Medical Knowledge 13
Medical Knowledge 13 1. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is indeed an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune diseases occur when the body's immune system, which is responsible for protecting the body against harmful substances like bacteria and viruses, mistakenly attacks its own healthy tissues. In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system primarily targets the joints, leading to inflammation, pain, and damage. In a person with RA, the immune system mistakenly identifies the lining of the joints, called the synovium, as a threat and launches an immune response. This immune response involves the release of various inflammatory substances, such as cytokines, which lead to chronic inflammation in the joints. Over time, this persistent inflammation can result in joint damage, deformity, and functional limitations. While the exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is still unknown, it is believed to involve a combination of genetic and environ...