If you think you might be suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, the sooner you know for certain, the better off you will be. Many treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis are available and are more effective the earlier you begin using them.
Early symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include a wide range of physical symptoms including tender, swollen or stiff joints, usually in the same joint on both sides of the body. You may also feel tired and have occasional fevers as well as a general sense of not feeling well. Because of these symptoms, daily activities, such as working, enjoying hobbies, or exercising may become difficult. In fact, studies have shown that people with any form of arthritis are less likely to be physically active than those without this condition.
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis (commonly misspelled rumatoid, reumatoid or rhumatoid arthritis) is a form of arthritis in which the body's immune system begins to function abnormally by attacking the joints. This causes swollen, painful joints and fever, many times leading to deformity of the joints. Those between the ages of 20-40 are most commonly diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, with the exception of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, which effects children 16 years of age or younger.
Rheumatoid arthritis is three times more likely to affect women then men, and has been shown to favor North Americans and Europeans at a higher rate than other nationalities. Without treatment rhumatoid arthritis will rapidly degenerate and deform the joints, especially those of the wrists and hands, but also the elbow, shoulder, neck, jaw, feet ankles, knees and hips.
It is commonly reported by rheumatoid arthritis sufferers that the affected joints feel hot, consistent with an inflammatory process occurring in the affected joints. What sets rheumatoid arthritis apart from other arthritic conditions is that it will typically affect the joints symmetrically, that is if you have involvement of your left knee, you will typically also have involvement of your right knee. Another distinquishing mark of rumatoid arthritis is that it will usually not affect the knuckle closest to the fingernail, whereas osteoarthritis, another common form of arthritis, usually favors this joint.
Identifying the early signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis is key to changing the outcome of this disease. To learn more about rheumatoid arthritis treatments, be sure to read What are Your Best Options for Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment?".
