Early warning signs of rheumatoid arthritis 6
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue.
Fatigue, loss of appetite
Before experiencing any other symptoms of RA, people with the disease will feel extremely tired and lacking energy.
In addition, when the joints become inflamed, painful and swollen, the patient’s body will also experience weakness, mild nausea, loss of appetite and sensitivity to smell.
Reduced range of motion
In the early stages of rheumatoid arthritis, the joints are only mildly limited.
Rheumatoid arthritis can cause carpal tunnel syndrome.
Many joints are affected
Initially, RA affects small joints such as the fingers and toes.
Fingers: RA often affects the knuckles, causing hand weakness and loss of dexterity and flexibility.
Wrist: The wrist can be affected early in the disease and this also affects the forearm, the lower part of the arm containing the radius and ulna.
Knees: RA often affects both knees.
Ankles: If RA affects one ankle, chances are the other ankle will be affected as well.
Feet: RA affects the joints of the toes and feet.
Polyarthritis: Arthritis that affects 4 or more joints is called polyarthritis.
Initial symptoms that people with rheumatoid arthritis often experience include: joint pain, swelling, stiffness, redness and heat.
Some possible complications include: vasculitis, causing ulcer-like spots on the skin;
Treatment
Rheumatoid arthritis is more common in women than in men, affecting people between the ages of 20 and 50. However, a small number of children and adults can also get the disease, but it progresses differently than others.
Rheumatoid arthritis that begins after age 60 is called elderly-onset RA or late-onset RA.
There is no cure for RA, but there are many methods to help relieve pain, slow the progression of the disease, and reduce the risk of joint damage and disability.
