When it comes to rheumatoid arthritis (RA), everyone is different.
Over time, your symptoms might not be the same as those of a friend or neighbor with the same disease. How you feel will depend on things like:
- How far along the RA was when you found out you had it
- How old you were when you got sick
- How bad your illness is
Pain, swelling, and joint stiffness are the main signs of rheumatoid arthritis. It could also cause more typical inflammation and symptoms in other body parts.
Usually, the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis come on slowly over a few weeks. Still, in some cases, they can come on quickly over a few days.
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The signs are different for each person. They could change as time goes on. You might be having a flare when your condition or symptoms gets worse.
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RA Affects the Joints
Most of the time, rheumatoid arthritis impacts the joints. It can affect any joint in the body, but the tiny joints in the feet and hands are usually the first to have problems.
Most of the time, rheumatoid arthritis affects both sides of the body simultaneously and to the same degree. However, this is only sometimes the case.
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Pain
Most of the time, people with RA feel a throbbing and aching pain in their joints. It’s usually worse in the early morning or after being still for a while.
Stiffness
When you have rheumatoid arthritis, your joints may feel stiff. If your hands are affected, for example, you might not be able to bend your fingers or make a fist fully.
Stiffness is often worse in the A.M. or after a period of not doing much.
Morning stiffness caused by osteoarthritis usually goes away within 30 minutes of getting up, but morning stiffness caused by
