Initial Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

The initial symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis may be easily confused with other medical conditions. Many of the symptoms come and go, making it difficult to diagnose in the early stages. A blood test is the most definitive way of determining whether a person has rheumatoid arthritis. Common symptoms for this disease are: fatigue, joint pain, joint swelling, stiffness, flu-like symptoms, small nodules on small joints, appetite loss and weight loss.

To find out whether or not you have rheumatoid arthritis, seek the advice of your primary care physician. He will check for the common physical symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and request a blood test. The blood test will determine whether you have a high erythrocyte sedimentation rate (also known as ESR). In addition, the blood is usually tested for rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide. Occasionally a joint fluid analysis will be done. In this test, the doctor will remove some of the joint fluid with a needle. This is done to rule out any other problems that may be causing joint pain.

The effects of rheumatoid arthritis, if left untreated, can be crippling. The gradual damage to the joints caused by the disease can leave individuals unable to walk or use their hands. In addition, rheumatoid arthritis can cause organ damage. Areas of the body that may be affected by this disease include: skin, lungs, vasculitis, thyroid, salivary glands, nerves and spleen. While there are treatments to help slow the progression of this disease, there is currently no known cure.

An effective treatment plan can be used to help slow the progression of the damage and to alleviate pain. This two-pronged treatment plan is customized for each individual diagnosed with the disease, based on the rate of progression and level of pain. Typically, a patient will be prescribed medications at the lowest possible dosage needed to control the disease. Common medications include: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), analgesics, corticosteroids, anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), biologic response modifiers (BRMs) and anti-depressants. In severe cases, joint replacement surgeries may also be required.

There is no known way to prevent getting rheumatoid arthritis. The disease can occur in men, women and children, though predominantly it is seen in women. The genetic marker, HLA-DR4, appears frequently in persons diagnosed with the disease. This particular marker can be found in 60 percent of the Caucasian population and in 20 percent of other populations. The disease can occur at any time, without warning. Therefore, it is important to see your physician immediately when any of the early symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis appear.