Rheumatoid arthritis, simply known as rheumatism colloquially, is the most common chronic inflammatory joint disease worldwide. But what does this disease do to the body?
Rheumatoid arthritis causes inflammation in the joints, or to be more precise, the synovial membrane. The synovial membrane swells up as a result of the inflammation, meaning that it presses against the joint capsule that surrounds the joint. Externally visible swelling as well as pain in the join area are the result. As the disease progresses, the inflammation may lead to damage to or even loss of cartilage and bones, and thus cause the joints to become deformed. Rheumatoid arthritis affects women more than men, and they tend to be diagnosed from the age of 40.
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