Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis usually develops gradually over weeks to months. It often begins in the small joints and affects both sides of the body in a similar way. Symptoms may come in flares and quiet periods.

Joint symptoms

• Pain, warmth, swelling and tenderness in joints, commonly the fingers, wrists, knuckles and toes, and later knees, elbows, ankles and shoulders.
• Morning stiffness that lasts more than 30 to 60 minutes, and often much longer.
• Symmetrical involvement, for example both wrists at the same time.
• Reduced grip strength and difficulty with buttons, jars or writing.
• Over time, joint deformity such as finger drifting or swan-neck changes if the disease is not controlled.

Whole-body symptoms

• Tiredness and low energy.
• Low-grade fever and loss of appetite.
• Weight loss.
• Low mood and poor sleep.

Outside the joints

• Firm lumps under the skin (rheumatoid nodules), often near the elbows.
• Dry eyes and mouth.
• Inflammation of the lungs, heart lining or blood vessels in some people.
• Numbness or tingling due to nerve compression, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

When to get urgent help See a doctor quickly for a single very hot, swollen joint with fever, which may be an infection. Seek emergency care for chest pain, shortness of breath, sudden weakness or loss of vision.

Ayurvedic view (interpretive) Amavata is described with stiffness, heaviness, swelling and fatigue. This traditional picture overlaps with RA symptoms but is not a diagnosis.

Remember Persistent joint swelling and long morning stiffness should be checked early, since timely treatment can prevent lasting damage.