Numbness and tingling affecting the hands and feet may be an early sign of RA. These symptoms are caused by inflammation in the joints that can cause nerve compression, resulting in loss of sensation.
In the early stages of RA, a person may notice they are having trouble bending their wrist back and forth. As the disease progresses, damage to the joints can affect ligaments and tendons, making it hard to bend and straighten them. It is common for people affected by RA to experience symptoms in the same joints on both sides of the body. While this symmetry is typical, it is not the case for everyone with the condition. RA results from a problem with the immune system.
In people with RA, the immune system mistakenly attacks the cells in the lining of their joint, resulting in inflammation of the joints, making them swollen, stiff, and painful.
People who have RA will have some periods where they experience no symptoms and other times when the symptoms flare up. Currently, there is no cure for RA, but proper treatment and moderate exercise may help reduce flares. If RA is left untreated, the joints, cartilage, and bones in affected areas can become damaged. It is important to tell a doctor or medical professional when RA symptoms change or get worse, as it may be a sign of complications developing.
If left untreated, RA can damage the joints, the surrounding cartilage, and the nearby bones, leading to joint deformities. Untreated RA can also lead to firm lumps developing on or near the joints called rheumatoid nodules. These nodules are a visual characteristic that people often associate with the condition. Doctors do not know what triggers the immune system to attack the joints in the bodies of people with RA. However, there are some factors that researchers know to increase the risk of being affected by the condition:.
There are also some factors that researchers have found to decrease the risk of RA. These include:. A person experiencing the early signs and symptoms of RA should go to see a doctor. A doctor can help to diagnose the condition and recommend appropriate treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis reduce the likelihood of experiencing complications from the condition.
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A diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is based on your symptoms, a physical examination and the results of x-rays, scans and blood tests. It can be difficult to diagnose because there isn't a test that can prove you definitely have it. There are also quite a few conditions that have the same symptoms. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and do a physical examination. They will look for swollen joints and check how well your joints move.
Rheumatoid arthritis can affect different parts of your body at once, so it's important to tell your doctor about all the symptoms you've had, even if they don't seem to be related. If they think you have rheumatoid arthritis, they will refer you to a rheumatologist and may arrange blood tests to help confirm a diagnosis. There's no single blood test that can confirm you have rheumatoid arthritis. However, there are a few tests that can show possible signs of the condition.
Some of the main tests are outlined below. A sample of your red blood cells are put into a test tube of liquid. The cells are timed to see how long they take to get to the bottom of the tube. If the cells sink faster than usual, you may have levels of inflammation that are higher than normal. Rheumatoid arthritis is just one possible cause. This test can show if there is inflammation in your body.
It does this by checking how much CRP there is in your blood. If there is more CRP than usual, you may have inflammation in your body. A full blood count measures the number of red blood cells you have. These carry iron around your body, and a low number of red blood cells means you have a low iron content. This may mean you have anaemia an-ee-me-er and is common in people with RA, although having anaemia doesn't prove you have RA.
About half of all people with rheumatoid arthritis have rheumatoid factor in their blood when the condition starts. However, around 1 in every 20 people without rheumatoid arthritis also test positive for rheumatoid factor. There is another antibody test called anti-CCP that you can take. People who test positive for anti-CCP are very likely to get rheumatoid arthritis. However, not everyone that has the condition has this antibody.
Scans may be used to check for joint inflammation and damage. These can be used to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis and to check how the condition is developing.
There are a variety of treatments available for rheumatoid arthritis. The earlier that intensive treatment is started, the more likely it is to work. Many people with rheumatoid arthritis need to take more than one drug. This is because different drugs work in different ways. Your drug treatments may be changed from time to time.
This can depend on how bad your symptoms are, or because something relating to your condition has changed.
Drugs may be available under several different names. Each drug has an approved name — sometimes called a generic name. Manufacturers often give their own brand or trade name to the drug as well. For example, Nurofen is a brand name for ibuprofen.
Painkillers can help to relieve the pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis, but should not be the only treatment used. There are many types and strengths of painkillers available — some can be bought over the counter from a pharmacy, while some are only available on prescription.
It is important to keep taking your medication during this time. For more information on the types of drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, see our drugs content. Corticosteroids help to reduce the pain, stiffness and inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis.
They're usually used to provide short-term pain relief. Corticosteroids are normally only used in this way because long-term use of corticosteroids can have serious side effects, including weight gain, osteoporosis and thinning of the skin. It can be dangerous to stop steroids suddenly. NSAIDs can be used to help control symptoms of pain, swelling or stiffness. They can be used in combination with painkillers. When your symptoms get worse, this is known as a flare-up.
These can happen at any time, but can happen after you have been stressed or had an infection. It may be that you need to review your treatment. Heated items that could help your joint pain include a hot water bottle or electric heat pad. Wrap these in a towel, then place on a painful joint. You could also try having a hot or warm shower or bath. Other heated items that people have found useful are wheat bag, heat pads, deep heat cream, or a heat lamp.
Make sure these items are warm but not hot, as you could risk burning or scalding yourself. Gentle heat will be enough. A towel should be placed between the heated item and the skin for protection. Check your skin regularly, to make sure it is not burning. Some people find that using an ice pack can help their joint pain.
You can buy one from a pharmacy, or you can make one at home, by wrapping ice cubes in a plastic bag or wet tea towel. You may find it difficult to be physically active in the first place, especially if you are having a flare-up. However, if you find the right activities, help and support, you can be active in a way that suits you. Not keeping active can lead to stiff joints and weak muscles.
It could also cause you to gain weight. As you get used to it, this will get better. However, if a type of exercise always causes a flare-up, it's probably best to find another one. High-impact exercises such as step exercises, or contact sports, such as rugby and football, are more likely to cause problems.
Swimming, walking, gentle cycling and aqua aerobics generally put less strain on your joints. Yoga and tai chi are generally thought to be suitable for those with rheumatoid arthritis. However, there are many different styles, so it is best to check the style is suitable for your condition before you sign up to a class. You should also break up long periods of sitting with light activity, to avoid being sedentary for extended periods.
A physiotherapist can suggest suitable exercises for you and support you in keeping active. People with rheumatoid arthritis should have access to specialist physiotherapy to help manage their condition and improve their fitness, flexibility and strength. You should also have follow-up reviews. Find a physiotherapist on The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy website. You may also find that hydrotherapy helps to ease your symptoms. This involves doing special exercises in a warm-water pool, under the supervision of a trained physiotherapist.
Any member of your healthcare team should be able to refer you to an NHS physiotherapist if they think you might benefit from hydrotherapy. In some parts of the UK, you can also refer yourself to a physiotherapist , who will assess whether hydrotherapy would be suitable for you. Check with your GP or call your local rheumatology department to find out if an NHS physiotherapist in your area will accept self-referrals. It can help to improve the pain in your joints, and you may also find it relaxing.
Ask your doctor or physiotherapist if they think hydrotherapy would be suitable for you. If these problems are left untreated, they can lead to the infections spreading and, eventually, to ulcers forming. It is therefore important to see a podiatrist , who specialises in general foot care.
They can give advice on footwear, information on how to treat foot problems yourself, and can provide special insoles. They can also monitor your foot and general health, and will refer you to a consultant if they find any issues. There may be a podiatrist in the rheumatology department where you receive your care, or you may get a referral to an NHS podiatrist.
GPs can also refer you to community-based services. You can find a private podiatrist on the College of Podiatry website. This occurs when the tissues holding the joint…. Rheumatoid nodules are lumps and bumps that can appear on different parts of the body when you have rheumatoid arthritis. Learn more here. Although psoriatic arthritis PsA and rheumatoid arthritis RA both begin in the immune system, the two conditions are very different.
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Early symptoms Advanced symptoms Additional symptoms Symptoms by body part When to see a doctor Rheumatoid arthritis RA is an autoimmune disorder that causes the chronic inflammation of joints.
Early stage symptoms. Later stage symptoms. Other symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Symptoms by body part. When to see a doctor. What Causes Warm Joints?
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