Current Therapies For Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease whereby the immune system which normally protects the body from invading pathogens and foreign materials, attacks the joints between the bones. This occurs as the white blood cells of the immune system move into the joints and release cytokines, attacking the synovial membrane, the inner lining of the joint. As a result, this causes the synovium to thicken, forming an abnormal layer of tissue to grow over the surface of the inner joints. Swelling, inflammation and pain are responses to this process and if not attended to, the cartilage and bones inside the joint can be destroyed and the space between one bone and the next can become narrower, allowing the bones to rub against each other making it more difficult to move. Joints can become irreversibly deformed, losing their firmness, stability and flexibility. RA can affect most joints in the body, including that of the wrists, elbows, hands, ankles, knees and feet. The disease usually occurs symmetrically, meaning that if the right elbow is affected, the left elbow is likely affected also. Current Therapies For Rheumatoid Arthritis