Common Symptoms For Rheumatoid ArthritisRheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disorder with so many variations that it is uncommonly complicated and difficult to diagnose. That's because in the early stages, Rheumatoid Arthritis look like other, less complicated problem. Waking up day after day with stiffness, aches, and strong temptation to dive back under the covers seems like not getting enough rest. Then you notice swollen glands, well it's probably some bug going around the office. Maybe some breakfast will hit the spot. More likely the breakfast hits the trash because your appetite sends strange signals these days. On the way out the door, grab the eye drops or by midday the itchy eyes will take over. It must be due to so much time working on the computer. That makes sense; too much computer time may also be the reason for the wrist pain, early stage of carpal tunnel. None of the symptoms say "serious disease". Each symptom can be explained, or so it seems. But as the joint pain gets worse and these little symptoms creep up for a big time smack down, something says it's more than you thought. When the doctor says it might be Rheumatoid Arthritis that does not even seem possible. And it really sounds off the wall if it happens to a 20-something young adult or to a child. While Rheumatoid Arthritis is found most often in women ages 25-60, it also strikes children and teenagers. Forget what you thought about arthritis, it's not something that happens to older people or the result of an accident or injury. Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that inflames the joints, reduces mobility and may result in deformity. Don't be surprised if both patient and doctor spend time treating individual symptoms before even looking at the possibility of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Here are common symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis that may occur separately or in combinations: * Morning muscle aches and stiffness upon waking * Loss of appetite * Burning or itching eyes * Swollen glands * Reduced range of motion * Joint pain in wrists, knees, elbows, fingers, toes or ankles Beyond those early symptoms, some patients begin to notice small, round bumps mysteriously appearing beneath the skin. Or the skin takes on the look of a bad sunburn, even in the middle of a New England snow storm. Then there is the low grade fever that just does not respond to anything but slowly saps the day's energy away. These are the next level of symptoms for many Rheumatoid Arthritis patients which send them to the doctor begging for relief. Less than 20% of persons with Rheumatoid Arthritis have symptoms that improve with time. What's more likely to happen is that the lesser symptoms give way to more painful and complicated symptoms. As with any chronic, long term condition, early diagnosis is extremely important. Younger patients have a slight edge for improvement with treatment. When the Rheumatoid Arthritis diagnosis is made at older ages, the potential for long term disability is greater. |