Rheumatoid arthritis causes inflammation and swelling in the joints. The disease can be debilitating, interfering with everyday activities, sometimes even those as simple as opening a bottle. Doctors at the Mayo Clinic report that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is two to three times more likely to affect women than men. The disease typically strikes between the ages of 40 to 60, but can affect children and older adults as well. There is no cure for RA, but once you know if you have rheumatoid arthritis, you can take precautions and learn how to live with the disease.
Step 1
Pay attention to your joints first thing in the morning after you wake up. Mayo Clinic doctors report that RA typically is characterized by morning stiffness that lasts for about 30 minutes and subsides as the day continues.
Step 2
Watch for pain, tenderness and swelling in more than one joint at a time. Rheumatoid arthritis tends to start in multiple joints, particularly in the hands, wrists and feet. Keep a diary to track your symptoms and how long they last.
Step 3
Get a blood test to determine if you have rheumatoid antibodies and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies that are commonly found in people with RA, advise doctors at the Mayo Clinc. Blood tests also may confirm an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate that determines whether you have inflammation in your body.
Step 4
Keep track of times when you feel weak or tired for no reason. Unexplained fatigue is another common side effect of RA, in addition to swollen joints that occur on both sides of the body. A doctor will ask about your fatigue when taking a history to diagnose your symptoms.
Step 5
Determine the level of your RA with X-rays and a magnetic resonance imaging X-ray (MRI). By getting an X-ray when you first suspect you may have rheumatoid arthritis, your doctor will have a baseline to which he can compare your symptoms over time. An MRI is particularly useful in detecting RA in its earliest stages.
Tips and Warnings
- Seek treatment early. Arthritis Foundation doctors report that the earlier you begin treating RA, the better chance you have of reducing the damage to your joints. If pain lingers in two or more small joints for two weeks or more, you should see a doctor for a more definitive diagnosis.
- Rheumatoid arthritis is thought to have genetic links, report doctors at the Arthritis Foundation, but that does not mean you will definitely contract the disease if it runs in your family. Instead, if other family members have RA, you may have a predisposition to getting it. Take preventive measures if RA runs in your family, such as refraining from smoking and staying involved in a regular exercise regimen to keep joints flexible and increase muscle strength that supports the joints.
Things You'll Need
- Diary
- Blood test
- X-rays
