RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS Meaning and
Definition
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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation and damage to the joints. It is a progressive condition that primarily affects the synovial joints, commonly targeting the hands and feet. However, it can also affect other organs and systems in the body.
The immune system plays a crucial role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis. In individuals with this condition, the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own healthy tissues, particularly the synovium that lines the joints. As a result, inflammation occurs, leading to pain, stiffness, and swelling in the affected joint. Over time, this inflammation can cause irreversible damage to the joint, leading to deformities and loss of functionality.
Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include joint pain, morning stiffness, fatigue, and tenderness. The disease tends to be chronic, with periods of flares and remissions. These flares can vary in severity and duration, impacting a person's quality of life.
Treatment for rheumatoid arthritis aims to manage symptoms, slow down disease progression, and prevent joint damage. This typically involves a combination of medication, physical therapy, and lifestyle modifications. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and biologic agents are commonly prescribed to reduce pain, inflammation, and minimize joint destruction.
Rheumatoid arthritis can have a significant impact on a person's daily functioning, including limitations in mobility, ability to perform activities of daily living, and overall well-being. Therefore, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are crucial to managing the symptoms and improving the long-term outcome for individuals with rheumatoid arthritis.
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• The atrophic form of a. deformans.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
- eheumatoid arthritis
- dheumatoid arthritis
- fheumatoid arthritis
- theumatoid arthritis
- 5heumatoid arthritis
- 4heumatoid arthritis
- rgeumatoid arthritis
- rbeumatoid arthritis
- rneumatoid arthritis
- rjeumatoid arthritis
- rueumatoid arthritis
- ryeumatoid arthritis
- rhwumatoid arthritis
- rhsumatoid arthritis
- rhdumatoid arthritis
- rhrumatoid arthritis
- rh4umatoid arthritis
- rh3umatoid arthritis
- rheymatoid arthritis
Etymology of RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
The term "rheumatoid arthritis" has the following etymology:
1. Rheumatoid: "Rheum" comes from the Greek word "rheuma" meaning "watery discharge" or "defluxion". It was used to refer to various bodily fluids, such as mucus, tears, or saliva. The term "rheumatic" was originally used to describe a disorder related to excessive flow or discharge of bodily fluids, which was believed to cause pain or inflammation in the joints.
2. Arthritis: "Arthritis" is derived from the Greek word "arthron", meaning "joint", and the Greek suffix "-itis", indicating inflammation. Therefore, "arthritis" refers to inflammation of the joints.
So, when combined, "rheumatoid arthritis" essentially means "inflammation of the joints caused by excessive flow of bodily fluids".
Similar spelling words for RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
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