It affects 2.5 million Americans. It usually starts between the ages of twenty and fifty, but can start at any age. It most commonly affects the hands, but it can affect any joint in the body. The inflammation begins in the synovial lining and can spread to the entire joint. This type of arthritis is very hard to control and can severely deform joints.
Some people become bedridden, others continue to live life fully.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects the whole body. It can cause weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite, muscle pain, and weight loss. Rheumatoid arthritis can be diagnosed by a blood test. However, some people with RF never develop rheumatoid arthritis. In about one in six people, the disease becomes severe and can shorten life.