| Autoimmune arthritis is caused by abnormalities in the | | | | as twisted fingers or a bent spine. Autoimmune |
| immune system which makes the body to attack its | | | | arthritis causes inflammation which in turn leads to |
| own joints and the connective tissues. Ankylosing, | | | | chronic pains. It can also lead to mobility problems. |
| spondlylitis and rheumatoid are the common forms of | | | | This disease is normally mild in the early stages and |
| this disease. Others are lupus, scleroderma, | | | | therefore it can easily go unnoticed especially in |
| dermatomyositis, polymyositis, takayasu arteritis and | | | | children. If the joints are stiff, sore, swollen and |
| polymyositis. It is important to seek treatment when | | | | tender to touch, it is a sign of the disease and |
| possible because the condition goes untreated for | | | | therefore you should seek treatment. If you |
| sometime it may become difficult to treat. In this | | | | don’t seek treatment, the condition will get |
| condition, the immune system identifies proteins | | | | worse. As the disease progresses, the pain can |
| which are normally present in the body as antigens | | | | become chronic and this can even impair the joints. |
| and then attacks them leading to inflammation and | | | | This disease appears to be genetic in nature and if |
| pain. | | | | you have a history of the condition in the family, you |
| If these attacks are repeated severally, it can lead to | | | | are at an increased risk. Autoimmune arthritis can lead |
| degeneration of not only the joints but also the | | | | to severe degeneration and disability if untreated. |
| connective tissues. This can lead to deformities such | | | | |