Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) commonly starts affecting the smaller joints initially, such as the ones connecting the fingers to the hands and the toes to the feet. As the disease progresses, symptoms frequently spread to larger joints, including the wrists, knees, ankles, elbows, hips, and shoulders. In most cases, the symptoms manifest in the same joints on both sides of the body.
RA symptoms typically begin when individuals are around 30 years old, but it can take until their 60s for the disease to fully develop. Smoking cigarettes can significantly increase the risk of developing RA, potentially by up to 2.4%. When RA begins after age 60, it is referred to as late-onset RA. This form of RA is usually less severe but can affect larger joints, such as the shoulders. Joint pain, swelling, tenderness, stiffness, redness, and warmth are all ways RA can affect the joints.
It’s essential to consult a doctor if you start experiencing early symptoms of RA, which can include bodily pain and weakness. Over time, additional symptoms like joint swelling may develop. Fatigue is another common symptom, characterized by extreme tiredness or a lack of energy and motivation, affecting individuals physically, emotionally, or mentally. Fatigue associated with RA tends to be more intense than that caused by a lack of sleep.
RA is categorized into different stages, with Stage 1 being early-stage RA. This stage is marked by joint pain, stiffness, or swelling, and inflammation inside the joint, causing the tissue to swell. The disease can begin at any age, but the likelihood increases with age, peaking among adults in their sixties. Women are more likely to develop RA than men, with new cases being two-to-three times higher in women. Additionally, genetics play a role, as those born with specific genes are more susceptible to RA.
RA is a chronic disease leading to severe inflammation of the joints, potentially affecting their appearance and function. In the hands, RA can cause deformities in the finger joints, making hand movements challenging.
Mayo Clinic
Early RA Signs
Verywell Health
Healthline
Verywell Health
Healthline
CDC
Johns Hopkins Medicine
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