It is Important to Know the Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis - By: jameeodpra

If you think you might be developing rheumatoid arthritis, talking to your doctor is the first step you should take. Your doctor will run blood tests to know for sure if you do have rheumatoid arthritis. Also, he'll evaluate you to see if you show the early stage symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Early Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthitis

Early symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis can occur at any age, but most often it begins between the ages of 25 and 55. Older people are commonly affected by this disease. Women suffer from rheumatoid arthritis much more frequently than men. The symptoms, both type and intensity can vary quite a bit.

Here are some early symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, although some of these will occur in people in the early stages, they are not necessarily only associated with the early stages:

œ Joint swelling
œ Pains and aches in the joints.
œ Red irritated skin
œ Limited range of motion
œ Stiffness, especially in the morning that last for hours
œ Tingling and/or numbness in joints
œ Weight loss resulting from loss of appetite
œ Muscle aches
œ Fatigue

The early symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are usually slow and progressing, with fatigue, morning stiffness which lasts more than an hour, spreading muscular aches, loss of appetite, and weakness. Sooner or later, joint pain appears with warmth, swelling, tenderness, and stiffness of the joint after stillness.

The joints of the extremeties are most commonly affected. Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms affect the larger joints at more advanced stages of the disease. When the synovium becomes inflamed, it produces more fluid and the joint becomes swollen. Later, cartilage is damaged by the inflammation, and even the underlying bone can be affected. This joint destruction begins 1-2 years after the appearance of the early symptoms for rheumatoid arthritis.

The heart can also be affected by rheumatoid arthritis. The disease affects and inflames the heart lining. Ultimately, the disease can result in congestive heart failure. Inflammation of the lining of the lung called pleuritis, can also lead to fluid accumulation, and leads to shortness of breath. Eye complications include inflammation of various parts of the eyes.

Since many of early rheumatoid arthritis symptoms can be subtle and look like other conditions, you should see a doctor if you believe you might be suffering from the disease.

If your early symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include joint pain, you may be able to treat the pain with anti-inflammatory nutrients. A promising anti-inflammatory nutrient that has been getting a lot of media coverage because of its assuring benefits for people with rheumatoid arthritis is the fish oil supplement.

Combating these early symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis is not learned overnight, however knowing the possible early signs of the disease can save you from the severe symptoms later.

About the Author

Learn to recognize symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis early. Later stage rheumatoid arthritis symptoms can be reduced if the condition is treated early.

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