Rheumatoid Arthritis Quiz: What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints. Though joint stiffness is a symptom of this, it is not the disease itself. Arthritis also causes pain, swelling, redness, and warmth.

In early stages of rheumatoid arthritis, the inflammation in the joints can cause tenderness and pain. There may not be as much redness or swelling as there is in later stages. Other early signs of rheumatoid arthritis may include joint stiffness that lasts at least 30 minutes, especially in the mornings. Some patients may have flare-ups, which can include fever, loss of appetite, and fatigue.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) differs from some other forms of arthritis because it is symmetrical, affecting both sides of the body. Other types of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, may affect only one side of the body. Rheumatoid arthritis is also characterized as an autoimmune disorder, one in which the body mistakenly attacks its own tissues, while osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that happens over time.

Rheumatoid arthritis tends to affect three times as many women as men, and symptoms may be more severe in women as well. RA tends to affect women at earlier ages, and men seem to have more cases of remission of the disease.

People with rheumatoid arthritis tend to experience muscle and joint stiffness most in the morning or after extended periods of inactivity.

Rheumatology is the branch of medicine that involves the study of disorders of the joints, muscles, and bones, autoimmune diseases, and soft tissue diseases. A rheumatologist is usually an internal medicine specialist or pediatrician, with additional specialized rheumatology training to identify and treat the more than 100 different types of arthritis in addition to other autoimmune disorders such as lupus, gout, and osteoporosis.

Treatment for rheumatoid arthritis usually involves a combination of medication, exercise, rest, and protecting the joints. Surgery may be needed in some cases.

Currently, there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis. Treatment for RA that is started early on in the disease process can help minimize or slow damage to the joints and improve quality of life for patients.

A flare is the sudden appearance, increase, or worsening of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms such as pain, inflammation, redness, warmth, or tenderness. Flares can last for days or weeks.

The chronic inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis can lead to debilitating loss of cartilage, bone weakness, and joint deformity in some patients. Damage to the joints worsens over time.