Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that, unfortunately, affects over two million people in the United States between the ages of twenty and forty five. This is not to say that those outside of this age bracket are exempt; for there are symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis affecting both children (although cases of these are not common) and the elderly. This disease can also affect all ethnic groups; with women reporting instances of rheumatoid arthritis three times more than men. There are additional factors that may contribute to susceptibility of this disease, such as harmful habits like smoking.  Generally, rheumatoid arthritis is not hereditary, but certain triggers can flare up dormant genes.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disease that can affect even more than simply your joints. Essentially, your immune system malfunctions and starts to attack joints, organs and/or other parts of your body. There is no single precise cause for rheumatoid arthritis, but with regard to the identification, treatment and control of the symptoms of this disease, some significant advances have been achieved. It is important to note that many of the common early symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis can sometimes be mistaken for the flu, and should not be ignored. It is always best to see a healthcare professional if you believe you are ill. Another warning sign on rheumatoid arthritis to keep in mind is that joint pain may not manifest itself until the point where high amounts of inflammation has led to destruction of cartilage.

The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are many and varied. Each person experiences the disease differently; and many may not experience certain symptoms at all. That being said, complaining of pain in the joint is, by far, the most common of them all. Below is a list of the majority of symptoms that affect sufferers of this terrible disease:

1.    Symmetrical joint pain, meaning it affects both sides of the body (both hands instead of just one, for instance).
2.    Stiffness in the morning that continues to exist for at least 30 minutes (generally, individuals can feel the pain especially    after their sleep or after the periods of rest).
3.    Fever (especially at night)
4.    Firm bumps of tissue under the rheumatoid nodules, (these are caused by swollen blood vessels)
5.     Increased fatigue
6.    Joint swelling (particularly in the smaller joints of the hands, wrists and feet),
7.    Tenderness of joints,
8.    Limited mobility in joints
9.    Loss of power in the muscles connected to the affected joints
10.    Muscle aches
11.    Red and puffy hands

There are also symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis that can be called “secondary symptoms”; but this is not to mean that these symptoms are any less uncomfortable to one experiencing this disease.

These can include:

a.    Lack of appetite,
b.    loss of body weight,
c.    Anxiety
d.    Stress
e.    Depression
f.    Inability to sleep
g.    Anemia, (found in over 80% of the patients)
h.    Dry eyes,
i.    Dry mouth,
j.    Malaise,
k.    Neck pain,
l.    Weakness
m.    Tiredness

Over time, the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis can be progressively debilitating. The advanced symptoms that may develop are as follows:

i.    Loss of joint function
ii.    Hand and foot deformities
iii.    Eye problems such as itching and burning
iv.    Numbness of the skin
v.    Chronic fever
vi.    Swollen glands (e.g. the tear and salivary glands),
vii.    Paleness
viii.    Anemia (from the failure of bone marrow to produce enough red blood cells)
ix.    Damage to the lungs and spinal cord may occur
x.    Rheumatoid vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels). Rheumatoid vasculitis can lead to tingling/numbness, infections and skin ulcers.
xi.    In rare cases, the heart and brain can be impacted, leading to heart attack or stroke.

 As it is plain to see, this disease is one that can seriously affect the quality of life of those who live with it each and every day. It is strongly recommended that one seeks to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis early to receive the best possible options to living the type of lifestyle that can allow one to continue normal activities as far as possible.