Autoimmune Disease Awareness Month: Rheumatoid Arthritis
Today, I want to bring awareness to a disorder that a second generation family member of mine is currently suffering from: Rheumatoid Arthritis ( RA ). This chronic autoimmune inflammatory disorder affects the small joints in your feet and hands. What makes this disorder different from other arthritic disorders is that it affects the lining of the joints. This causes swelling and bone erosion. In many cases, it leads to the joints becoming deformed. Rheumatoid Arthritis is classified as an autoimmune disorder because the disorder makes the immune system attack your body's tissues. It's basically a battle of the titans in your body. Every tissue, every molecule, every fiber in your body is the enemy. Your body is fighting against itself. It is not unheard of for Rheumatoid Arthritis to affect various organs of the body, including the lungs, skin, blood vessels, and eyes. Individuals are typically diagnosed after age 40, and the disorder affects women more than men. ...