What Are the Symptoms and Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that not only affects the joints but can also damage a wide variety of body systems, including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, and blood vessels. As an autoimmune disorder, rheumatoid arthritis occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks your body’s tissues.

Blood tests play a crucial role in diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis, as they can detect levels of certain markers that indicate the disease. For instance, a rheumatoid factor blood test measures the amount of rheumatoid factor in a patient’s blood, which, when present in a certain range, can indicate a positive result for rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid factors are proteins made by the immune system that can mistakenly attack healthy tissue in the body. Although high levels of rheumatoid factor are most often associated with autoimmune diseases, they can also be detected in some healthy individuals.

The symptoms of RA can vary from person to person but commonly include joint pain, swelling, and stiffness that may worsen following rest. In addition, patients might experience fatigue, fever, and loss of appetite. As the disease progresses, symptoms often spread to the wrists, knees, ankles, elbows, hips, and shoulders. In some cases, rheumatoid arthritis can lead to physical disabilities.

Diagnosing RA involves taking a medical history, performing a physical exam, and ordering laboratory and imaging tests such as x-rays or ultrasound. The process can be challenging, particularly in the early stages, as symptoms may be mild and only a few signs may be initially evident.

Some individuals with rheumatoid arthritis may also develop rheumatoid nodules, lung inflammation and scarring, blood vessel inflammation, and a lower than normal number of red blood cells, among other complications.

Effective management of rheumatoid arthritis requires a comprehensive approach that includes medication, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. Steps to take for managing RA also involve lifestyle modifications such as exercise, diet, and stress management.

For more detailed information about rheumatoid arthritis, its symptoms, causes, and treatment options, resources from Mayo Clinic, Medical News Today, RheumatoidArthritis.org, Healthline, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, and Arthritis Foundation are available.