Hello and welcome to Health Matters.

I'll be your host. My name is Dr. Michael Chilemi.

And today what we're going to talk about is rheumatoid arthritis.

This is number two in the series on arthritis.

So we are going to talk about the seven critical signs of arthritis that you cannot

afford to ignore. Rheumatoid arthritis can be a stealthy opponent with symptoms that aren't always

clear cut. Rumoratorid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that impacts more than just

joints. In some rheumatoid arthritis cases, they can cause damage to various body parts,

including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, and blood vessels. As an autoimmune disorder, which rheumatoid arthritis is,

the things that happens with rheumatoid arthritis is that the body mistakes,

its cells, it's good cells for bad cells. So the body, the immune system actually

attacks the body's own good cells. Unlike osteoarthritis, which is characterized by wear

and tear, rheumatoid arthritis affects

the lining of the joints, leading to painful swellings.

This inflammation can ultimately cause bone erosions, joint deformities, and the inflammation

associated with rheumatoid arthritis can extend beyond the joints and harm

other parts of the body. While new medications have significantly improved treatment options,

severe rheumatoid arthritis can still lead to physical disabilities. Imagine this. Another morning dawns, but instead of springing out of the

bed, you lie motionless and snared by the very sheets that are meant to comfort you. Every muscle

protests against you, every joint aches, as if you've been through a marathon in your sleep.

Your fingers are stiff, unyielding like rusted gears.

Your feet pulsate with raw, relentless tenderness.

...