🤲 Rheumatoid Arthritis – When the Body Attacks Its Own Joints By Dr. Kamlesh Agrawal Radha Krishna Critical Care Hospital, Kota & Radha Krishna Memorial Hospital, Baran 🌿 English Section What is Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)? Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own joints, causing inflammation, pain, and damage. Unlike osteoarthritis, it can affect multiple joints symmetrically and may also involve other organs. Common Symptoms: Persistent joint pain and swelling (especially small joints of hands & feet) Morning stiffness lasting more than 30 minutes Warmth and redness around joints Fatigue, weight loss, and fever in some cases Risk Factors: Family history of RA Women are more commonly affected Smoking Middle age (but can occur at any age) Treatment & Management: Medications – DMARDs (Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs), steroids, biologics Lifestyle changes – Balanced diet, avoiding smoking, s...