It is living at an older age. Thus, although no one can stop you from growing older, doctors can effectively treat RA, as well as diseases that are more common as we age, such as osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and problems of the thyroid and nervous system. That's doing yourself a great disservice. Nonetheless, some diseases do occur with a greater frequency in older people. Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease.
Inflammation characteristically produces heat, pain, redness, and swelling.
It involves certain kinds of cells in the body and is distinct from non-inflammatory diseases. As a direct result of the inflammation, RA destroys cartilage and bone. Besides affecting peripheral joints in the arms and legs, it can affect the neck, but the rest of the spine is not involved. Unfortunately, RA also can increase your risk of osteoporosis because destruction around the joints washes calcium out of the bone. Although some people may get pain, swelling and redness only at the outset of OA, in general, the joints are usually not hot.