Almost all of us have felt a strange twinge or pain from time to time and wondered what it was. If it is severe enough or continues for a significant period of time, you may start to think that it's a chronic condition. Since there are many treatment options in which early detection is the key to effective treatment, it's important to have your symptoms checked out.

If your symptoms point to rheumatoid arthritis, there are plenty of treatment options available to help you cope with the condition and reduce its effects. How do you know which aches or pains might actually be rheumatoid arthritis symptoms?

When to see a Doctor

Some of the most common rheumatoid arthritis symptoms are joint stiffness, swelling, and pain; joint nodules or hard bumps that appear near joints; fever; weight loss; and fatigue. The stiffness of joints will be most noticeable after you have been still for a long time, such as in the morning. Everyone has some joint stiffness in the morning; however, if it goes along with other rheumatoid arthritis symptoms it may indicate something more serious than regular stiffness.

The swelling and pain of joints are two of the most well-known rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. The intensity of your joint pain will vary based on a number of factors and can vary from day to day. Nodules typically appear near elbows and can be seen when the surrounding muscles are flexed.

The other rheumatoid arthritis symptoms listed are all-over symptoms that affect your whole body. These rheumatoid arthritis symptoms can make it very difficult to carry out your daily activities.

If these rheumatoid arthritis symptoms continue steadily for a week or two and seem to be getting progressively worse, you should see your doctor to have your symptoms checked out. Rheumatoid arthritis can move quickly, and left untreated it can result in joint deformities and problems with vital organs. That is why it is very important to tell your doctor about your symptoms as soon as possible.

Your Next Steps

Some rheumatoid arthritis symptoms may be controlled with the use of drugs such as pain killers and anti-inflammatory drugs. Other drugs may not control symptoms immediately, but they can help to reduce the long-term damage that is done to the joints as well as organs that may be affected by the disease.

Although there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, medical and drug technology have made it possible to treat the symptoms and reduce the effect that rheumatoid arthritis symptoms have on your daily life.