Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, progressive condition that can be debilitating and painful for sufferers. However, RA can be difficult to diagnose with specialist blood tests needed to confirm the diagnosis.
RA also differs from other forms of arthritis because it is a disease of the autoimmune system where the immune system attacks the healthy tissue in the joints, causing inflammation. The most common symptoms of RA are:
- Painful and swollen joints;
- Stiffness;
- Fatigue and flu-like symptoms.
Other less common symptoms that may appear include:
- Inflammation in other parts of the body, including the eyes;
- Weight loss.
Each individual with RA will present with different symptoms, some more severe than others, because there is no specific pattern to the disease’s progression. The areas of your body most likely to be affected are hands, arms, legs, shoulders and neck but can occasionally cause inflammation in the heart and lungs.
The symptoms may not always be present but when evident, may cause you pain for weeks or months at a time. If you have any or all of these symptoms, you should consult your GP and advise him or her of every symptom, even if you don’t think they are related. Your doctor will refer you to a rheumatoid specialist to confirm the diagnosis via clinical examinations, x-rays, scans and blood tests that look for the presence of specific antibodies in the body.
Early diagnosis and treatment of the condition is essential for your long-term health as the inflammation will cause deterioration of the joints if left untreated. RA is a chronic condition for which there is no cure. Treatment centres on reducing the inflammation in the joints and in pain relief when you suffer a “flare” – the point at which your symptoms are occurring regularly.
Rheumatoid arthritis can strike at any age but usually between the ages of 20 and 45. In children it is referred to as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Women are more likely to develop the condition than men.
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