Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease.
An autoimmune disease is when your body's immune system attacks and destroys
your body's own tissues. In the case of Rheumatoid arthritis the immune
system is attacking the joints, organs and other parts of the body. The joints become swollen, stiff, and painful. In later stages, the
joints can become deformed. Other areas of your body can also be affected,
including your lungs, heart, blood vessels, and eyes. About 1 percent of the
U.S. population suffers from RA. Typically, it strikes between the ages of
30 and 60, but it can occur at any age.Symptoms of Rheumatoid
Arthritis
Stiffness, swelling, and pain in and around certain joints, especially
after not moving for a while (for example, when waking) Affected joints
typically include hands, fingers, wrists, ankles, feet, elbows, and knees.
Generally, if a joint on the right side of your body is affected, the same
joint on the left side is also affected. Feeling tired and run-down with
swollen lymph glands, a low fever, little or no appetite, and weight loss
Appearance of small bumps under the skin near the affected joints
Here are the major Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.
- Joint pain, there is usually pain in several joints.
- Stiffness in the joints. You will usually see a reduction in the
range of motion of effected joints.
- Inflammation is common around effected joints. Signs of inflammation
are redness, tenderness, and warmth.
- Swelling of effected joints and surrounding areas.
- Small bumps called nodules may appear around effected joints.
Here are some early symptoms that may show up before joint pain begins.
- Fatigue
- Morning stiffness (lasting more than 1 hour)
- Widespread muscle aches
- Loss of appetite
- Weakness
Here are some of the other rheumatoid arthritis symptoms that may show up
as the disease progresses.
- Anemia due to failure of the bone marrow to produce enough new red
cells
- Eye burning, itching, and discharge
- Hand and feet deformities
- Limited range of motion
- Low-grade fever
- Lung inflammation (pleurisy)
- Numbness or tingling
- Paleness
- Round, painless nodules under the skin (usually a sign of more
severe disease)
- Skin redness or inflammation
- Swollen glands
|
