Arthritis and Me
Rheumatoid arthritis is a complicated disease of the immune system that affects over 2 million Americans. Though its cause is unknown, it is believed that rheumatoid arthritis is caused by an excess of the protein tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a). This TNF-a excess can cause an autoimmune response, damaging healthy tissue and leading to swelling and joint pain. Often, permanent joint damage can occur within the first 12 months.
I now know about Rheumatoid arthritis because I attended an arthritis-awareness fund raising event at Atascadero Lake Park today. In addition to supporting research and funding initiatives directed towards finding a cure for arthritis, I participated in a short raffle along with several hundred other attendees.
Surprisingly, I won something from the raffle! I was sitting on the grass, petting an Australian Shepard dog (adorable, I might add) when I heard my name called! It seems as though I’ll be spending one hour at the Ohana Bodywork & Message Therapy, all expenses paid.
May 12, 2008 at 9:15 am
First question: If Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by an excess of the TNF-a protein, does that mean that lesser amounts will not cause symptoms (below a certain threshold)? Second question: Would a cure require gene therapy, knocking out (or suppressing) the gene that codes the TNF-a protein?