Common Signs and Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis can be a very seriously inhibitive health issue. Living with rheumatoid arthritis can be difficult as it often affects day to day activities, and can cause even some simple things to be difficult and painful. It is unknown what, exactly, causes it but there are several symptoms to look out for and be aware of. The following are some signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

The most common and, ultimately, primary disabling effect of rheumatoid arthritis is the potentially crippling joint pain many people suffer from when living with RA. Of course, traditional arthritis can be like a precursor for RA as the initial symptoms are fairly similar, but rheumatoid arthritis is a more severe health problem and additional signs and symptoms should be made aware of.

Diminished energy is another typical sign of rheumatoid arthritis. It is common to feel more tired than usual, drowsy, or other similar effects and it is important to be aware of this because if you think you may only have arthritis you could be in a for a rude awakening. Arthritis is fairly common but rheumatoid arthritis is much less so, and if you are experiencing any of these signs and symptoms combined you may want to see a doctor about your condition.

Another typical but harder to spot sign of rheumatoid arthritis is a low, persistent fever, which is sometimes confused with the Flu. Although the fever itself may not feel particularly threatening, if you are experiencing it along with any other known symptoms is could be something to be concerned about.

Joint fatigue may accompany the previously mentioned symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Joint fatigue is a feeling of achiness in your joints, which is often at least somewhat uncomfortable if not downright painful. This symptom is harder to ignore and can be quite obnoxious and preclude you from typical daily activities. There are times when those suffering from joint pain with rheumatoid arthritis would prefer not to get out of bed at all in the first place.

Swollen joints and glands are another unpleasant sign of rheumatoid arthritis. If you experience swollen joints, the effect will be quite extreme and occur fairly regularly. So, if you get a lump in your knee for a few days and then it goes away and doesn’t come back, you can probably attribute it to bumping into the coffee table the other day and discount it as a possible sign you have rheumatoid arthritis. Swollen glands are also going to occur often, so a single day or two of any of these symptoms in conjunction with arthritis does not necessarily mean you need to start panicking. Rheumatoid arthritis begins to look much more likely, however, if you are experiencing multiple symptoms together, and on a frequent, mostly uninterrupted way. If this is the case, you should visit your doctor inquire further about the signs that you may have rheumatoid arthritis.