Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects the small joints in the hands and feet. RA occurs when the body's own immune system inappropriately attacks the lining of the joints in the body, instead of bacteria or other foreign substances. The Mayo Clinic states that rheumatoid arthritis is two to three times more likely to occur in women between the ages of 40 to 60. Furthermore, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons states that RA is not an inherited disease, as it was once thought to be.
Joint Pain
The first sign of rheumatoid arthritis is joint pain, according to the Mayo Clinic. Specifically, rheumatoid arthritis attacks small joints in the body that include the fingers, wrists, hands, toes, ankles and feet. Over time, it can spread to larger joints, such as the elbows, shoulder, hips, knees, jaw and spine. Rheumatoid arthritis patients describe this pain as dull and the joints become tender to the touch. The Mayo Clinic further states that rheumatoid arthritis patients may experience morning stiffness that can last for a few hours.
Joint Swelling
In addition to joint pain, joints may also swell in rheumatoid arthritis patients, the Mayo Clinic says. This occurs because the body's immune system sends signals to small joints that cause fluid to accumulate. This will result in red and puffy joints that are tender to touch. In this case, a rheumatoid arthritis patient should elevate the affected extremities and continue to follow his doctor's treatment plan to reduce swelling in the small joints.
Fever
Fever is a common symptom of rheumatoid arthritis, states the AAOS. Fever occurs because the body's immune system releases chemical signals that increases the body's temperature to result in fever. The patient should avoid taking over-the-counter medication to treat fever. Instead, he should consult his doctor for methods to reduce fever.
Fatigue
The AAOS reports that fatigue is a frequent symptom associated with rheumatoid arthritis. This occurs because a patients' red blood cell count may be lowered during rheumatoid arthritis flare-ups. Red blood cells are responsible for delivering oxygen and other nutrients to the rest of the body. A lack of oxygen and nutrients to certain tissues, especially the brain, can cause a patient to feel fatigued. Therefore, iron supplementation may be necessary for a rheumatoid arthritis patient if red blood cell counts are consistently low.
