Rheumatoid arthritis and symptoms

Rheumatoid arthritis usually develops between the ages of 30 and 50, but it can occur at any age. It affects approximately 2.1 million people in the United States, and about 70% of patients who have the disease are women. Incidence and Prevalence According to the Arthritis Foundation, RA is the second most common type of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a multisystemic disease, which means that in addition to the joints, it also can affect a number of organs in the body. Enzymes are released that digest cartilage and bone within the joint, causing the joint to become misshapen and misaligned. Rapid cell division and growth occurs in the synovium , causing thickening within the joint. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation in the lining of the joint , which causes mild-to-severe pain, warmth, redness, and stiffness in and around the joint