Signs and Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Any joint pain or stiffness signals rheumatoid arthritis. The early symptoms that herald the onset of rheumatoid arthritis are stiffness in the joints of fingers and toes as well as unusual numbness or tingling sensation in the hands and fingers.
Although rheumatoid arthritis is mainly related to our body joints, 40 percent of patients even experience arthritis that affects the bone marrow, kidneys, heart, lungs, eyes, skin, and nerve tissue.
Causes and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis
When the lining of our joints is attacked by our immune system, it causes rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis cannot be cured, but it can be controlled with treatment and exercise. Most of us do not notice, or sometimes even ignore, the early warning signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis that later escalate and become unbearable.
It is necessary to identify and recognize the early symptoms to effectively control and treat rheumatoid arthritis. Although it is easy to get misled by other signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis
such as fatigue, weight loss, and low-grade fever, one cannot negate other important factors such as chronic pain, swelling and redness in hand, foot, and wrist.
Fatigue
Fatigue of an extreme nature, leading to tiredness, the inability to work, and carry out day-to-day tasks, is the first sign and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis
Weight loss
Sudden unexplained weight loss coupled with fatigue or exhaustion can signal arthritis.
Fever
Never ignore a fever, though it may be a low-grade fever, which is teamed with unexplained weight loss or fatigue.
Tender or swollen joints
The first sign that doctors look for in rheumatoid arthritis is any swelling or tenderness in hands, feet, and wrists. The swelling may be due to the fluid build-up in the joint cavity. The signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis vary for individuals of different ages.
Joint pain
Joint pain can occur due to a thickness of the joint lining tissue or excess fluid build-up, causing pain and inflammation in the area surrounding the joints.
Joint stiffness
Early morning stiffness in joints especially while bending or moving wrists, points to all factors that are responsible for rheumatoid arthritis.
Deformity
This is a rare case of chronic rheumatoid arthritis. Deformity can happen in the later stages of arthritis, i.e., when early signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are ignored, leading to the erosion of cartilage and bone and causing joint deformity.
Limping
When a person limps, it is because the tissues surrounding the hips, knees, ankles, and feet are affected. Rheumatoid arthritis can even go to the extent of damaging one’s ability to walk comfortably on both feet.
Joint redness
While treating arthritis, rheumatologists look for any redness or warmth in the joint areas. The redness can be visible in single or multiple joints. This happens when the capillaries are widened as a result of inflammation surrounding other joints in the same area.
While these signs and symptoms lead to rheumatoid arthritis, the challenge lies in identifying them and getting them treated. As rheumatoid arthritis reaches to an advanced stage, pain and stiffness spread to the shoulders, knees, hips, and other parts of the body, causing extreme discomfort.
