13/05/13

Rheumatoid arthritis - MayoClinic.com

Patient Care

Health Information

For Medical Professionals

Research

Education

Request an Appointment

Find a Doctor

Find a Job

Log in to Patient Account

Give to Mayo Clinic

Enter search term here

Search
Rheumatoid arthritis Basics

Diseases and Conditions

Definition

Symptoms

Drugs and Supplements

Tests and Procedures

Healthy Lifestyle

First Aid

Home

Diseases and Conditions

Rheumatoid arthritis
Basics In-Depth Multimedia Expert Answers Resources
Share on:

Text Size:

Advertisement Print Reprints

Definition Symptoms Causes Risk factors Complications Preparing for your appointment Tests and diagnosis Treatments and drugs Lifestyle and home remedies Alternative medicine Coping and support

Definition
By Mayo Clinic staff Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that typically affects the small joints in your hands and feet. Unlike the wear-and-tear damage of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis affects the lining of your joints, causing a painful swelling that can eventually result in bone erosion and joint deformity.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Controlling Your Arthritis

Subscribe to our Controlling Your Arthritis e-new sletter for tips to manage arthritis.

Sign up now An autoimmune disorder, rheumatoid arthritis occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body's tissues. In addition to causing joint problems, rheumatoid arthritis can also affect your whole body with fevers and fatigue. Rheumatoid arthritis is much more common in women than in men and generally occurs between the ages of 40 and 60. Treatment focuses on controlling symptoms and preventing joint damage.

Symptoms

Mayo Clinic products and services

Book: Mayo Clinic on Arthritis DVD: Mayo Clinic Wellness Solutions for Arthritis Give today to find cures for tomorrow

Mayo Clinic Store

Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. The Mayo Clinic Diabetes Diet lose weight for better health The best arthritis treatments for a more comfortable and active life Improve heart health in just 10 minutes a day Heartburn, ulcers, IBS? Try Mayo Clinic on Digestive Health

Free E-newsletter
Subscribe to Housecall
Our w eekly general interest e-new sletter keeps you up to date on a w ide variety of health topics.

See Also
Arthritis

References
1. Handout on health: Rheumatoid arthritis. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://w w w .niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Rheumatic_Disease/default.asp. Accessed Sept. 16, 2011. 2. O'Dell JR. Rheumatoid arthritis. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2011. http://w w w .mdconsult.com/das/book/body/191371208-2/0/1492/0.html#. Accessed Sept. 16, 2011. 3. Mercier LR. Rheumatoid arthritis. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2011: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2011. http://w w w .mdconsult.com/books/about.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..C20090-38600-6--TOP&isbn=978-0-323-05610-6&about=true&uniqId=230100505-53. Accessed Sept. 16, 2011. 4. Schur PH, et al. General principles of management of rheumatoid arthritis. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 16, 2011. 5. Stone JH. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors: An overview of adverse effects. http://w w w .uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 16, 2011. 6. Kavanaugh A, et al. The locomotor system: Rheumatoid arthritis. In: Bope ET, et al.

Sign up now

RSS Feeds

Try Mayo Clinic Health Letter FREE!

Ads by Google

Cari Rumah/Properti? 140.000+ Listing Rumah & Properti Situs Properti No. 1 di Indonesia.
www.rumah123.com

Promo Paket Frame + Lensa

www.mayoclinic.com/health/rheumatoid-arthritis/DS00020

1/2

13/05/13

Rheumatoid arthritis - MayoClinic.com

Conn's Current Therapy. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2011. http://w w w .mdconsult.com/books/about.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4377-0986-5..C20090-38984-9--TOP&isbn=978-1-4377-0986-5&about=true&uniqId=236797353-5. Accessed Sept. 19, 2011. 7. Schur PH, et al. Nonpharmacologic and preventive therapies of rheumatoid arthritis. http://w w w .uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 19, 2011. 8. Hints, tips, gadgets and resources. In: Lorig K, et al. The Arthritis Helpbook. 6th ed. Cambridge, Mass.: Da Capo Press; 2006. Accessed Sept. 19, 2011. 9. Weisman MH. Total joint replacement for severe rheumatoid arthritis. http://w w w .uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 19, 2011. 10. Get the facts: Rheumatoid arthritis and CAM. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/RA/getthefacts.htm. Accessed Sept. 19, 2011.

Promo Paket Frame + Lensa Dapatkan Frame + Lensa Kacamata Hanya Rp 165.000. Pesan Sekarang!
www.optikmelawai.com

Tips Mandi Ala Selebriti Lux, Sabun Dengan Aroma Glamour Hadirkan Aura Bintangmu Sekarang !
www.lux.com

Punya Account Facebook? Cari Tahu Apa Pengaruh Facebook Untuk Kesehatan Anda. Cek Di Sini!
www.zelenaplus.com

Nov. 2, 2011

DS00020

1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

New Lipid Profile & Panel Complete, accurate CHO & TG profile on 20 fractionations - LipoSearch
www.lipo-search.com/eng/

Bridge Bearings & Joints Bearings & Expansion Joints for Bridge & Highway Construction
www.rjwatson.com

Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit organization and proceeds from Web advertising help support our mission. Mayo Clinic does not endorse any of the non-Mayo products and services advertised. Advertising and sponsorship policy Advertising and sponsorship opportunities

About this site Blogs Site map

Site help Podcasts

Contact us Slide show s

E-new sletter Videos Interest-Based Ads

Reprint permissions

Find Mayo Clinic on

Facebook Privacy policy (Updated Aug. 10, 2012) Tw itter YouTube

Terms and conditions of use policy (Updated Aug. 2, 2011)

LEGAL CONDITIONS AND TERMS OF USE APPLICABLE TO ALL USERS OF THIS SITE. ANY USE OF THIS SITE CONSTITUTES YOUR AGREEMENT TO THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF USE.

1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved.

We comply w ith the HONcode standard for trustw orthy health information: verify here.

www.mayoclinic.com/health/rheumatoid-arthritis/DS00020

2/2