Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, often begins with minor symptoms that increase over time. Some RA sufferers have debilitating symptoms, while others have mild symptoms. Finally, this chronic disease waxes and wanes. There may be periods of remission when symptoms subside, and then a flare-up occurs again. Here are some symptoms of Rheumatoid arthritis.
Fatigue
Fatigue is a precursor to many other symptoms. Fatigue may be intermittent and is often accompanied by feelings of illness or depression.
Fever
A low-grade fever can occur during a flare up. The fever is typically less than 100 degrees and is accompanied by joint inflammation or stiffness.
Joint Tenderness and Pain
Pain in the joints can occur while you are moving or while you are at rest. The pain is usually felt on bilaterally in both wrists, feet, hips or ankles.
Morning Stiffness
Morning stiffness often occurs when you are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. The stiffness lasts for a couple of minutes before subsiding. If your stiffness lasts for hours, it may be due to inflammatory arthritis, instead of RA. Morning stiffness does not always occur in the morning. It can occur after any prolonged period of inactivity.
Nodules
Firm lumps that form under the skin near affected joints are called nodules. These nodules can mimic gout and cause pain, reduced motion and redness. The most common areas affected by nodules are the back of your elbows; however, they can also occur in your eyes.
Numbness and Tingling
When inflammation occurs in the joints, it can place pressure on the nerves surrounding the joint. This can cause tingling, numbness or even a burning sensation in the joint. The joints may pop, crack or squeak when moved. These sounds are caused by the damaged cartilage grinding against an inflamed joint.
Reduction in Range of Motion
As inflammation occurs, your ligaments and tendons can become deformed or unstable. When the deformity occurs, some joints may no longer be able to bend or straighten completely, resulting in a limited range of motion.
Stiff Joints
Stiffness often occurs in the joints in hands during the earliest stages of rheumatoid arthritis. Stiffness usually begins slowly and affects multiple joints; however, some people experience stiff joints suddenly.
Swollen Joints
Inflammation in the joints is another sign of rheumatoid arthritis. Joints appear larger than normal and can be warm to the touch. Inflammation can last for days or even weeks at a time. Then, a period of remission occurs.
There are many symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis. If you exhibit any of the symptoms listed above, schedule an appointment with your physician. Because there are no blood tests to definitively diagnose arthritis, your physician may order x-rays and complete a physical examination of your joints to check for redness, warmth and swelling. Because RA mimics other diseases, it is imperative to have any troubling symptoms checked out immediately.
Fatigue
Fatigue is a precursor to many other symptoms. Fatigue may be intermittent and is often accompanied by feelings of illness or depression.
Fever
A low-grade fever can occur during a flare up. The fever is typically less than 100 degrees and is accompanied by joint inflammation or stiffness.
Joint Tenderness and Pain
Pain in the joints can occur while you are moving or while you are at rest. The pain is usually felt on bilaterally in both wrists, feet, hips or ankles.
Morning Stiffness
Morning stiffness often occurs when you are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. The stiffness lasts for a couple of minutes before subsiding. If your stiffness lasts for hours, it may be due to inflammatory arthritis, instead of RA. Morning stiffness does not always occur in the morning. It can occur after any prolonged period of inactivity.
Nodules
Firm lumps that form under the skin near affected joints are called nodules. These nodules can mimic gout and cause pain, reduced motion and redness. The most common areas affected by nodules are the back of your elbows; however, they can also occur in your eyes.
Numbness and Tingling
When inflammation occurs in the joints, it can place pressure on the nerves surrounding the joint. This can cause tingling, numbness or even a burning sensation in the joint. The joints may pop, crack or squeak when moved. These sounds are caused by the damaged cartilage grinding against an inflamed joint.
Reduction in Range of Motion
As inflammation occurs, your ligaments and tendons can become deformed or unstable. When the deformity occurs, some joints may no longer be able to bend or straighten completely, resulting in a limited range of motion.
Stiff Joints
Stiffness often occurs in the joints in hands during the earliest stages of rheumatoid arthritis. Stiffness usually begins slowly and affects multiple joints; however, some people experience stiff joints suddenly.
Swollen Joints
Inflammation in the joints is another sign of rheumatoid arthritis. Joints appear larger than normal and can be warm to the touch. Inflammation can last for days or even weeks at a time. Then, a period of remission occurs.
There are many symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis. If you exhibit any of the symptoms listed above, schedule an appointment with your physician. Because there are no blood tests to definitively diagnose arthritis, your physician may order x-rays and complete a physical examination of your joints to check for redness, warmth and swelling. Because RA mimics other diseases, it is imperative to have any troubling symptoms checked out immediately.