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Recognizing the Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Over 3 million people suffer from rheumetoid arthritis. It is one of about 8 different arthritic disorders that includes osterarthritis, gout, infectious arthritis and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of inflammatory arthritis and is an auto-immune disorder. It is a "self-attacking-self" disease in which the body's immune system improperly identifies the synovial membranes that secrete the lubricating fluid in the joints as foreign. As a result, rheumatoid arthritis is distinguished by the following symptoms:
-inflammation occurs and may damage or destroy cartilage and tissue
-joint stiffness upon waking that lasts an hour or more
-swelling in finger or wrist joints
-swelling in the soft tissue around the joints
-swelling on both sides of the joints
-fever
-weightloss
-anemia
-sometimes, crippling pain

The swelling can occur with or without pain and can progressively worsen or remain the same for years.

Rheumatoid arthritis typically occurs in people under forty years of age, even including young children. The onset is often associated with emotional or physical stress. Poor nutrition and bacterial infections may also be involved.

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