RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS SYMPTOMS
( Rhumatoid Arthritis Symptoms )

Rheumatoid Arthritis symptoms( Rhumatoid arthritis symptoms )effects each person individually, however, the joints are always affected. The inflammation of the joints may fluctuate but generally persists. For some, the disease may be mild with periods of activity where the joints become more inflamed. Others may find that the disease is continuously active and progressively gets worse over time.

About one in 10 people suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis will have a single episode of inflammation followed by a long period where the disease is considered to be in remission. Remission is when there are no Rheumatoid Arthritis symptoms present.

The most common characteristic of Rheumatoid Arthritis is morning stiffness that lasts for at least an hour. This stiffness is often noted to return after remaining motionless for a few moments any time during the day with movement becoming easier after return of motion causes a loosening up effect.

This disease most often affects the joints of the hands, wrists, elbows, knees, ankles and the feet. Larger joints that can also be affected include the shoulders, hips, jaw, and after years the vertebrae in the neck.

Normally RA will strike in a symmetrical pattern, affecting 2 or more different joints on each side of the body. The affected joints may be warm to the touch, swollen, tender, often red and painful causing a person to have difficulty in moving the joint and a loss in range of motion.

These symptoms are caused by inflammation of the lining of the Joint (synovium). If not brought under control through life style changes , alternative treatments , or prescription mediations prescribed by a doctor, destruction of nearby cartilage, bone, tendons and ligaments can follow. This damage causes joint deformity and disability that can be permanent.

Other symptoms of RA include:

- A general feeling of malaise ( the blahs)

- Fever

- Loss of appetite

- Weight Loss

- Muscle Aches

- Loss of energy or weakness

The above mentioned symptoms can occur before the onset of joint pain, leading you to believe you have a flu like virus. Although symptoms generally come on gradually, in a small number of people they appear very suddenly.

About one fifth of people with RA also develop rheumatoid nodules often over bony areas exposed to pressure, such as the elbows. Occasionally these nodules appear elsewhere on the body or internal organs. Nodules are lumps of tissue that form under the skin.

Signs of remission (period when the disease is non active) include:

- Morning stiffness lasts less than 15 minutes
- No fatigue

- No joint pain

- No swelling around the joints

- No pain with motion or tenderness surrounding the effected joints

A person suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis will experience periods when the disease is active (flares) as well as periods of remission.

Nodules vary from person to person, as well our joints are affected differently.

Would you like to share with others how RA has affected you? Care to share a picture of your joints and let others see how this disease has progressed in the early or late stages? The swelling or knarling of the joints can be explained but for some, a visual aid gives clarity that words just can not compare to.

Nodules are a difficult thing to describe, again pictures showing various nodules can help to show what one might expect a nodule to look like and different areas they appear.

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This information is not designed as or intended to be used as medical diagnosis or advice. Patients should consult their physicians about diagnosis and treatment