Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms: Identifying and Managing Flare-Ups

It could be quite distressing if a person experiences pain while performing daily tasks and is unable to move their hands and legs as they normally would. The emotional toll that comes with rheumatoid arthritis symptoms must also be taken into consideration in addition to the physical discomfort. Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms can be treated in a number of ways, but you need to find the one that works best for you. The best way to put rheumatoid arthritis into remission is to diagnose it as early as possible. Let us look at its various symptoms and stages. 

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Signs and Symptoms

Though it usually begins in the joints, rheumatoid arthritis can also affect other organs such as the skin, eyes, heart, kidneys, salivary glands, nerve tissue, bone marrow, and blood vessels. Over time, joint deformities may result from symptoms that vary in severity and alternate between periods of flareups and remissions. Numerous symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis exist, such as 

• Tender, warm, and swollen joints
• Morning stiffness
• Have loss of appetite.
• Experience fatigue and exhaustion. 
• Reducing body weight
• Fever or elevated temperature
• Excessive Perspiration
• Dry, irritated eyes
• Inflammatory chest pain

Hand Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms

The symptoms of RA in the hands can vary but commonly include the following :

1. Pain and tenderness: One of the main symptoms is joint pain, particularly in the wrist, knuckle, and finger joints. The pain could be continuous or get worse when you move or apply pressure. 
2. Swelling: Puffiness in the fingers can be caused by swollen affected joints. Swelling may also cause a feeling of warmth around the joints.
3. Stiffness: Usually, stiff joints are more severe in the morning or after periods of inactivity. This stiffness can last for an hour or more and can make simple tasks difficult.
4. Decreased Range of Motion: The ability to move the fingers and hands may be limited due to pain and stiffness.
5. Redness and warmth: Inflammation can cause the skin over the affected joints to become red and warm to the touch.
6. Joint Deformities: Over time, chronic inflammation can lead to joint damage and deformities, such as swan-neck deformity (bent fingers) or ulnar deviation (fingers pointing away from the thumb).
7. Nodules: Firm lumps of tissue called rheumatoid nodules can form under the skin, often near the affected joints.
8. Weak Grip: It can be difficult to hold objects or perform tasks requiring fine motor skills when hand strength is impaired.
9. Weariness and malaise: Two prevalent systemic symptoms of RA are overall weariness and a depressed mood.

Different Stages of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis  typically worsens gradually, with occasional periods of relief and flare-ups of more intense symptoms. The progression of RA is influenced by factors such as family history, age at diagnosis, the stage of the disease at diagnosis, personal disease triggers, specific antibodies in the blood, and smoking status. Rheumatoid arthritis has four phases. Let us look at their symptoms. 

• Early Stage Rheumatoid Arthritis or Stage 1

Early-stage rheumatoid arthritis usually affects smaller joints first, especially the ones that connect your fingers and toes to your feet. But as the condition worsens, symptoms frequently spread to the elbows, hips, knees, ankles, and wrists. Many people begin to experience stiffness, oedema (fluid retention in tissue), or joint pain. This is the point where the tissue swells because of joint inflammation.

Due to the condition's subtle symptoms and difficulty in diagnosis for medical professionals, many people do not initially recognise they have RA. However, there is a good chance the illness could go into remission if a doctor diagnoses it and you receive the appropriate treatment at this point.

• Stage 2  

This is a moderate-stage case of rheumatoid arthritis, where joint cartilage and bone are being harmed by synovial inflammation. The first tissue to be injured by RA is typically the cartilage, which coats the ends of bones at joints. You may experience increased pain and find it more difficult to move around when cartilage is damaged. You might have trouble bending your fingers and becoming stiff if you have RA.

Even in cases where these symptoms are present, blood tests may not yet show any antibodies against rheumatoid arthritis. Some RA patients may be zero-negative, which means that despite having the illness, they do not have these antibodies.

• Stage 3

When RA reaches stage 3, it is deemed serious. At this point, the cartilage is also affected, and the bones begin to suffer as well. With the cushion between bones wearing down, they start rubbing against each other. More pain and swelling may be experienced, and some people report experiencing muscle weakness and difficulty moving around even more. The bones can get damaged (called erosion), and you might see some permanent changes, like twisted fingers or thick knuckles. Other issues could include compressed tendons in the wrist, leading to symptoms like carpal tunnel syndrome or tendon ruptures.

• Stage 4

At stage 4, the joints no longer function normally, and the inflammation has subsided. This is the final stage of RA. You may experience pain, swelling, stiffness, and decreased mobility even though the inflammation is no longer an issue. Additionally, there may be a decline in muscle strength, joint destruction, and bone fusion (known as ankylosis). Depending on how far RA has progressed and where it’s located, you might lose the ability to use your hands properly or have trouble bending your knees or hips.

Conclusion

Early diagnosis and treatment are important in managing symptoms and preventing joint damage. If you or someone you know is experiencing any symptoms, consulting a healthcare provider for evaluation and management is recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions: 

1. What is the main cause of rheumatism?

There are several potential contributing factors to rheumatoid arthritis, but the exact cause is unknown. These include genetics, age, gender (women are more likely than men to develop the condition), obesity, smoking, and environmental factors.

2. Can you recover from rheumatoid arthritis?

While there is currently no known cure, receiving a diagnosis early on can help you lead a normal life. You can lead a normal life by receiving the appropriate diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and managing its symptoms with the treatments that work best for you. 

3. What is the best thing to do for rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis can be managed in a number of ways, such as by getting enough sleep, engaging in low-impact exercise on a regular basis, consulting a physiotherapist for recommendations on activities that might ease joint pain, or using turmeric, which has been shown to be effective in reducing inflammation.