Rheumatoid Arthritis : Diagnosis and Symptoms

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by: RayLam
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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. This disease often begins with middle aged individuals and is more common in women than men; however, don't be fooled... rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can also develop in children and young adults.

Unlike osteoarthritis which causes pain and stiffness because the cartilage that normally prevents the bones in the joints from rubbing together is wearing away, rheumatoid arthritis symptoms are caused by an inflammation of the membrane that normally lubricates and protects the joints. In addition to the common symptoms for rheumatoid arthritis, small nodules or lumps may be present under the skin near the joints.

As another significant characteristic of autoimmune disease, rheumatoid arthritis tend to be associated with systemic symptoms, i.e. symptoms appearing throughout the body or the system. These include mild fever, loss of appetite, fatigue and malaise. Medically speaking, these are manifestations of cell discontent when they are (wrongly?) activated.

You may often experience significant stiffness in the morning, in and around the joints, lasting for more than thirty minutes, swelling in the wrists, knuckles, or the individual finger joints. You may also experience a feeling of warmth over the inflamed joints. Rheumatoid arthritis can affect many other joints, such as the jaw, elbows, shoulders, feet and ankles.

Rheumatoid arthritis occurs in a symmetrical pattern, for example if the right knee is affected, then the left knee will be affected also. Although it is quite common for an individual to be more inflamed and affected than another. Extreme fatigue, weight loss, fever, swollen, red and warm joints and an overall feeling of malaise are common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms usually affect both sides of the body at the same time. Sometimes, three sets of joints are affected at a time. Low fever, fatigue, loss of appetite and malaise are the most common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Treating rheumatoid arthritis symptoms typically consists of treating the pain and reducing the inflammation. In most cases the drugs of choice are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or (NSAIDs), but these may have harsh side effects including damage to the stomach lining and kidneys.

Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms typically come and go, sometimes over a person's entire lifespan, and they may range from non-existent or mild to moderate or severe. Different drugs and treatments may be prescribed depending on the severity of the rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and the stage of progression of the disease.

About the Author

Learn more about arthritis foundation and get your limited FREE report on Best Arthritis Cures by visiting http://arthritis-cure-tips.info for free Arthritis Cure and Relief tips and advice.

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<h1>Rheumatoid Arthritis : Diagnosis and Symptoms</h1> <p> 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. This disease often begins with middle aged individuals and is more common in women than men; however, don't be fooled... rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can also develop in children and young adults.<br /><br />Unlike osteoarthritis which causes pain and stiffness because the cartilage that normally prevents the bones in the joints from rubbing together is wearing away, rheumatoid arthritis symptoms are caused by an inflammation of the membrane that normally lubricates and protects the joints. In addition to the common symptoms for rheumatoid arthritis, small nodules or lumps may be present under the skin near the joints.<br /><br />As another significant characteristic of autoimmune disease, rheumatoid arthritis tend to be associated with systemic symptoms, i.e. symptoms appearing throughout the body or the system. These include mild fever, loss of appetite, fatigue and malaise. Medically speaking, these are manifestations of cell discontent when they are (wrongly?) activated.<br /><br />You may often experience significant stiffness in the morning, in and around the joints, lasting for more than thirty minutes, swelling in the wrists, knuckles, or the individual finger joints. You may also experience a feeling of warmth over the inflamed joints. Rheumatoid arthritis can affect many other joints, such as the jaw, elbows, shoulders, feet and ankles.<br /><br />Rheumatoid arthritis occurs in a symmetrical pattern, for example if the right knee is affected, then the left knee will be affected also. Although it is quite common for an individual to be more inflamed and affected than another. Extreme fatigue, weight loss, fever, swollen, red and warm joints and an overall feeling of malaise are common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.<br /><br />Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms usually affect both sides of the body at the same time. Sometimes, three sets of joints are affected at a time. Low fever, fatigue, loss of appetite and malaise are the most common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.<br /><br />Treating rheumatoid arthritis symptoms typically consists of treating the pain and reducing the inflammation. In most cases the drugs of choice are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or (NSAIDs), but these may have harsh side effects including damage to the stomach lining and kidneys.<br /><br />Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms typically come and go, sometimes over a person's entire lifespan, and they may range from non-existent or mild to moderate or severe. Different drugs and treatments may be prescribed depending on the severity of the rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and the stage of progression of the disease. <h2>About the Author</h2> Learn more about <a href="http://arthritis-cure-tips.info/arthritis_foundation.html">arthritis foundation</a> and get your limited FREE report on Best Arthritis Cures by visiting http://arthritis-cure-tips.info for free <a href="http://arthritis-cure-tips.info/">Arthritis Cure and Relief</a> tips and advice. </p>

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