It is possible to identify Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) in its early stages if you learn how to recognise the common symptoms of this condition. RA usually starts with one or more symptoms which can change over time with its progression.

RA often starts in middle age, but can also develop in younger people and even children. It causes inflammation of the joint linings (synovium), which results in excessive joint fluid being produced, causing stiffness, pain, characteristic swelling and loss of joint function. In worse cases, it can cause inflammation of the lining of the lungs, heart and surrounding blood vessels. RA can also cause the glands around the mouth and eyes to become inflamed, causing dryness- this is known as Sjogren’s syndrome.

RA can be notoriously difficult to diagnose as symptoms can differ from one person to the other, and can mimic other health conditions such as fibromyalgia. The full range of symptoms which may be experienced tend to develop over a period of time. The most common symptoms to be aware of are;

Joint pain which may come and go; joint stiffness, especially on waking or after a prolonged period of rest; swelling to the soft tissue areas of the joint and unusual feelings of warmth or redness in the joints. Sufferers may also experience feelings of fatigue. One symptom that appears to be typical of RA is joint symmetry pain- that is, if symptoms occur in one of the joints on one side of the body, the same symptoms may occur in the corresponding joint on the other side of the body.

Joints most likely to be affected are those in the hands, fingers and wrists, but RA can attack any joints in the body. As the condition advances, sufferers can develop hard, tender lumps under the skin, known as arthritic nodules. These can vary in size but are not usually painful, although they can occasionally become infected.

If you suspect you may have RA, see your doctor in the first instance. He may refer you for tests and x-rays to diagnose the condition and determine the extent of its progression. Although there is no cure for RA at present, there are a variety of different treatments available to alleviate the symptoms and inflammation, and slow the rate of joint damage. Although it is classed as a chronic condition, symptoms can vary in severity and can come and go, with many people experiencing periods of remission when they are relatively symptom free.

With the right treatment, there is no reason why RA sufferers cannot continue to follow a full and active lifestyle.

Tags: Arthritis Symptoms, Causes Of Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Types Of Arthritis

This entry was posted on Sunday, May 17th, 2009 at 3:19 pm and is filed under Arthritis Symptoms, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Types Of Arthritis. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.