There are different kinds of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis or RA can be defined as an autoimmune disease that affects and causes joint pain and damage throughout the body. One of the ways you can distinguish between rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis (OA) is that when you have rheumatoid arthritis and you experience joint pain and damage on one side of your body, it’s quite likely that the other side of your body will be affected too. For instance, if the joint on the right side of your arm or leg is affected, your left arm or leg will be affected too.
For the treatment to work best, it’s essential that you get treated as early as possible. That’s why it’s important that you know the signs and symptoms to be on the lookout for. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of rheumatoid arthritis, its signs, and symptoms, home remedies you can use, dietary changes you should make etc.
Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-lasting disease that’s characterized by joint pain and inflammation. Symptoms usually become worse during periods known as flares, while during remission, the symptoms dissolve.
Symptoms of RA include:
- Soreness of the joints
- Stiffness of joints
- Joint inflammation
- Joints losing their functionality
The severity of the pain varies, with some people experiencing worse pain than others. However, if you notice that you have any of these symptoms, don’t ignore them even if they disappear after some time. Make sure to bring this to the attention of your doctor as soon as you can, so that they can start an early treatment plan for you.
