ARTHRITIC RHEUMATOID DISEASE

SYMPTOMS

Signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis may include:

• Tender, warm, swollen joints
• Joint stiffness that is usually worse in the mornings and after inactivity
• Fatigue, fever and loss of appetite

Early rheumatoid arthritis will in general affect small joints initially, especially the joints that append your fingers to your hands and your toes to your feet.

As the condition advances, symptoms frequently spread to the wrists, knees, lower legs, elbows, hips and shoulders. As a rule, manifestations happen in similar joints on the two sides of your body.

Other non-joint areas affected by rheumatoid arthritis may include the following:

• Skin
• Eyes
• Lungs
• Heart
• Kidneys
• Salivary glands
• Nerve tissue
• Bone marrow
• Blood vessels

DIAGNOSIS

Rheumatoid arthritis can be hard to diagnose in its beginning periods due to the fact that the early signs and symptoms are similar to those of numerous different conditions. There is test that can confirm its diagnosis.

During the physical exam, your physician will check your joints for pain, redness, swellling and warmth. He may likewise check your reflexes and muscle quality.

Tests that may be requested include the following:

• Blood tests such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies
• Imaging tests such as  X-rays, MRI and ultrasound tests

TREATMENT

There is no treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. However, clinical investigations show that relief of signs and symptoms is almost certain when treatment starts right on time with medicines known as disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).

Medications may include the following:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Steroids
• Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
• Biologic response modifiers