Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term

autoimmune disorder

that primarily affects

joints

. It typically results in warm, swollen, and painful joints. Pain and stiffness often worsen following rest. Most commonly, the wrist and hands are involved, with the same joints typically involved on both sides of the body.
Preventing Rheumatoid Arthritis: Stop smoking. Lose weight. Limit exposure to pollutants. Get help early.
Symptoms

Difficulty moving toes

or Difficulty moving shoulder

or Joint stiffness

  • Difficulty moving elbow, Difficulty moving wrist, Limited ankle movement, Difficulty moving knee

or Difficulty moving fingers

common

Enlarged fingers

  • With redness

  • In both hands

or Enlarged knee joint

  • With redness

  • In both knees

or Enlarged toes

  • In both feet

  • With redness

or Enlarged wrist

  • Both wrists

  • With redness

or Enlarged elbow

  • Both elbows

  • With redness

or Ankle joint swelling

  • Bilateral

  • With redness

common

Joint pain

  • Elbows

  • In fingers

  • Knees

  • Both sides of the body

  • Recurrent

  • At wrist

common

Fatigue

common

Shoulder pain

  • In one shoulder

  • At rest

common

Weight loss

Fever

  • Less than 38°C (100.4°F)

Trouble walking

Risk factors

Family history of rheumatoid arthritis

Treatment
Methotrexate is usually the first medicine given for rheumatoid arthritis, often with another DMARD and a short course of steroids (corticosteroids) to relieve any pain. These may be combined with biological treatments.
Recommended specialist

If you have Rheumatoid Arthritis, then a visit to a rheumatologist is highly recommended.

Contact a

Rheumatologist

Support

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