What Are Usually the First Signs of Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. It is caused by the immune system which mistakenly attacks the joints. The immune system usually works for us, causing controlled inflammation which protects us from infections and illness by fighting off bad bacteria, but when an autoimmune disease is in play, the immune system works against us. For those living with rheumatoid arthritis, this results in the breakdown and erosion of the cartilage, synovial membrane and bone of the affected joints. Living with rheumatoid arthritis can be difficult, presenting challenges to mobility and quality of life. As such, early diagnosis is vitally important for ensuring the condition does not deteriorate and to prevent disability. So what are usually the first signs of rheumatoid arthritis? Let’s take a look.
The first signs of rheumatoid arthritis
The first signs of rheumatoid arthritis can be difficult to spot. This is because symptoms often come and go, and may even change over time. They can also be confused with symptoms of other conditions. Below you’ll find details of some of the most common early signs of rheumatoid arthritis to look out for.
Joint stiffness: This is usually worse in the morning and can last anywhere between 30 minutes to a few hours. It can also be experienced if you’ve been sitting for a while in the same position; when you move you may notice you feel stiffer than normal.
Pain and tenderness: These are usually the most significant and noticeable symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and the severity can vary on a daily basis. Pain can be mild or so severe you are unable to touch the joint. With this condition, many people will find that the pain is mirrored on both sides of the body.
Redness and swelling: These symptoms are quite common in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. Redness and swelling around affected joints is caused by the inflammation.
Fatigue: Extreme tiredness is a very common and long-lasting symptom and is caused as a result of the inflammation. In fact, according to the Arthritis Foundation, it is one of the more common symptoms, with one in six people with rheumatoid arthritis reporting they experience fatigue. It can have far-reaching consequences, heavily impacting your quality of life and make day-to-day life more difficult. We all know how challenging even small tasks can feel when we aren’t rested or have had a bad night’s sleep. Unfortunately, getting relief from this is not normally as simple as getting more sleep.
As you can see, these symptoms are quite general which can make it difficult initially to realise anything is wrong – after all, who doesn’t experience tiredness and the odd ache and pain? In the very early stages of the disease, symptoms might come and go and not be enough to get your attention. But the truth of the matter is that early diagnosis is vital in order to maintain a good quality of life, and slow the progression of this degenerative disease. The earlier you spot the signs, the sooner you can get a diagnosis and treatment. Without this, rheumatoid arthritis can lead to long-term pain, loss of mobility and permanent disability.
Even after you’ve had a diagnosis, keeping on top of managing the condition is important. You’ll need to take a type of drug called Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs), which are designed to get inflammatory conditions under control by blocking inflammation. These need to be taken as soon as you experience symptoms or have a flare-up to keep everything at bay and to stop the disease from progressing and causing permanent deformity. Flare-ups can be caused by consuming certain foods, weather changes, stress, and over-exerting yourself.
The complications of rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis has far reaching consequences and complications past the more obvious symptoms. Although it is not very common, it is possible to experience a low-grade fever when you have rheumatoid arthritis. This is usually because the DMARDs suppress the immune system, thereby making you more likely to pick up infections.
According to the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society, around 20% of patients with the condition will develop nodules on the affected joints. These are more commonly found on the hands, wrists, and feet as they are commonly exposed to trauma. The inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis can also develop in other areas of the body, resulting in complications like pericarditis, pleurisy, and vasculitis.
Using exercise to manage symptoms
Although staying active sounds counterintuitive (if your joints hurt why would you want to move them, right?), it’s incredibly beneficial for managing the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. It can help to:
- Keep joints flexible and mobile
- Strengthen the ligaments and muscles that support your joints
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Prevent joints from getting stiff
- Lower risk of heart disease
However, it’s important to exercise in moderation and under the guidance of your physiotherapist. You should avoid any exercise that makes your joints hurt or triggers a flare-up; people often find high impact exercise can make symptoms worse but low impact sports like swimming, strength training, and walking are far more comfortable. Does rheumatoid arthritis hurt all the time?
How to get help if you are concerned you may be exhibiting symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis
It’s not unusual to experience joint pain occasionally. But whether you’re just starting to consider that you might have symptoms, or you know that you have rheumatoid arthritis and are experiencing a flare-up, the most useful step you can take is to seek advice from a rheumatologist. They are specialists in both the musculoskeletal system and in inflammatory conditions, so are ideally placed to evaluate your symptoms, in line with family history, your wider health, and examination, and any test results (blood tests and X-rays), to pinpoint whether your symptoms are the result of rheumatoid arthritis or something else. They will also use this information to rule out other conditions. This private rheumatologist in London is highly skilled in providing accurate diagnoses. Early diagnosis is really key to maintaining your quality of life.
