissues of lungs, heart and eyes.

Symptoms

• Pain and stiffness in joints and swelling of joints. Women are more affected than man. Joint stiffness might be worse in the morning and improves over the course of the day.
• Other symptoms include tiredness, weight loss and fever.

Diagnosis 

RA can be diagnosed based on symptoms, physical examination, and a blood test for autoantibodies.