How to Recognize the Signs and Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory type of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is also classified as an autoimmune disease because certain immune cells malfunction and attack a person's own body.

More than 2 million Americans have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, making the disease the most common type of inflammatory arthritis. Approximately 75 percent of rheumatoid arthritis patients are women. Rheumatoid arthritis typically begins in middle age, but children and young adults can also develop the disease. People of all races and ethnic backgrounds can develop rheumatoid arthritis.

The exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is still unknown but researchers are gaining a better understanding of how the immune system and genetic factors affect the inflammatory processes which cause rheumatoid arthritis to develop. As researchers continue to work on the cause and cure for rheumatoid arthritis, it's important for you, the patient, to recognize the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis so you can:

• consult with a rheumatologist

• get an accurate diagnosis

• develop an early treatment plan

Recognizing Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms

Rheumatoid arthritis usually develops gradually, but some patients experience sudden onset of symptoms; one day they are perfectly healthy and the next they are dealing with rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. Symptoms which are commonly associated with rheumatoid arthritis include:

• Joint pain, joint swelling, joint stiffness, and warmth around the affected joint

• Morning stiffness which lasts one or more hours

• Symmetrical pattern of affected joints, meaning the same joint on both sides of the body is affected (e.g., both knees)

• Small joints of the hands and feet are characteristically involved, although any joint can be affected

• Rheumatoid nodules (firm lumps under the skin), found on elbows and hands of about one-fifth of rheumatoid arthritis patients

• Fatigue and noticeable loss of energy

• Low grade fevers and sometimes flu-like symptoms

• Loss of appetite, weight loss, anemia associated with chronic diseases, depression

• Dry eyes and dry mouth associated with a secondary condition Sjogren's syndrome

• Joint deformity and instability from damage to cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and bone

• Limited range of motion in affected joints

• Flares and remission of disease activity is characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis

• Rheumatoid arthritis may affect more than the joints and have systemic effects (i.e., affects the organs of the body)

Rheumatoid arthritis affects people differently. No two rheumatoid arthritis cases are exactly the same. There is so much variety in symptoms, some researchers suspect rheumatoid arthritis is not one disease but perhaps several diseases with commonalities.

Tips

• Don't ignore pain that persists.

• Don't assume you injured yourself.

• Consult with a rheumatologist, a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating rheumatoid arthritis patients as well as other rheumatic diseases.

• When you consult with your rheumatologist, always discuss symptoms which have improved or worsened, as well as any new symptoms.

_{Sources:
Rheumatoid Arthritis. American College of Rheumatology. <http://www.rheumatology.org/public/factsheets/ra_new.asp?aud=pat> June 14, 2007.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms. Disease Center. Arthritis Foundation. <http://www.arthritis.org/conditions/diseasecenter/RA/ra_symptoms.asp> June 14, 2007.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: Handout on Health. NIAMS. <http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/arthritis/rahandout.htm> June 14, 2007.}