What is the Difference between Rheumatoid Arthritis and "Normal" Arthritis

If you were curious what “rheumatoid arthritis” was, then I want to tell you that it is NOT regular arthritis. The arthritis that we usually see is in older individuals; whose joints (around the knees and hands) feel stiff and painful. But I won’t be talking about that type of arthritis today...

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that 3 percent of the world’s population has been diagnosed with.  “Autoimmune disease” is basically a disease that causes the body’s immune system to attack itself. Interestingly enough; a large number of these victims are women.

When compared to normal arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis can affect individuals from almost any age. This form of arthritis is also unpredictable, since suffers either develop the disease slowly or suddenly. When children are the victims of this disease, it is called Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. 

How Does Rheumatoid Arthritis Occur?

Although physicians and medical experts know lots about the symptoms and reactions of the disease, the actual occurrence of its development is still uncertain. However, experts do agree that this disease was started by a virus, and it somehow came into contact with the individuals that were the most prone to the disease. Not everyone is susceptible to developing it though. So for example; if your close relative has been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, you do have the potential to develop the disease as well.

What are the symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a more extreme type of arthritis, because not only does it attack the joints of the body... it attacks the body’s organs as well! These are the symptoms:

1. The synovial membranes that line your joints become inflamed.
2. The inflammation causes a surplus of fluid to lubricate your joints.
3. This combination of fluid and inflammation produces swelling and pain in the joints.
4. After time in this condition the soft tissue and cartilage becomes weak, resulting in joint deformities.

Those are the regular symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, but there are additional symptoms that add to the present pain:

• Small swellings called nodules
• Dry eyes and mouth
• Enlarged lymph glands
• Swelling around the eyes, blood vessels, and heart
• Anemia