Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic and autoimmune disease in which your body attacks the joints in your body. According to MedlinePlus, RA affects more women than men.
Joint Symptoms
According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of RA include joint pain, swelling and tenderness. You may experience morning stiffness and have difficulty moving your body.
Other Symptoms
Other symptoms of RA include weight loss, fever and rheumatoid nodules (palpable bumps under your skin). MedlinePlus also states that you may develop anemia (low red blood cells), swollen glands and pale skin.
Location of Joint Symptoms
According to the Mayo Clinic, RA initially affects the joints in your hands, wrists, ankles and feet. It then moves to larger joints of your hip, shoulders, jaw and neck.
Medications
A wide variety of medications are available to treat RA. Aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs are available at your local pharmacy. Prescription-strength medications include methotrexate and leflunamide. Talk to your doctor to find the best medication for your symptoms.
Surgery
According to the Mayo Clinic, your surgeon can partially or completely replace your affected joints in a surgical procedure called arthroplasty. He can also remove your tendons or stabilize your joints in a fusion procedure called arthrodesis.
Prognosis
According to MedlinePlus, you may still be functional with RA treatment. However, 10 percent of RA sufferers were unable to perform such tasks as eating. Life expectancy for RA patients is shortened by 3 to 7 years.
