Arthritis is a disease that involves a wide range of conditions – in fact, more than a hundred different illnesses. However, the top two of these illnesses are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis with the latter being more common and it is closely followed by rheumatoid arthritis. However, rheumatoid arthritis is more severe and so requires careful study – especially regarding rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.

Distinguishing Signs

By understanding the common rheumatoid arthritis symptoms you or your doctor will be able to tell whether you are affected by rheumatoid arthritis or not. So, look for certain distinguishing rheumatoid arthritis symptoms which include paleness; low grade fever; loss of appetite; limited range of motion; tingling sensations or numbness; reddened skin; inflamed skin; foot and hand deformities; swelling of the glands; and presence of nodules beneath the skin which are round in shape but do not cause pain.

Even inflammation of the lungs (pleurisy) is another rheumatoid arthritis symptom. In any case, rheumatoid arthritis symptoms will vary and may include all or some of the above-mentioned symptoms. It is best to consult a doctor and to inform him or her about the different types of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms that have developed. In fact, rheumatoid arthritis symptoms are also classified as being either inactive or active and in the former case the patient is deemed to be in remission and will often go for long periods of time without noticing any symptoms.

However, the rheumatoid arthritis symptoms may soon flare up once more and typically take the form of fatigue; joint and muscle pain; stiffened joints; low grade fever; loss of appetite as well as redness in the joints as well as swelling, pain and tenderness of the joints. When a flare-up occurs patients will not be able to do their normal daily functions. Without a doubt, you will need to consult a doctor to diagnose the rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and once these have been identified you can then look for proper cure and treatment.

Even if you don’t immediately go to a doctor you should allow others to take care of you. Symptoms are often known to come and go at any time. It is best to get them treated as early as possible. Rheumatoid arthritis treatment, when begun early enough, will go a long way in alleviating much of the pain and discomfort that occurs when the symptoms are ignored or not treated in time. Even though there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis there are nevertheless many treatment options available that can provide relief from the ill effects of various rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.