Rheumatoid arthritis has many symptoms. It can cause swelling, stiffness, pain and a warming sensation in the joints affected. Since the first joints that are generally affected by the disease are the smallest ones, RA sufferers usually notice pain in their hands, feet and spine first.
The joints affected by the disease are often times symmetrical. This means that it appears in the same joint or joints on both sides of the body. As the disease progresses, larger joints such as the knees, elbows, hips, shoulders, neck and jaw often affected.
RA causes stiffness in joints, especially after long periods of inactivity. Mobility in the joints affected by the disease can be limited and painful, especially in the mornings. Symptoms can last an hour or more before the patient can gain mobility in their joints upon waking in the mornings. By gently moving the affected area in repetition, the pain and stiffness can be lessened.
Subcutaneous nodules (a feature that is most characteristic of Rheumatoid arthritis), found under the skin that are between a few millimeters to often centimeters in size, can be found on the bony parts of the arms and other areas that are prone to repeated movement and stress.
Other common symptoms can be present through out the entire body and include; malaise, fatigue, morning stiffness, weight loss, loss of appetite, and/or a low grade fever. These symptoms can come and go over a period of time. The pain can also worsen and then lessen in severity. The symptoms may even seem to disappear altogether at times. These inactive periods are referred to as relative remission. When the symptoms begin again, they are known as flare-ups.
