Rheumatoid Arthritis is an auto immune disease, which is characterized by inflammation in the lining of the joints and only affects 1 to 2 percent of the population. Arthritis affects more women than men and the disease usually begin in middle aged individuals. In saying this, children and young adults can also suffer from this disease.

It doesn't matter what age an arthritis sufferer begins to get symptoms the disease is caused by the same thing. The body's own immune system attacks itself. Cells of the immune system that cause the abnormal immune system response travel freely all over the body. The result is a non-localized disease which can affect a number of parts of the body. What starts of as a symptom in one joint of the body soon spreads to a number of joints. In saying that, sometimes a number of different joints can suffer from pain simultaneously.

Looking for early signs of this disease has been researched without a lot of success. As the disease progresses, rheumatoid arthritis symptoms sometimes worsen to the point of joint deformity.

You may often experience significant stiffness in the morning, in and around the joints, lasting for more than thirty minutes. The joints in the fingers are the most commonly affected, and they suffer from swelling that is painful, and also prevents free movement of the hands. A warm feeling can also be felt in the affected joints. Rheumatoid arthritis can affect many other joints, such as the jaw, elbows, shoulders, feet and ankles.

Inflammation around the heart and lungs is a less common symptom of arthritis. Other areas of the body that can suffer from inflammation are the tear and salivary glands. While the early symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are confined to the joints, other systems of the body can also be affected, particularly if it is not treated.

Because the immune system is to blame for the symptoms it doesn't matter if the joints are weight bearing or not, they can all be affected. Also, it usually affects the smaller joints like the elbows, hands, wrists and feet. But there are quite a few exceptions to this.

Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms typically come and go, sometimes over a person's entire life span. The symptoms can be sever in worst cases, but they can also be mild top moderate. Depending on the severity of the disease and its symptoms, these will determine what you are prescribed.