Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease; a disease when, for unknown reasons, the body starts to attack itself.  In Rheumatoid arthritis the attack occurs on the membranes (synovial membranes) of a joint which becomes chronically inflamed – this can cause pain, swelling, morning stiffness, muscle wasting and osteoporosis.  Eventually bone and cartilage is damaged.  [...]