Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the synovial lining of the joints, the tissue responsible for producing the fluid that keeps joints lubricated and functioning. This immune attack causes inflammation, swelling, pain, and over time structural damage to the joint itself. Unlike osteoarthritis which is driven by mechanical wear, RA is driven by immune dysregulation. It is not a joint condition that happens to involve the immune system. It is an immune condition that expresses itself in the joints and in many cases in the lungs, heart, eyes, and blood vessels as well. Treating the joints without addressing the immune dysregulation driving the attack is why so many people on RA medication continue to deteriorate.