Arthritis Cure Information and Tips
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Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms
Most common among early rheumatoid arthritis symptoms is Joint Pain. In the beginning this pain is cyclic and appears to come and go. Over a period of time slowly this pain becomes persistent and patient start feeling fatigue and stiffness. Patient feels stiffness in joints after inactivity, usually in the mornings or after long rest. This stiffness could last for an hour or more.
Rheumatoid Arthritis joint pain is characterized with its bilateral symmetrical nature. Means if one elbow or feet is suffering other elbow or feet also feel same pain. Joints are painful and tender when moved in the beginning but eventually this pain persist even when joints are at rest. This pain may start in few joints first or it may attack several joints. Patient also feels flu like non specific symptoms like persistent fever, weight loss, fatigue or numbness.
Most common joints affected with rheumatoid arthritis are wrists, fingers, elbow, cervical spine i.e. neck, shoulder, hips, knee, ankle and foot. Sometimes rheumatoid arthritis also causes inflammation in eyes, lungs, heart and even in kidneys. In some patients lumps or nodules are formed under the skin due to inflammation of blood vessels (known as rheumatoid vasculitis).
If these Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms are found in children it is termed as Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or Still’s disease. Children suffer with high fever, with swollen painful joints, along with pinkish or grey rashes on the skin.
If this inflammation of joints continues for longer period like several years it can potentially damage the bones, cartilage and other structures of affected joints. This damage is cumulative and irreversible and causes permanent impairment in function. About half of the patients cannot even continue with their jobs causing other social problems. For these reasons patients are strongly advised to proceed with medical treatment as early as possible and after diagnosis patients should practice suggested exercises regularly under the supervision of their physiotherapist.