Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a systemic inflammatory disease of a chronic nature that is characterized primarily by a pattern of involvement of the synovial joints. The inflammatory process may involve soft tissues such as tendons, ligaments, and muscle, and may invade the bone.

The etiology of the disease is uncertain but suspected causes include immunological disturbances and infectious agents. Hypoxia (lack of oxygen) of the arthritic patient is evidenced by low synovial pO2 levels.

The causes for hypoxia are: Increased metabolic demand for oxygen by an inflamed joint and decrease of blood flow to the joint by raised intraarticular pressure.

HBOT can suppress sterile inflammation due to immunologic factors or microbial infection.

Keywords: Rheumatoid Arthritis treatment