Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory chronic disorder, and it affects more than you joints. There are some cases where this type of arthritis could damage a wide variety of body systems, from skin to heart or blood vessels. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that will happen when your immune system attacks its own body tissues by mistake.
If Rheumatoid Arthritis is not treated on time, it can cause joint erosion and it will leave permanent damage. There is a chance that it could affect the internal organs as well. If you are interested in the treatment or how to deal with this type of arthritis, you can visit the rheumatologist in Brisbane like arthritisCARE, and schedule a consultation.
Rheumatoid arthritis can cause a lot of pain
Symptoms
It is important that you know more about the symptoms of different types of arthritis. However, if you feel any kind of pain in your joints, you should always visit a doctor. Only a medical professional can tell you whether you need treatment. Some of the usual symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are:
- Having tender, swollen and warm joints.
- Having joint stiffness that often gets worse when you have been inactive for some time; just like getting up in the morning.
- Fatigue, loss of appetite, and fever.
In early stages of this arthritis, your small joints will be affected first. As the disease starts to progress, you might have other symptoms in your ankles, elbows, knees, wrists, shoulders and hips. More often than not, on both sides of the body, the symptoms can occur in the same joints.
When to see a doctor?
Making an appointment with your doctor is crucial. However, it is also important that you have an open discussion about RA, whether there is anything bothering you or you would just like to learn more about the disease. Your doctor will be able to tell you more about this disease. If you are interested, check out the rheumatoid arthritis specialist near me or search locally.
Causes or RA
Rheumatoid Arthritis will happen when the immune system starts attacking the synovium. The result will be inflammation that thickens the synovium, and that could destroy the bone and cartilage within the joint eventually.
Talk to your doctor about rheumatoid arthritis
Some risk factors include:
- Your sex. Women are more likely to develop RA>
- Family history. If your family member had rheumatoid arthritis, there is a chance that you could as well.
- Smoking increases the chance of having RA.
- RA could happen at any age, but it often begins in middle age.
- People who are overweight, especially women at the age of 55 or younger, are more prone to having RA.
Final word
Rheumatoid arthritis can cause a lot of pain and discomfort, and it is important that you openly discuss this condition with your doctor. It is always better to catch RA at its early stages, so if you feel any pain in your joints, visit your doctor.
