Rheumatoid arthritis or (RA) is an autoimmune disease that attacks the joints and connective tissue. The result is inflammation that produces permanent damage to the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic syndrome that tends to be progressive and destructive compared to osteoarthritis or (OA), which is more of an age-related disease caused by "wear and tear" of the joints. Unlike osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by inflammation mainly of the joints, but it is a general disease of the body. The type of joint that is chronically affected is the synovial joint. The bones found at a synovial joint are covered with articular cartilage; which reduces friction and absorbs shock. The space between the articulated bones is called the synovial cavity, which is surrounded by a joint capsule. The outer layer of the capsule is called the fibrous capsule and is made up of dense, irregular connective tissue. The inner layer of the capsule is lined with synovial membrane, which is composed of areolar connective tissue with elastic fibers and may also contain adipose tissue. In a healthy joint, the synovial membrane produces synovial fluid. The fluid not only reduces friction and lubricates the joint, but it also provides nutrients and removes debris, waste and microbes. Rheumatoid arthritis affects twice as many women as men. It can develop during childhood, but in most cases it develops between the ages of twenty-five and fifty. Rheumatoid arthritis itself may not be hereditary, but what can be inherited are genes that may make a person more likely to develop the disease, including genes that control the immune system. Normally, the immune system protects your body against foreign proteins like bacteria, fungi, or viruses and it does this by attacking them and producing antibodies. In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system loses its ability to differentiate between these antigens and normal cells in the body. The body begins to attack normal cells by using its plasma cells to produce antibodies called serum rheumatoid factors (RF). Chemical messengers called cytokines control the inflammatory process. One of the key cytokines is called Tumor Necrosis Factor or TNF; which is part of the normal inflammatory process. People with rheumatoid arthritis have been found... middle of paper ...... pneumonia, bone marrow suppression, and, with long-term use, even malignancy. Treatment also includes rest and a nutritious diet. Certain supplements such as fish oils or vegetable oils may be taken to partially relieve some symptoms of Cavezza 7, as they may decrease prostaglandin production. Exercise and physical therapy can restore muscle mass and help preserve range of motion. This is recommended once the inflammation has subsided. Another alternative if medications fail is arthroscopic or surgical synovectomy, which temporarily relieves inflammation. Prosthetic joint replacement is possible, but this significantly reduces functionality. Rheumatoid arthritis affects everyone differently. In most patients, joint symptoms develop gradually over several years. In some people, rheumatoid arthritis can progress quickly. Other people may have rheumatoid arthritis for a limited period of time and then go into a period of remission. More than..