Alphabet: R

What is rheumatoid arthritis? Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common, autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and pain in multiple joints of the body. An autoimmune disease happens when the body’s immune system, which normally functions to protect against infections, attacks healthy tissues by mistake. In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system attacks the lining of joints

Reactive arthritis refers to pain, stiffness, redness or swelling in a joint resulting from a previous infection. It most often occurs in the joints of the lower limbs (knees, ankles, toes), but can also occur in the upper limbs. Problems may be in the joints only or involve other body systems such as the eyes,

What is Raynaud’s phenomenon? Raynaud’s phenomenon is a condition resulting from clamping down (spasm) of the arteries, usually those in the fingers and toes. Raynaud’s phenomenon frequently occurs when it is cold or when a person is in emotional distress. Hands and feet have fewer large blood vessels and when these arteries spasm, it is