Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis symptoms is like having our own early warning system for RA. Every day in the United States, approximately 15% of the patients seeing a primary care doctor will be there to talk about musculoskeletal pain, joint pain, and limited function of their joints. The problem is, there are several other problems, other than Rheumatoid Arthritis, that can cause the same symptoms. The trick is understanding RA symptoms, so you can get diagnosis and treatment early.
Just ignoring the pain, stiffness, and swelling is not the answer either. RA and chronic type muscuoloskeletal disorders account for a large percentage of the causes of disability and work absenteeism. Sometime, the problems can be life threatening also. No one wants to make needless trips to the doctor, so a little education on the Rheumatoid Arthritis symptoms of concern can really help you.
Adult onset of RA symptoms will manifest itself in the following ways: the arms, legs, fingers, and wrists will often develop painful swelling, inflammation, and stiffness. This problem is very noticeable in the early morning, when awakening, and will usually be happening in both sides of the body at once. The same type of pain and stiffness, without all the swelling and inflammation, may be more indicative of osteoarthritis, but do deserve a doctor’s look. In children, rheumatoid arthritis symptoms include fevers, loss of appetite, anemia, rashes on the arms and legs, and weight loss.
So, when would it be time to call a doctor? Here are some tips on understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis symptoms onset a little better. If the pain, stiffness, and inflammation come on quickly, this should be a red flag for you. Whether you are injured or not, the following list of quick onset of symptoms should influence you to see your doctor. Another good red flag is how you feel when you first get up in the morning. If you notice chronic, ongoing stiffness, pain, and inflammation in your joints, you need to have your physician check it out. In children, you should have a pediatrician check your child if they develop a rash on their armpits, knees, wrists, or ankles. This rash will often be accompanied by intermittent fever, poor appetite, and weight loss. These are typical RA symptoms. Another red flag for adults and children should be that you notice the symptoms on both sides of the body. RA is an auto-immune based disease that typically effects both sides of the body at once. So, RA symptoms will show up bilaterally.
Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis symptoms can help you get appropriate treatment in a reasonable time frame. It may also help save you a trip to the doctor’s office. Don’t take chances, though. RA is a debilitating disease that can cause a lot of ongoing problems, if left untreated.