Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease, which means that your immune system mistakes parts of your body for a foreign invader and initiates an attack. In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, your immune system attacks your synovium, the lining of your joints. It can be mild or disabling. It can affect any area or system in the body. You may also experience periods of remissions and flares. While there are some general symptoms of RA, this condition affects everyone differently.
Initial Symptoms
The Arthritis Foundation states that RA usually starts in the smaller joints in the body such as the fingers, toes, feet and wrists. Rheumatoid arthritis can be distinguished from other forms of arthritis in that it usually affects both sides of the body equally. You may develop stiffness that is worse first thing in the morning or after periods of inactivity. Your stiffness may be accompanied by pain and weakness in the affected area.
General Symptoms
Since rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, it can take a toll on your entire body. You may feel fatigued or depressed, develop a low grade fever, experience insomnia, have symptoms similar to the flu, or lose your appetite. Along with the above, your joints may become red, swollen and warm to the touch.
Later Stage Symptoms
According to the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center, as this condition progresses you may be diagnosed with anemia and notice lumps near your joints called rheumatoid nodules. This indicates that your condition is getting worse and can eventually cause deformity in the affected joint. Sjögren's syndrome, a reduced production of tears and saliva, is another complication. The National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society states that the way that RA causes damage to the body is still not well understood. However, it is known that in severe cases the inflammation associated with RA, can affect your heart, lungs and eyes.
