Rheumatoid Arthritis (Noun)
Meaning
A chronic autoimmune disease with inflammation of the joints and marked deformities; something (possibly a virus) triggers an attack on the synovium by the immune system, which releases cytokines that stimulate an inflammatory reaction that can lead to the destruction of all components of the joint.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural processes.
Examples
- Doctors diagnosed the patient with rheumatoid arthritis after analyzing her joints and determining the extent of the damage.
- Research suggests that rheumatoid arthritis may be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors that trigger an abnormal immune response.
- The medications typically used to treat rheumatoid arthritis are designed to reduce inflammation and slow the progression of joint damage.
- The patient's rheumatoid arthritis had advanced to the point where she was experiencing significant pain and limited mobility.
- In many cases, rheumatoid arthritis can be managed effectively with a combination of medications, lifestyle changes, and physical therapy.