Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group - Whitianga Welfare Organisations
Skip to main content

Made in Whitianga

Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Location

Whitianga
Picture of clasped hands
The Whitianga Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group meets monthly over a coffee to provide support and share experiences about this autoimmune disease.  

Help us get the word out

If you like this page, please share it!

Attachments

  • File Description
    File Size
    File Type
    Downloads
  • Rheumatoid.pdf
    For more information about Rheumatoid Arthritis download this brochure
    500 KB
    4
New members are welcome to join this informal group at one of the monthly coffee meetings.  Please contact Janet  for more information about the next meeting.

Rheumatoid Arthritis - General Information

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.

This creates inflammation that causes the tissue that lines the inside of joints (the synovium) to thicken, resulting in swelling and pain in and around the joints. The synovium makes a fluid that lubricates joints and helps them move smoothly.

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.

Rheumatoid Arthritis can also affect other parts of the body such as the lungs and heart.

To read more information about this disease visit the Arthritis New Zealand website or download the attached pdf.

User comments

There are no user comments for this listing.
Already have an account?
Comments
You will be able to upload media right after you submit your comment.
Proudly Serving the Whitianga Community
Since 2013