Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is a chronic inflammatory disease of the joints that gradually reduces and disables joint movements. It is also known to affect an individual symmetrically. For instance, pain and inflammation of knee joints will appear together in the left and right leg.

A human body is a very complicated system. It is made up of very small functional units called as cells. Theses cells organize into various body parts to perform various activities, whether it is the joints in the hands or the blood circulation. They are also involved in the human immune system. The blood maintains the immune system of the body through its white blood cells, which are anti-bodies. They function towards fighting the foreign bodies or "invaders" that cause infection in the human body. Sometimes the antibodies, known for its immune services, "mistakenly" attack the "good tissues" in the body. The body reacts to the condition and as a defense mechanism causes the attacked area to inflame. One such chronic, autoimmune disease is the rheumatoid arthritis. It is a severe form of ailment caused by the inflammation of the joints or where two bones meet.

While in a normal case of arthritis the patient complains of just inflammation of joints, rheumatoid arthritis damages and deforms the joint, disabling its functions, especially its ability to move. RA leaves the inflamed joints swollen, stiff, and painful. In severe cases of RA, the soft tissues holding the muscle to bone, the tendons, ligaments, and fascia become affected. RA, in fact, damages the cartilages or the soft, flexible tissues causing movement of the bones, too. Rheumatoid arthritis can even extend to organs such as the spleen and liver in the body if deprived of proper health treatment. At such a stage, a person will face other problems such as low blood count, weight loss, fever, and dryness in the eyes and mouth.

RA begins with inflammation of joints, mainly the inner lining known as the synovial tissue. Synovial tissues are the case that holds the bones in the joint. The case contains synovial fluid, which greases the cartilages in between to help smooth movement. When the anti-bodies attack the synovial tissues, the area inflames and the joints develop pain, swell, and become rigid. Gradually, the synovial lining thickens. As the condition deteriorates, it releases fluids or enzymes that destroy cartilages and bones, reducing flexibility and leaving the joints deformed. Over a period of time, it becomes difficult to move that joint.

Rheumatoid arthritis can affect anyone, at any age, although, it is found more commonly in women than men. Another point to be noted is that the cause of RA need not always be genetic factors. This disease, to date, is not known to have a permanent cure. In some cases of RA, the disease remains dormant for a long period and attacks again. This is also known as a flare-up. Medical treatment, along with proper diet and exercise regime, would definitely help one to cope with rheumatoid arthritis.