Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system – which normally protects its health by attacking foreign substances like bacteria and viruses – mistakenly attacks the joints. Unlike the wear-and-tear damage of osteoarthritis, RA creates inflammation that causes the tissue that lines the inside of joints to thicken, resulting in swelling and pain in and around the joints that can eventually result in bone erosion and joint deformity.
If inflammation goes unchecked, it can damage cartilage, the elastic tissue that covers the ends of bones in a joint, as well as the bones themselves. Over time, there is loss of cartilage, and the joint spacing between bones can become smaller. Joints can become loose, unstable, painful and lose their mobility. Joint damage cannot be reversed, and because it can occur early, doctors recommend early diagnosis and aggressive treatment to control RA.
Along with pain, many people experience fatigue, loss of appetite and low-grade fever. The symptoms and effects of RA may come and go. A period of high disease activity is called a flare and can last for days, months or longer. Ongoing high levels of inflammation can cause problems throughout the body and it's organs as well. At this time there is no cure for this disease.
Please help RPF and NRAS today with your contribution. Your donation will ensure that these non profit organizations can continue to support people who live with RA. You can contribute to one (or even both organizations!) if you choose. By clicking on the "Donate Button" under each organization's name, you will be directed to their individual donation pages. Each organization can receive all denominations via credit card, debit card or PayPal. You can also mail checks to their addresses listed on their donation page.
PLEASE NOTE: When donating, I ask that you include in the "Comment Box" on each donation page the words Skydive4RA so that your contribution can be tracked accordingly. For RPF - this box is located under the dollar amount. For NRAS - there is a drop down box that asks why you are donating.......chose "Another Reason", then type Skydive4RA in the next box.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
If inflammation goes unchecked, it can damage cartilage, the elastic tissue that covers the ends of bones in a joint, as well as the bones themselves. Over time, there is loss of cartilage, and the joint spacing between bones can become smaller. Joints can become loose, unstable, painful and lose their mobility. Joint damage cannot be reversed, and because it can occur early, doctors recommend early diagnosis and aggressive treatment to control RA.
Along with pain, many people experience fatigue, loss of appetite and low-grade fever. The symptoms and effects of RA may come and go. A period of high disease activity is called a flare and can last for days, months or longer. Ongoing high levels of inflammation can cause problems throughout the body and it's organs as well. At this time there is no cure for this disease.
Please help RPF and NRAS today with your contribution. Your donation will ensure that these non profit organizations can continue to support people who live with RA. You can contribute to one (or even both organizations!) if you choose. By clicking on the "Donate Button" under each organization's name, you will be directed to their individual donation pages. Each organization can receive all denominations via credit card, debit card or PayPal. You can also mail checks to their addresses listed on their donation page.
PLEASE NOTE: When donating, I ask that you include in the "Comment Box" on each donation page the words Skydive4RA so that your contribution can be tracked accordingly. For RPF - this box is located under the dollar amount. For NRAS - there is a drop down box that asks why you are donating.......chose "Another Reason", then type Skydive4RA in the next box.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
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