What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis shares many common symptoms with other forms of arthritis. But exactly what is the difference between rheumatoid arthritis from other forms of arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is unique because it is classified as an autoimmune disease. This means that your own immune system is actually responsible for attacking and damaging its own cells and tissues. Instead of protecting its own cells and tissues, your immune system turns on itself.

Simply put, this happens when an individual's immune system produces unique chemicals and cells that are released into the blood stream. These cells then begin to attack body tissues. When your tissues are being attacked, your body responds by producing inflammation and abnormal growth in the synovium. The synovium is the special membrane that lines each joint.

You begin to feel pain in your joints, a common symptom of arthritis.