By understanding rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, you could seekdiagnosisandtreatmentearly before more serious complications develop.
Initial Symptoms
What makesrheumatoid arthritisso confounding is that no two cases are alike.
While some will develop gradually with sustained periods of remission, others strike fast and hard.
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The smaller joints are usually the first affected, such as those of the hands or feet.
In cases like these, the symptoms will most often be chronic, progressing gradually but persistently with occasionalflare-ups.
However, this isn’t always the case.
Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Others may have intermittent symptoms that come and go with a certain regularity.
What age range is usually affected by rheumatoid arthritis?
RA can present at any age, but it is more common as a person gets older.
Onset of this disease is most common in adults over 60.
Symptoms of Disease Progression
Rheumatoid arthritisis a chronic, progressive disorder.
Edema, the swelling of tissue because of fluid retention, is also common.
The most common places for RA to start are the hands, wrists, and feet.
However, it doesn’t start there for everyone.
The knees, ankles, shoulders, and elbows are also commonly affected joints.
This means that more than just the joints can be affected in RA.
The long-term complications of RA translate toreduced life expectancy.
Lung Complications
While uncommon, lung-related complications can be life-threatening.
Scleritis is another eye complication due to the inflammation of thesclera(the white of the eye).
Left untreated, scleritis can permanently damage the eyeball, leading to vision loss.
Sleep Problems
Many people with rheumatoid arthritis experience trouble sleeping or sleep interruptions.
More than 80% of those with rheumatoid arthritis report fatigue as one of their symptoms.
Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Don’t let this stop you from taking action if you suspect you have the disease.
What treatment options are available for RA?
However, there are non-medication treatment options as well.
The advantage of an early diagnosis is that it allows you early treatment.
Simply put, the sooner you takedisease-modifying medications, thebetter your long-term outlookis.
This is especially true if you have a family history of rheumatoid arthritis.
Symptoms can progress to joint deformity and systemic issues, affecting the heart, lungs, and eyes.
Treatments range from medications and physical therapy to surgery, with earlier interventions improving long-term outcomes.
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